How Big Of A Pot Does A Succulent Need

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.

Size

Choose a pot that is just big enough for the plant to grow in, but not too big. The circumference of the appropriate pot is 5–10% greater than the size of the plant. Choose pots with a maximum excess space around the sides of an inch or two. The delicate roots will spread if the pot is too big before the plant has a chance to develop. There won’t be any room for the roots to spread in a pot that is too tiny.

Style

The ideal pot should not only complement your style and decor but also the physical properties of the plant. Tall pots look excellent with upright-growing succulents, like aloe. Low-growing cultivars, like Echeveria, look fantastic in little pots. Not to mention spillers with trailing growth tendencies like String of Pearls. Spillers in shallow pots or hanging plants look fantastic and grow well.

Material

There are many different types of materials for pots. The most prevalent materials are wood, terracotta, metal, ceramic, and resin. Terracotta or ceramic pots work best for succulent plants. Both of these materials allow for proper air and water circulation because they are both breathable. Just keep in mind that both ceramic and terracotta are weighty, especially after adding soil and plants.

Pick resin or plastic pots for larger plants, especially ones you plan to move around. Your back will thank you for using those lighter pots as you move or reposition plants.

Drainage

Before you plant and cultivate succulents, the most important thing to understand is that they don’t like a lot of water. Even before you develop a watering schedule, this is relevant. Without adequate drainage, water that accumulates at the bottom of a container without anywhere to go may cause root rot in your succulent.

The ideal pots for succulents, regardless of design, are planters with drainage holes in the bottom. Since many succulent planters lack drainage holes, you can use any of them as long as you keep in mind to water succulents sparingly and keep an eye on them frequently.

How can you tell when a succulent requires a larger container?

Succulents are a favorite among home gardeners because to their distinctive colors, odd shapes, and low maintenance requirements.

Succulents are low maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you should plant them and leave them alone. There will probably come a point when your succulent requires a little more care in addition to making sure it gets the right amount of water and sunlight. Your succulent will eventually need to be repotted in order to give it a suitable environment in which to develop and flourish.

Continue reading for four reasons to repot succulents if you’re unsure whether or not yours does.

Roots are growing through the bottom of the pot

Do you notice white roots clogging the drainage holes in the container when you turn your succulent over? It’s time to repot your succulents if the answer is yes. It’s definitely time to repot if roots are the cause of your pot becoming unsteady. A decent rule of thumb is to leave about a 1/2-inch space around the pot’s edge and between your succulents (if you’re using more than one plant in a pot). Although you want to give your succulent some breathing space, a pot that is too large will actually slow down its growth. Additionally, make sure it has drainage holes. Drill a few holes into the bottom if there aren’t any. If you don’t want to drill holes in your pots, adding a layer of stones, like our Hydro stones, in the bottom of your pot is a fantastic alternative drainage method.

The soil dries out too fast

Have you ever noticed that after watering your succulent, the soil is completely dry again after a few hours? This is a clue that your succulent needs to be repotted because the potting soil is no longer suitable. Succulents want soil that drains easily, but they also require soil that remains damp long enough for the roots to absorb the liquid. Make sure to get the best potting medium for your plants when you repot succulents because of inadequate soil. Succulent soil and perlite, both of which are available at your neighborhood garden center, should be mixed in a ratio of 1:1.

Your succulents are top heavy

Your prized succulents need to be replanted if they are leaning or tipping over, which is an evident symptom. This does not necessarily imply that they require a larger pot, though! Some varieties of succulents grow tall while maintaining shallow root systems. Therefore, even though the roots of your succulent are content in its current container, you must repot it due to the top’s weight. In this case, you simply need a heavier pot—no need to acquire a bigger one. Use a hefty clay container or large stones in the bottom of a lighter pot to add weight when repotting your succulents.

Your succulent looks unhealthy

Have you observed that the once-plush and luscious leaves of your succulent are now limp, shriveling, or yellowing? These are symptoms of a sick plant, therefore it’s time to identify the issue and perhaps repot your succulents. If your succulent receives adequate water and light, then you should check for pests, disease, and rot as potential offenders. Examine the leaves of your succulent; if no issues are there, take the plant out of the pot and check the roots. Cut the roots back to where they seem healthy if you notice a problem with them. Repot your succulent after that in a clean container with new soil. Hopefully, your succulent plant will recover quickly after being re-potted.

Succulents—can they be kept in small pots?

Don’t you share Nell and my passion for succulents? By include them in your design, you may add some life and light to a dark spot in your house. And if you pair those succulents with the appropriate container, everyone wins. I put up this collection of 20 compact succulent pots to make your buying easier.

Succulents can thrive for a long time in these little pots because they don’t have extensive root systems. Because succulents don’t like to have their roots maintained consistently wet, it’s preferable if the pots contain a drain hole. Put at least an inch or two layers of stones on the bottom of the pot if there isn’t a drain hole, and reduce the amount and frequency of watering.

Remember that succulents are not low light plants when deciding where to place them. As much natural light as you can provide them with, the better. Check out this post on two incredibly simple techniques to propagate succulents if you already have them and want to grow more of them to plant in your new pots.

Although selecting pots is enjoyable, it may be overwhelming. These are my current favorites among the many different fashions that are available. Even if there are still many options, they are all conveniently located for easy browsing.

There may be affiliate links in this article. Our policies may be found here. Although there won’t be a price increase for you, Joy Us Garden will make a tiny commission.

Can a succulent fit in a pot that’s too large?

It can often be difficult to determine the proper size of pot for your succulents and arrangements. In order to give your succulents some room to spread out and expand, I generally advise allowing about a half-inch between them and the pot’s edge.

Because the roots stretch out before the succulent has a chance to catch up, too much room can actually stop a succulent from growing much larger. A 2.5 inch pot is typically a decent choice if you’re planting a two-inch succulent alone.

You should allow some space around each succulent in your arrangement if you’re mixing many of them so they have room to spread out.

Once completed, a closely packed arrangement like the one below will be stunning and will typically stop the succulents’ growth.

Give your succulents enough “breathing room” so that new growth may occur if you want them to grow bigger and spread out. The optimal ratio is often 1/2 to 1.

You ought to feel better prepared to buy a new pot for your succulent plants today. Even though there are many factors to take into account, picking a pot is still a lot of fun when growing succulents.

It’s time to start potting after choosing the ideal container! For a detailed guide, see my post on potting succulents.

When ought my succulent to be repotted?

Evergreen succulents have always captured my heart. Succulents are low maintenance plants that thrive in containers because to their unusual forms and thick leaves; I have a large collection of these well-liked varieties.

Repotting succulents every two years is a good general rule of thumb, if only to give them access to new, fertile soil. The beginning of a succulent’s growing season is the optimal time to repot it because it provides the plant its best chance of surviving. My gardeners, Ryan and Wilmer, took advantage of the snowy weather earlier this week to repot many succulent plants and propagate a variety of cuttings. Here are some pictures of the steps we took.

In times of drought, succulents, sometimes known as fat plants, store water in their fleshy leaves, stems, or stem-root systems. Because of their eye-catching shapes, succulents are frequently planted as attractive plants.

I needed to repot a few of the succulents in my collection either they had outgrown their pots or I wanted to relocate them into more attractive clay containers.

He stamps my name and the year the pot was produced on the reverse side. When I host big events in my home, they invariably look fantastic.

To aid in drainage, a clay shard is placed over the hole. Additionally, I like using clay pots because they permit adequate aeration and moisture to reach the plant via the sides.

We always keep the shards from broken pots; it’s a fantastic method to use those parts again.

Wilmer carefully takes a succulent from its pot without damaging any of the roots.

Wilmer then conducts a meticulous test to determine if the pot is the proper size for the plant. He picks a pot just a hair bigger than the plant’s original container.

Prills are the name for osmocote particles. A core of nutrients composed of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is covered by the prill’s beige shell.

For the finest drainage, we mix equal parts of sand, perlite, and vermiculite for succulents. The correct soil mixture will also aid in promoting rapid root growth and provide young roots with quick anchoring.

Wait a few days before watering the succulents after repotting to give them time to become used to the new soil.

Wilmer shifts to the following plant. This one too need a little maintenance attention. He picked up any fallen leaves.

In order to promote new development, Wilmer lightly pruned the roots after manually loosening the root ball.

Wilmer inserted the plant into the pot after adding some Osmocote and a little amount of potting soil.

The pale blue-gray leaves of Echevaria runyonii ‘Topsy turvy’ curve upward, are prominently inversely keeled on the bottom surface, and have leaf tips that point inward toward the center of the plant.

Echeverias are among the most alluring succulents, and plant aficionados greatly respect them for their brilliant colors and lovely rosette shapes.

An aeonium is a succulent with rosette-like leaves that grows quickly. Aeonium is a varied genus that includes little or medium-sized plants, stemless or shrub-like, and plants that favor sun or shade.

Succulents should be placed on a table so that they can get enough of natural light even when the sun isn’t shining directly on their pots.

Moreover, propagation is fairly simple. Here, Ryan uses sharp pruners to cut a three to four-inch portion of stem off the mother plant.

There should be about a half-inch of stem showing. A handful of them are ready to be planted here.

Ryan provides plenty of space for the plants. There will be plenty to use in mixed urns during the summer if all of these take root and grow into succulent plants. Four to six weeks following planting, new growth should start to show, at which point each plant should be repotted independently.

Inside my main greenhouse, all of my priceless plant collections are kept on long, sliding tables. They all have such lovely looks. Which succulents are your favorites? Please share your feedback in the spaces below.