Succulents are preferred indoor and outdoor plants and have become popular for their unique look and beauty. While many people have a space in their garden dedicated to succulents, others enjoy having them indoors.
While there is sufficient space for the succulents to grow outdoors in most cases, knowing how big they might get helps one who plans to keep them indoors. The centerpiece succulent decoration or wreath might look off if the plants are not of the height and width you desire.
So, do succulents get bigger?
Yes, succulents do grow and get bigger with time, But, it’s equally important to note that all succulents do not grow big. While some remain miniature, other succulents grow taller and wider. Besides the species of the plant, sunlight and nutritional requirements determine the exact growth rate of the succulents.
In this article, we have talked extensively about the growth rate of succulents to help you choose the perfect varieties for your home.
Do Succulents Get Bigger? (The Shocking Answer)
Yes. Succulents grow. As long as they are alive, succulents continue to grow. Some variety of succulents grows faster than others and thus appear bigger.
The growth rate of succulents is affected by many natural factors, such as light, climate, soil, and moisture; as observed, succulents grow faster and bigger in low light conditions and warm climates.
If you provide succulents with proper nutrition-infused soil, they will grow bigger. Besides these factors, the season also affects the growth rate of succulents.
How big can a succulent get? Do They Overgrow?
If you keep the succulents indoors, they will only grow up to 6 inches as there is little opportunity for light penetration. However, if the succulents get maximum exposure to light, they will get taller through photosynthesis.
Young succulents can live in small pots, but they eventually overgrow them. However, how fast your succulents will overgrow their existing pots depends on the type of succulents and the care you give them.
Factors that affect How Big Succulents Get
If you have a succulent garden, then wish for them to grow, and the bloom is not out of place. To get your succulents to grow bigger, you have to know a few factors that affect their growth.
Species
One of the biggest factors to consider is the species of the plant. For instance, some succulents like echeverias are a smaller breed of succulents, while species like Kalanchoes tend to grow taller. If you are unsure how big a particular succulent will get, it’s best to check with the nursery before buying.
Sunlight
Generally, succulents do well in sunnier conditions. However, some species require low sunlight. Rhipsalis, for example, prefers nooks and crannies and do well with filtered sunlight. Some varieties of succulents prefer the full sun.
Such species typically live in the desert. Since the requirement of sunlight varieties between the different species of plants, ita important to know what your succulents prefer to accelerate their growth rate.
Soil
Like cactus, succulents require soil that drains well. How quickly your soil will drain depends on the potting material you are using. A cactus mixture is often used for a dessert variety of succulents. This potting substance has a coarse texture that drains the water quickly without much pooling. The soil thus remains relatively dry between the watering cycles.
Temperature
Regarding temperature, succulents are quite easy to take care of, as they don’t require temperatures that drop below freezing point. However, how much fluctuations your succulents can bear between the day and night temperature will again depend on their species and size.
Bigger succulents can tolerate night temperatures better. It’s best to keep an overhead lamp or another heat source for smaller succulents during the night.
Moisture
Improper watering is detrimental to succulents. Overwatering is a frequent reason for succulent deaths. It leads to root rot and, of course, impacts the growth rate.
Like overwatering, underwatering is also a common issue. Though these plants can survive without water, they should not be encouraged. Lack of moisture reduces the plant’s growth rate and may never allow it to grow to the desired size of other succulents.
However, short periods of little and no water are completely normal for the succulents, and they adjust to it by going into dormancy, where they do not require a lot of water, but their growth rate is reduced.
Watering schedule
As a rule, succulents do not need a lot of water, but how much they need depends on how dry or humid the place is. It’s a good idea to water the succulents once or twice a week. However, some succulents might require more frequent watering depending on how hot or dry the air indoors gets.
It’s best not to water the plants if the soil is still moist. Moist soil indicates the plant does not require more water and can survive a few more weeks without watering.
Fertilizer
Succulents do not require frequent fertilizing as they adapt themselves well enough, and their roots get the required nutrients from the rain.
However, you may have to give additional nutrients to your succulents if they have not received enough water during the drought resulting in malnutrition. Many plant succulents close together and cover the other parts of the soil with mosses that provide additional nutrients.
Pot size
As noted, succulents growing in smaller pots are more sensitive. If such plants are overwatered, it leads to root rot very easily. However, if they grow too big for their container, they may stop growing due to restricted space for their roots. Thus, moving a mature plant to a smaller space is not advisable unless you want to alter its growth pattern.
It’s best to start planting your succulents in larger pots right from the start, as succulents grow faster and better and bigger pots. Of course, the plants will outgrow their pots and require repotting under the right conditions.
How big do succulents get indoors?
Succulents adapt to their surrounding conditions very quickly by storing water in the form of juice in the leaves and stems of the plant. Thus succulents grow very well indoors and do not require much maintenance.
Most succulents can grow up to 6-12 inches indoors. However, their exact growth rate will depend on the plant variety.
How big do succulents get outdoors?
Under the right conditions, succulents can survive happily outside. However, contrary to popular belief, succulents don’t do well with blasting sunlight.
Most succulents require indirect sunlight for 4-5 hours a day to thrive happily; anything more than that can cause the plants to wilt. If proper conditions are established, succulents can grow up to 7-12 inches outside, depending on the species.
Succulent size chart
While succulents are popular for their low maintenance and beautiful looks, different varieties grow differently. While some succulents may remain short throughout their lives, others grow taller.
Succulents that Grow Tall
Mother of Million
This is an excellent succulent that can grow taller than an average man.
The succulent can grow up to 7 ft tall but spread to only 3 feet.
As for the name of the plant, it has many small pups on its lead that fall to the ground and gives rise to a new plant.
African milk tree
This is another Succulent that reaches great heights. This plant can grow up to two feet tall yearly and grow up to 8 feet outdoors.
Thankfully, it does not grow that tall when placed indoors.
Outdoors the plant blooms red and yellow flowers, which does not happen when the plant is placed indoors.
As for the name, the plant’s milky sap is toxic and causes Amin irritation.
Ocotillo Plant
Unlike most other succulents, the Ocotillo loves the sun and grows up to 10 feet tall, with branches growing up to 15 feet.
The plant features wand-like stems with small spikes.
Overall the plant forms a shrub that keeps our people and animals.
Succulents that Stay Small
Jade plant
Jade plants are an extremely popular variety of succulents that stay small.
This plant features an interesting tree-like form with thick and glossy leaves.
As this Succulent remains short through its lifetime, it looks like a miniature tree.
It can last year at the same height.
Moonstone
The Moonstone Succulent, also known as the Sugar Almond, is a Mexican native.
The plant gets its name from the shape of the leaves,
which are often oval, fleshy, with a pinkish-white hue, and grow in clusters. The leaves feature a significant heft.
Echeveria minima
This one is a small succulent that only grows 3-4 inches wide and is one of the smallest Echeveria.
The leaves on this plant are green with red margins along the borders.
The plant is native to Mexico and grows well in bright indirect sunlight.
How big do mini succulents get?
While the growth rate may be stunted for keeping the plant in a tight spot, mini succulents can grow to their full potential over time once reported to open space. The plant will not be able to attain full growth potential in a tight space; thus, repotting is essential to help them grow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take succulents to get bigger?
There is no standard growth rate for succulents, and how fast they grow depends on the plant species. Some succulents will grow more in 6 weeks, while others might take longer. Typically succulents are slow growers and take their time to bloom.
Do succulents multiply?
Yes, they do. Succulents multiply using various methods that do not require human intervention.
For instance, some succulents can grow from a single leaf. Some succulents shed leaves purposefully so that new plants can grow from them.
Besides this method, succulents multiply through flower stalks, roots, seeds, bulbil, tissue culture, and many other methods.
What is the largest succulent?
African Baobab, scientifically known as the Adansonia digitata, is the largest succulent in the world.
Conclusion:
When it comes to succulents, you have a wide range of options to choose from per your needs. So pick your best and follow the watering and moisture schedule to keep your succulents happy and thriving.
