How Big Do Succulents Grow - Factors That Affect The Size

One type of plant known for its ease of maintenance is succulent. With little water needed, they can survive in hot, dry environments.

Due to the lack of light penetration, indoor succulents can only grow to a height of 6 inches. However, because natural sunlight is so important for photosynthesis and obtaining energy for plant life, exposing your plant to more of it will cause it to grow taller.

How Big Do Succulents Get?

When you first buy succulent plants, they might seem small, but how big do they get over time, and how long does it take?

Succulents grow slowly, so how big they become is determined by the type of succulents they are as well as the amount of light, water, and nutrients that are available.

Smaller varieties typically stay small for a very long time, whereas larger varieties may eventually need to be replanted into something larger if you want to keep them around for a long time.

Big Succulents

Fortunately, a succulent's ability to grow large is not always constrained by its container.

A large variety of plants can grow indefinitely if you are providing the right conditions for them. The following are some of the most common and popular big succulents:

Aloe Vera

The Aloe Vera plant is arguably the most well-liked indoor plant in the world, especially considering how frequently it is employed for medicinal purposes.

Aloe vera naturally spreads out into a large plant, but if you prefer, you can keep it small by trimming any of its excessively long leaves.

In ideal circumstances, it can reach heights of three feet and a width of two feet.

Crassula Ovata (Jade Plant)

Another common large succulent is the jade plant, which is excellent for beginners who want to experiment with growing succulents at home or at the office without making a big commitment.

It blooms tiny white flowers and can reach a height of five feet in ideal circumstances when exposed to enough sunlight.

Aeonium Arboreum

A stunning succulent that resembles a tree is called an aeonium arboreum.

It is a very slow-growing plant that only gets to be about three feet tall, but the large, attractive leaves are worth it.

Euphorbia Trigona (African Milk Tree)

The Euphorbia trigona, despite being technically an African tree, has adapted so well to container living that many people keep them as indoor plants.

If provided with enough sunlight, they are capable of growing up to eight feet tall and four feet wide.

Epiphyllum Oxypetalum (Queen of the Night)

This plant is a succulent to watch out for; it is sometimes called "the most beautiful cactus" because of its large white flowers.

If given enough light, it grows so quickly that it can reach heights of up to 20 feet.

• Also Read: 11 Best String of Succulent Varieties

Small Succulents

Small succulents have a tendency to remain that way for a while, but how big they eventually become is dependent on the amount of water and light they receive.

The following are some of the most common varieties:

Echeveria Minima

The Echeveria Minima is a small, leafy succulent that only grows to be about five inches tall and wide. It is one of the most well-known Echeveria species.

It grows well when planted outside or in containers.

Haworthia Attenuata (Zebra Plant)

Another well-liked small succulent that resembles a miniature aloe vera is the Haworthia Attenuata.

In ideal circumstances, it only grows to a height of about five inches and has dark green leaves with white stripes.

Crassula Capitella (Campfire Crassula)

Beautiful red flowers on the Crassula capitella can reach heights of up to six inches.

It can withstand dry conditions and is great for beginners.

Lithops

A tiny succulent called Lithops (living stones) has the appearance of ground-level rocks!

It can be planted among larger plants or used as a desk decoration because it only gets to be about an inch tall.

Sedum Rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

The Sedum rubrotinctum succulent is called the "Jelly Bean Plant" because its leaves look like little jelly beans!

Even though it only gets to be an inch tall, it thrives in both outdoor plants and containers.

How Big Do Succulents Get Indoors?

Beginners should consider using succulents because it's simple to control how big they can grow indoors.

All your succulents need for growth is a sunny location and enough water.

Move the succulent into more brightly lit areas if the leaves start to turn red or yellow.

If more sunlight is required for succulent containers during the summer, they can be moved outside.

All you need for a small indoor succulent is a nice indoor location with indirect sunlight.

Cut off the top of the stem at an angle if your succulents are growing too tall for their container.

How Big Do Succulents Get Outdoors?

Succulents are the ideal kind of plant to stand out in your garden.

One question you might have is, "How big do they get outside?" when you're trying to create a succulent garden.

The plants you select and the locations in which you place them to increase their size may be influenced by this.

Several variables, including the amount of sunlight they receive, affect how quickly succulents grow.

The best plants to grow outside are cacti because they can withstand the harsh sun and chilly nights that are typical of most climates around the world.

They are ideal for drought-resistant gardens because they can adapt to dry conditions.

If you give cactus plants enough water and lots of sunlight, they will grow relatively quickly over time. If left unchecked, they have the potential to expand to a width of about six feet.

How Big Do Potted Succulents Get?

The number of different plants you have will determine the size of your succulent pot.

The majority of varieties will remain roughly the same size, but some can get considerably bigger than others. Due to their rapid space growth, these are typically not advised for indoor pots!

A succulent should be grown in but not outgrow its container, and this is the ideal size. The pot shouldn't be more than twice as tall as your plant, as a general rule of thumb.

If kept in ideal growing conditions, the majority of succulent plant varieties will maintain a consistent size throughout the year.

If you prefer shorter and bushier succulents, you can reduce their height by a third or even half.

Succulents are extremely low-maintenance plants that can thrive indoors for years without repotting or special attention!

Factors That Affect How Big Succulents Get

How big succulents grow is influenced by a number of factors.

The environment in which they grow is the most crucial element, but there are other things to take into account.

The Size of the Pot

In smaller pots, succulents are often more delicate. They can quickly perish if they are overwatered, which can cause root rot. (Read More: What Is Succulent Root Rot)

Succulents that outgrow their containers, on the other hand, may stop growing as a result of their roots becoming constrained from a lack of room.

Avoid moving an established plant into a small container unless you want its growth pattern drastically or completely changed.

But good luck repotting your infant! If starting with a new variety, start with a larger pot to prevent any issues later on.

Concrete planters made by hand are a great option for succulent lovers because they can be customized to fit almost any space and work well with succulents of all sizes and types.

Watering Schedule

Succulents don't require a lot of water, but how often they do depends on their environment—specifically, how humid or dry it is, as well as where they are located in the house., a sunny window vs. shaded patio).

A good general guideline for watering is once every week or two, with some varieties needing more frequent watering depending on how hot and dry the air gets indoors due to heating/cooling systems during various times of the year.

After a couple of weeks without needing to water them, if your plants still look moist, you may only need to wait another week before giving them a drink. This is because it indicates that even though the plant itself is dry, your potting soil still likely has a good amount of moisture in it.

Light

The majority of succulents prefer a sunny window with a southern exposure, though some can adapt to lower light levels.

Succulents need sunlight, but they also need protection from the heat and sunlight that comes from prolonged exposure to direct (or even indirect) sunlight. This can lead to the death of the succulents.

It's crucial to rotate your plants frequently when growing succulents indoors so that all surfaces get an equal amount of light.

Temperature

Because they don't require temperatures below freezing, succulents are very simple to maintain, but the amount of temperature variation between day and night you can tolerate depends on the type of succulent plant you have as well as how big it has gotten over time.

Smaller varieties might not fare as well during colder nights, especially if there isn't an overhead lamp or another heat source close by.

Consider adding a second grow light close to where your plants are located to provide a little extra warmth if your house gets chilly at night during the winter.

Fertilizer

The majority of succulents don't require fertilization because of their excellent adaptation, which allows their roots to access all the nutrients needed for growth provided by rainfall.

It might be necessary for some varieties, though, if they don't get enough water during dry spells and eventually become malnourished, which has long-term negative effects on their health and growth rates.

Another choice is to plant them close together or cover some of the soil with other plants, like mosses, which, when available, absorb extra nitrogen from the surrounding air as a natural additional nutrient source.

Soil

Cacti and other succulents need soil that drains well, but how quickly depends on the potting substrate you use.

For desert succulents, a cactus mixture is typically advised. In general, it stays relatively dry in between watering cycles thanks to its coarse texture, which allows water to drain without standing underneath for an extended period of time.

If your plant requires more moisture than this, you might want to choose a different option or, if possible, repot it in a different container.

Long periods of time in water are bad for succulents because if their drainage holes aren't big enough, they could rot from the roots up.

Repotting

Succulents don't need a lot of room in their pots, and how frequently you should repot them depends on how quickly they outgrow each pot.

Even if your plants don't seem overly rootbound, it's time to give them a larger planter if they seem crowded in their current one.

The length of time required for this depends on the individual plant because succulents are slow-growing plants.

The ideal time to repot them is before the roots begin to protrude from the drainage holes. You should move your succulents into a larger pot right away if their roots are poking out the bottom of the container, though.

Do Succulents Need Big Pots?

We are frequently questioned in this manner. The plants' potential for outgrowing their containers or encroaching on people's homes is a concern for many. Your succulents can live happily indoors and avoid out-of-control growth as long as you abide by a few basic rules!

Due to their capacity for water storage and lack of extensive root systems, succulents are typically regarded as healthy indoor plants.

They generally take longer to outgrow their pot because they grow slowly, and they don't require a large pot because their root systems aren't very extensive.

Do Succulents Grow Bigger in Bigger Pots?

In a larger pot, succulents do not grow larger, but they do take longer to fill their available space.

In comparison to plants kept in smaller pots, plants that remain the same size may develop roots that spread into a larger container.

It's best to repot your succulents every one to two years.

It's crucial to understand that with succulents, bigger isn't always better! Repotting into a larger pot can cause the roots to quickly become root-bound in an excessively large environment.

Depending on the variety you have and how it grows, you can determine the ideal size for your succulent plant.

How Long Does It Take Succulents to Get Big?

Because each plant species has different requirements for care, it is difficult to estimate how long it will take for a succulent to grow large.

The majority of succulent plants, on the other hand, grow very slowly and can take years to reach maturity.

Aeoniums, which are typically tiny plants with low-growing rosettes, can grow more than a foot per year.

If given the right care, aloe plants, one of the species with a tendency to grow more quickly, will double in size every year.

It is useful to know how long succulents take to grow large when taking care of your plant.

If your plant appears to be small, give it some time before assuming it will grow much larger.

How Fast Do Succulents Grow?

Succulents do not expand quickly in comparison to other plant types. The growth rates of succulents and cacti vary widely, just like in every other aspect of succulents.

Returning to the subject of dormancy, it is important to point out that succulents spend the majority of their growing season when they are not dormant. Typically, the growing season lasts from spring to summer, with dormancy setting in once the temperature drops and the days become shorter.

Succulents can grow as much as possible during their growing season if they are grown in ideal circumstances, which means they receive the proper amount of water and sunlight.

Depending on the species, it may take more than one growing season before you can notice any growth. While some succulents appear to maintain their size for years, others may grow significantly in just a few weeks.

Even within the same species, growth rates can vary between cultivars. Therefore, even if you cultivated two different cultivars in the same ideal conditions, they might not grow at the same rate. In fact, when they mature, they might even grow to different sizes.

What succulents are considered to grow quickly and slowly, then?

Echeveria are regarded as some of the fastest growing succulents, but compared to other types of plants, it may not be that impressive. It's completely reasonable to expect an Echeveria to grow several inches in a year, depending on the specific variety.

Other fast-growing succulents include Graptoveria, Aloe, Sedum, and Kalanchoe. In a year, all of these succulents should show discernible growth.

Succulents that grow especially slowly are at the other end of the spectrum. Common succulents like Haworthia and Gasteria may only grow an inch or two in an entire year. Without photos to show the difference, it may be difficult to even notice this growth.

However, when compared to species like the Saguaro cactus, those succulents might also be regarded as fast growers. A Saguaro can take up to 10 years to grow just one inch. They typically don't bloom until they are 70 years old, and even then, they are usually only 6 to 7 feet tall. They don't reach their full height until they are about 200 years old.

Therefore, succulent gardening is not for the impatient, especially if you enjoy slow-growing succulents like cacti.

Final Thoughts

The environment and genetic makeup of a succulent plant are the two main determinants of its size. The first is concerned with variety, while the second is more concerned with environmental elements like water, light intensity, soil type, temperature, etc.

There is a wide variety of succulent plants to choose from, with sizes ranging from under an inch to over ten feet high! These indoor plants can be kept small or large and are incredibly diverse and simple to grow. Succulents are ideal if you're looking for a great addition to your home decor.