Last Updated on July 5, 2021 by Marco C.
Now you’re thinking of owning a succulent plant. But first how big can succulents grow?
Succulents are lovely plants. They have the most diverse forms, colors, and blooms. The thick and fleshy leaves set them apart from the cacti family. But like the cacti, they are sun-loving plants.
It is very easy to grow succulents. Most of their varieties can grow with little care. With a proper combination of lighting, temperature, and watering technique your succulents can thrive beautifully.
One of the most common questions that people ask is how big do succulents get? The size of the succulent you’re growing is an important consideration. In this article, you will learn how big they can get.
How Big Will Succulents Grow? Succulents Vs. Cactus
Before we go further about how big can succulents grow, let us talk about succulents and cactus. Do not confuse these two plant varieties.
Cacti and succulents are related. Cacti refer to a specific group of plants. Succulents are a broader group that includes cactus. All cacti are succulents. But not all succulents are cacti.
Cacti are generally bigger. They can grow as tall as human beings. You’ve probably seen them in many Hollywood movies. Most of them have thorny, flat large leaves that grow on each other. Succulents are smaller. They have fleshy, thick leaves that form like a flower.
Most cacti grow in the desert. Succulents are now being culture in the homes. If you have a succulent collection, you would also have a cactus in it. There are many cute cacti for collections too. The Barrel Cactus is a thorny barrel-shaped plant that grows only 2 to 3 inches tall. They can fit in cute little pots with drainage holes. Another popular cactus is the Fairy Castle Cactus. It is a slow-growing and flower-bearing cactus that can grow 6 feet high.
The Saguaro Cactus is another cactus that is popular only in the Sonoran Desert. You might find it grown in many homes. It can be grown indoors for the first 8 years but it grows really big afterward reaching up to the roof. This type of cactus is unique because it can leave for 200 years with very little care.
Learn more about: How Long Do Succulents Take To Grow From Seeds
How Big Do Succulents Grow
How big a succulent grows depends on its species variety. Some succulents can remain cute and small throughout their lifetime. Some can grow tall like the Sanseveria Trifascata or Snake Plant. There are hundreds of succulent genres and thousands of known succulent species on earth. Now let’s tackle the most popular succulents and their sizes.
Zebra Plant (Harworthia fasciata)
The Zebra Plant can easily be distinguished through its zebra stripes and spiked dark green leaves. They grow no more than 6 inches. This is why they can make a great indoor plant.
Despite the spiked exterior, the inside of the leaves is smooth. You can grow the Zebra Plant in a wide pot to give more room for new shoots. Expose it for at least 4 to hours to full sunlight for faster growth.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Snake Plants are named after the shape and pattern of their leaves. They look like snakes except that they are green. There are many varieties of snake plants and they can all grow in neglect.
Native to the Western part of the African continent, these plants can grow up to 12 feet. Hence, they would require a significant proportion of space. Snake plants can be grown indoor using large pots with proper drainage holes.
People love this plant because they are known to improve oxygen indoor. They are also popular for their natural air filtration capabilities.
Echeveria
Echeveria is probably one of the cutest succulents you will have in your collection. There are over 150 varieties of echeveria characterized by their flat, fleshy leaves that form like flowers.
Colors can vary from pinkish, greenish, to purplish leaves. Since they are low-growing, they would only develop longer stems in a bid to reach for more light. Their maximum height usually goes above 12 inches.
When grown successfully, you would see Echeveria having a mother rosette which produces multiple baby rosettes that settles against it.
Aloe Vera
Another popular succulent variety is the aloe vera. You can find it in almost every home around the globe.
It is commonly used as an herbal plant to treat burns, acne, psoriasis, and many more. The aloe vera plant can grow as much as 24 inches in height and width. You must find the right pot for this size even when you have it small for the first time.
With proper lighting, temperature, and soil mix aloe vera plants can easily thrive.
Read more about: Aloe vera temperature tolerance: Tips for your succulent to survive the winter
Graptopetalum
The Graptopetalum is a type of perennial succulents. They are often mistaken for Echeveria but their leaves thicker. But like the Echeveria they form rosettes having flat pointed leaves.
Graptopetalums can make beautiful indoor plants. They can grow up to 24 inches tall and 36 inches wide. Caring for graptopetalums is just the same as all succulents. They love well-drained should, infrequent irrigation, full sunlight, and warm temperature.
Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
Burro’s Tail is known for its changing leaves. Native to Southern Mexico and Honduras, these succulents can grow up to 24 inches.
They can be propagated through leaves and cuttings. You can put them in hanging baskets where they fit best. Allow ample space for the long stems which hold its fleshy and engorged leaves. Like other succulents, they don’t need much water. But they love warm temperatures, sunlight, and partial shade.
How big can succulents grow: Why Does It Matter?
Knowing how big succulents grow is important for you to decide the size and type of pots you are going to buy. For slow-growing succulents that do not grow more than 12 inches, you can find a medium-size pot enough to not bury their leaves.
Large succulents also require large pots to fully accommodate their roots. Buying the correct pot size according to the variety of your succulents is crucial to their growth. This also prevents frequent repotting even though it is not time for repotting yet.
