One species of plant recognized for its ease of maintenance is the succulent. They need relatively little water and may live in hot, dry environments.
People frequently use succulents as decorations inside their houses or on their porches since they require relatively little upkeep.
The average height of a succulent is only a few inches, but how big can they get?
Most succulent kinds range in height from six inches to two feet tall on average, but others, like the Elephant Bush and Jade Plant, may grow up to eight feet tall!
In order to avoid choosing a plant that will be too tiny for what you need, it is crucial to understand how big succulents grow before choosing which sorts of plants to put in your house or garden.
Do succulents swell up and expand?
Some succulent species grow more quickly than others, giving them the appearance of being larger than other succulents.
One of the fastest-growing succulents, the Kalanchoe, can grow exponentially large in comparison to other succulents. Within a few weeks, they can develop from cuttings into fully rooted plants.
The Kalanchoe is sometimes regarded as invasive due to the way it spreads. With very little to no work on your side, they can quickly produce additional plants (or pups). In just a few months, a single two-inch Kalanchoe plant can yield dozens of pups and become very large.
The methods a succulent can expand are numerous. Some succulents, like the Haworthia, grow large by making pups, or replicas of themselves. If given ample room, they will continue to spread.
Some succulents develop on their own into enormous plants. One succulent that appears quite small when purchased but can grow into a significantly large plant is the jade plant, or Crassula ovata.
Another large-growing succulent that is better suited to being planted outdoors as a landscape plant is the agave.
How big can you grow succulents indoors?
Once they are fully grown, indoor succulents typically reach heights of 6 inches to 12 feet.
As you can see, there are many different species of succulent plants, and because of this, we have produced a list of the most common succulent plants along with their typical adult sizes.
How long does it take a succulent to become extremely large?
The growth pace of your succulents will depend on where you plan to plant them and the varieties you choose.
For instance, the fastest-growing succulents, like Echeveria, can expand from a 2 inch plant to 6 to 8 inches in just a year, whilst the slowest-growing succulents, like Haworthias, might take up to a year or even longer. to increase in size from 2 to 5 inches.
I mentioned before that I couldn’t generalize about all succulents. It is already known that all succulents require time to mature. However, when considering succulents as a whole, some do develop more quickly than others.
Other factors that might have a big impact on the growth of the succulents include watering, sunlight or lack thereof, the soil they are planted in, and the season.
These plants go through stages throughout the year where they are either actively developing or dormant.
Succulents do not change in size.
Returning to the subject of dormancy, it is important to point out that succulents spend the majority of their growing season while they are not dormant. Typically, the growing season lasts from spring to summer, with dormancy setting in after the temperature lowers and the days become shorter.
Succulents can grow as much as possible during their growing season if they are grown in perfect conditions, which means they receive the proper amount of water and sunlight.
Depending on the species, you might be able to observe growth after just one growing season. While some succulents appear to maintain their size for years, others may expand significantly in just a few weeks.
Even within the same species, distinct cultivars might develop at various speeds. As a result, even if two distinct cultivars were grown in the optimum environment, they might not develop at the same rate. In actuality, they might even mature at different sizes.
Even though echeveria are known for having some of the quickest growth rates among succulents, this may not seem remarkable when compared to other kinds of plants. Depending on the particular type, it is entirely normal to anticipate that an Echeveria will grow several inches in a year.
Aloe, Kalanchoe, Sedum, and Graptoveria are further succulents with rapid growth. Within a year, all of these succulents ought to show growth.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are succulents that grow incredibly slowly. Succulents that are common may barely gain an inch or two in growth in a year, such Haworthia and Gasteria. Without images to show the difference, it may be difficult to even detect this increase.
However, when contrasted to species like the Saguaro cactus, those succulents might also be regarded as quick growers. A Saguaro can take up to 10 years to develop only one inch. They typically don’t blossom until they are 70 years old, and even then, they are typically only 6 to 7 feet tall. Before they turn 200 years old, they haven’t grown to their maximum height.
Therefore, planting succulents is not for the hurried, especially if you enjoy slower-growing succulents like cactus.
Do succulents require larger containers?
Succulents should be planted in pots that are about 10% broader than the plants themselves. Choose the shallow pot whenever the choice is between a deep or shallow pot. The pot’s depth should be 10% greater than the plant’s depth.
Let’s clarify using instances from real life:
- Grab a 2.5 (the best option) to 4 inch pot (the exact maximum size) for optimal outcomes if you have a 2 inch succulent.
- Grab a 4.5 (the best option) to 6 inch pot (the exact maximum size) for optimal results if you have a 4 inch succulent.
Are cacti a decent choice for beginners?
No matter how green their thumb may be, succulents are a remarkably diverse group of plants that have enduring appeal for all gardeners. Even the most ardent grower and collector can remain engaged in succulent collecting because there are practically endless types. Additionally, because of their low maintenance requirements and capacity for reproduction, they are forgiving of novice gardeners still getting the swing of things and are simple to care for.
Are succulents quick-growing?
The growth rates of various succulent species vary. Climate, soil type, irrigation, and fertilizing all affect how big and fast a plant grows. While fast-growing ground cover species like Sedum can spread up to 1″ each month during the growing season, slow varieties will stay neat and compact in a pot.
Go for the Right Variety
The best approach to ensure that your succulents grow large is to select a kind that does so naturally. For instance, you cannot anticipate a haworthia fasciata to be extremely large. Adenium, Aeonium, Euphorbias, Kalanchoes, and a few Echeveria types are some of the greatest plants you can grow.
Choose Succulents that are Easy to Grow
Selecting cultivars that are simple to grow will guarantee their longevity and ease of growth into larger specimens.
Agave, Echeveria, Aeonium, Aloe, Crassula, Faucaria, Haworthia, Kalanchoe, and Sansevieria are a few examples of cultivable species.
Selecting the Right Pot is the Key
Succulents should be kept in a pot that is the perfect size for them—not too huge, not too small. They won’t become bigger and grow more quickly if you plant them in a pot that is too large.
Using a larger pot will result in overwatering, while using a smaller pot will prevent the formation of the roots, slowing the growth of the plant and forcing the succulents to generate more pups.
Follow this guideline
A container with a diameter of 5 to 6 inches will be ideal for a plant with a width of 4 inches. The use of a pot that is the right size gives the plants enough room to grow healthily without crowding the roots.
Locate them at the Right Spot
In order to become larger, choosing the right location is crucial. For optimum growth, the majority of succulent cultivars demand a mix of brilliant indirect light and direct sunlight for a few hours each day.
It is important to understand the needs of the variety you are cultivating. Echeveria, for instance, needs 4-5 hours of sun per day.
An place that receives morning sun and afternoon shade would be ideal for growing succulents in pots.
Additionally, bear in mind that most succulents are not frost-tolerant; as a result, if you live in a region with cold winters, bring plants indoors.
Use the Right Growing Medium
When they are grown in an environment that is advantageous to their growth, succulents expand in size. Succulent potting soil or any other form of well-draining soil maintains the plants healthy and encourages growth.
Do succulents proliferate?
While certain cacti will have baby plants grow along the ribs or leaf margins of the plant, most succulents grow by division. The plantlets can be removed once they are large enough to be handled without difficulty.
What advantages do succulents have?
Seven Advantages of Growing Succulents Indoors
- In every climate, they may enliven a house.
- They could aid in air filtration.
- Your home’s humidity is improved by them.
- They can improve the air quality in your environment.
- They can help you focus better.
- They can make you more tolerant of pain.
- They Strengthen Memory
Succulents purify the air, right?
- They aid in breathing – While plants emit oxygen during the process of photosynthesis, most plants respire at night, generating carbon dioxide. Other plants, such as orchids and areca palms, in addition to succulents, continue to produce oxygen throughout the night. Keep these plants in your bedroom to get a better night’s sleep by breathing in more fresh air as you sleep.
- Succulents, such as snake plants and aloe vera, are great in purifying the air and removing toxins. According to NASA studies, 87 percent of volatile organic molecules can be eliminated (VOC). Because VOCs like benzene and formaldehyde are present in rugs, cigarette smoke, grocery bags, books, and ink, these plants are especially useful in libraries and study spaces.
- They aid in illness prevention. Plant water released into the sky accounts for roughly 10% of the moisture in the air. In your home, the same rule holds true: the more plants you have, especially in groups, the better your ability to increase the humidity and so reduce the likelihood of dry skin, colds, sore throats, and dry coughs. According to a research by Norway’s Agricultural University, offices with plants had sickness rates that were 60% lower. Environmental psychologist Tina Bringslimark explained to The Telegraph: “We looked into how many people reported taking self-reported sick days and contrasted that with how many plants they could see from their desk. There was less self-reported sick leave the more plants they could observe “.
- They aid in concentration – Numerous research on both students and workers have discovered that having plants around while studying or working improves concentration, attentiveness, and cognitive capacities. According to a University of Michigan research, the presence of plants increased memory retention by as much as 20%. Small plants like succulents, which don’t take up much space on your desk, are particularly helpful at the office.
- They promote faster healing – Succulents can help to lessen coughs, fevers, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. Hospital patients who had plants in their rooms needed less pain medication, had lower blood pressure and heart rates, and were less worn out and anxious, according to Kansas State University researchers.
Why do succulents grow in tiny pots?
It may be challenging to choose the right container size for your succulents’ healthy growth. However, a lot of expert gardeners advise using a container that is 10% wider in diameter than your succulent.
For instance, a pot with a 4.5-inch diameter will work best for a fat green that is 4-inches wide. The height of the pot must also be 10% higher than the height of your plants. Your succulents will have enough room to develop healthy if you use the right size pot, without having too much soil or having the roots crowded. Use a small pot, though, if you’re planting cuttings.