The classification “succulent” covers a massive variety of plants from many different species and genera, each with different properties, including growth size. Depending on the succulent you have, your plant may grow quite large or stay rather small. Regardless, all succulents have opportunities for growth as long as they’re given proper love and attention.
Succulents are universally adored for their unique shapes textures and colors. Their versatility and hardiness make them ideal for both indoor and outdoor spaces. But a common question from new succulent growers is – how big can succulents get?
The maximum size a succulent can reach depends on several key factors. While some succulents stay quite small and compact, others can grow into massive statement pieces over time.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore all the elements that affect succulent growth size. We’ll also overview the categories of largest succulent varieties and provide tips for controlling succulent dimensions.
What Influences Maximum Succulent Size?
Many variables impact how big succulents can potentially grow. Here are the main factors that dictate succulent growth potential:
Genetics
The natural genetic programming of the succulent species determines its baseline growth habit and size dimensions. Some are genetically predisposed to remain small, while others can become very large.
Growing Conditions
Elements like sunlight, climate, soil, water, and space greatly affect growth. Succulents attain maximum size when provided ideal growing conditions.
Age
Mature, well-established succulents that are 3-5+ years old will be larger than younger plants. They’ve had more time to reach full maturity.
Pruning
Trimming offsets or leaves curbs growth. Allowing the succulent to grow freely enables it to achieve full size.
Pot Size
Small pots restrict roots and limit size. In the ground or larger pots, succulents can expand roots fully and grow bigger.
Indoors vs. Outdoors
Outdoor succulents have ample sun, space and optimal conditions to become massive. Indoor plants are size-restricted.
Blooming
Removing spent flower stalks directs energy into plant growth rather than seed production.
Species Variations
Different succulent species and cultivars have diverse genetic size limits despite identical care.
Categories of Largest Succulent Varieties
Here are the different categories of succulents that can achieve very large, impressive mature dimensions:
Tall Vertical Growers
- Aeonium – Grows up to 3 feet tall
- Kalanchoe – Exceeds 6 feet tall when blooming
- Echeveria – Reaches 1-2 feet tall
- Snake Plant – Has tall leaves up to 4 feet
- Columnar Cacti – Grow over 6 feet tall
Prolific Spreaders
- Sedum – Spreads up to 2 feet wide
- Sempervivum – Grows spreads up to 18 inches wide
- Aloe – Forms dense clumps 2-3 feet wide
- Hen and Chicks – Spreads over 1 foot wide
Trailing Varieties
- Burro’s Tail – Trails up to 3 feet long
- Jade Plant – Has vines reaching 4 feet long
- String of Pearls – Trails up to 3 feet long
- Rosary Vine – Trails up to 2 feet long
Rosette-Forming Giants
- Aeonium Arboreum – Reaches 3 feet wide
- Agave Americana – Rosettes exceed 6 feet wide
- Giant Red Velvet Sempervivum – Rosets over 16 inches wide
- Jade Plant – Rosettes over 2 feet wide
Crested and Monstrose Mutations
- Crested Echeveria – Grows up to 3 feet wide
- Crested Euphorbia Lactea – Reaches 18 inches tall and wide
- Monstrose Aloe – Exceeds 2 feet tall and wide
- Cristate Saguaro Cactus – Towers over 15 feet tall!
Massive Specimen Plants
- Agave Americana – Grows up to 6 feet tall and 10 feet wide
- Aloe Ferox – Reaches over 20 feet tall
- Euphorbia Candelabrum – Attains 15 foot height and 10 foot spread
- Senecio Arborescens – Grows into a 20 foot tall shrub
Ideal Growing Conditions for Maximum Size
To enable a succulent to achieve its full mature size potential, provide these optimal growing conditions:
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Sunlight – Minimum of 6 hours of direct sun daily, ideally morning sun.
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Space – Minimum 12-24 inch diameter container or in-ground planting area.
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Soil – Fast-draining cactus/succulent soil blend. Avoid moisture retention.
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Water – Thoroughly soak soil then allow to dry before next watering.
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Fertilizer – Use a balanced diluted fertilizer during active growth periods.
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Pruning – Remove only dead leaves and spent blooms. Allow free growth.
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Hardiness zone – Match zone rating to your climate. Bring tenders indoors in winter.
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Pests/disease – Treat any issues present that may stunt growth.
Caring for Oversized Succulents
Giant succulents require some specialized care:
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Overwatering risks rot. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
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Stake tall varieties well to prevent toppling over.
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Use rolling plant caddies or hand trucks to move mature plants.
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Repot mature rosette succulents carefully to avoid root damage.
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Prune only as needed. Trimming healthy tissue restricts size.
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Propagate pups/offsets to start new small succulents.
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Position giant agaves and yuccas mindfully due to sharp points.
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Indoor oversized succulents need very bright light from southern windows.
Enjoy the Wow Factor of Large Succulents
Let your succulents achieve their full genetic growth potential and enjoy:
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Making a dramatic statement in garden and home décor
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Filling large spaces or serving as bold focal points
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Achieving exotic jungle or desert vibes with mini palm trees, cacti, and aloes
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Displaying visually striking rosette patterns and geometric designs
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Creating living sculptures that are architectural and artistic
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Commanding attention and sparking conversations with uniquely huge plants
With ample space, sun, water and time, you may be amazed how incredibly large your succulents can grow! Understanding what determines succulent maximum size helps you plan your garden and care for your succulents.
Factors that Affect Growth
Despite their variety, all succulents have similar care needs and growth requirements. The following aspects are the most basic things that’ll affect your succulent’s growth:
The amount of light your succulent receives will directly affect its growth. With less sunlight, your succulent has less energy to photosynthesize and will thus grow at a much slower pace. The more sunlight your plant receives, the more likely it is to grow. However, some succulents have tender leaves that will burn in direct sunlight. Sunburnt leaves will not photosynthesize, so it’s best to keep your succulents in bright, indirect sunlight. Turning your succulent around once every so often will also help it grow fuller and more symmetrical.
Bright, indirect sunlight is best for succulents grow. Photo by Thang Tat Nguyen
Water is another factor that directly affects the speed at which your succulents grow. Water is required for photosynthesis; the less water your succulents have, the less material it has to photosynthesize. Watering your succulents whenever their soil is completely dry to the touch is the best way to ensure your succulents get plenty of water, but not too much.
Watering succulents whenever their soil is completely dry to touch. Photo by agrobacter
Soil provides your succulents with nutrients that it needs to grow and a medium for the roots to cling to. It’s essential to provide succulents with well-draining soil to prevent root rot and overwatering, which will stall your plant’s growth. Your succulent’s nutrient levels will also play a role in its growth. To find the happy medium, check out our in-depth care guides for your specific plant.
It’s essential to provide succulents with well-draining soil to prevent root rot and overwatering. Photo by Susan Gary
The size of your pot can also play a role in how your succulent grows; if your succulent is in a pot that’s too small, it can become root-bound and stop growing altogether. If you want to keep your succulent relatively small, you can trim its roots, so it stays about the same size all the time.
Larger pots don’t necessarily mean larger succulents. Your succulent will have more room to grow and more time to fill the pot– its growth rate won’t change.
Your environment’s average temperature will also affect how your succulent grows. If your succulent is exposed to a chilly breeze or cooler temperatures in the winter, then it’ll grow slower than usual. However, some succulents don’t like hot weather and will wilt in hot, humid climates.
Generally speaking, outdoor succulents tend to grow much larger than their indoor counterparts because they have more space to spread out.
Outdoor succulents tend to grow much larger than their indoor counterparts. Photo by Lisa Romerein
So, what kinds of succulents get the biggest? Since size is relative, we’ve broken up our biggest growers into several categories based on how they grow.
Succulents that grow tall are often more compact than other succulents and gain verticality as they grow as opposed to horizontal spread. Common tall-growers include:
These succulents make for great ground cover since they spread along the ground relatively quickly. Spreader succulents’ size comes from horizontal growth, not vertical growth. Common spreaders include:
Trailing succulents may seem compact, depending on where you keep them. However, they have vines that can grow quite long. Common trailing succulents include:
These succulents are your best bet if you’re looking for something a bit more compact. Compact succulents tend to stay small their entire lives and are best kept in the home. Common compact succulents include:
Some succulents that reproduce via offshoots stay relatively compact but can spread out pretty far through their pups. To keep these succulents compact, simply prune off or propagate your mother plant’s offshoots as needed. Succulents that stay small but spread via offshoots include:
How To Get Succulents Grow HUGE In Pots
FAQ
How large can a succulent get?
Some succulents grow faster than others, meaning that you will see pretty significant growth over a several-month period. Jade plants and aloe vera are both in this category of succulents. In the wild, some succulent varieties can grow up to 40 feet or more, but that likely wouldn’t make for the best house plant.
Do succulents grow bigger in pots?
Bigger Plant Pots Retain More Water
In appropriate sized pot, the roots recoil and hit the bottom and sides of container, which promotes the vigorous growth of the succulent. While roots are more prone to rot in damp soil, pots with small amount of soil will not hold excess moisture.
How long does a succulent live?
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Short-lived:Some succulents, like Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum), might only live for a few years, but produce many new “chicks”.
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Moderate-lived:Echeverias can live 3+ years, and Aloe can live for 5-25 years with proper care.
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Long-lived:Certain Agave species and Jade plants can live for several decades or even over a century. Agave Americana, also known as the Century Plant, can live for 30-40 years, though its name suggests a longer lifespan. Jade plants are known to live for 70-100 years.
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Factors Affecting Lifespan:
- Light exposure: Succulents need the right amount of sunlight, either direct or indirect, depending on the species.
- Drought tolerance: Most succulents are drought-tolerant, meaning they can survive with minimal water, but some are more drought-tolerant than others.
- Temperature: Many succulents prefer warmer temperatures and are more vulnerable to cold weather.
- Pest and disease: Keeping succulents free from pests and diseases is important for their longevity.
- Care: Proper watering, potting, and general care can significantly impact how long a succulent lives.
- Light exposure: Succulents need the right amount of sunlight, either direct or indirect, depending on the species.
How big do succulents get?
The flowers can reach up to 30cm (1ft) across and are often richly fragrant. In spring or summer, these succulent plants produce large, exotic, multi-petalled flowers in a choice of colours, including red, white, pink and yellow. The flat, leaf-like stems cascade over the sides of their container.
How big do mini succulents get?
Mini succulents range from one to five inches, depending on how small you define small. With a little care and maintenance, these little plants can remain proportionate for many years. Generally, mini succulents originate from already small varieties like Zebra Plants and Dwarf Aloes, but some require a little care to maintain their miniature size.
Do succulents grow bigger indoors or outdoors?
Especially with proper growth and care this succulent will grow larger mostly outdoors than indoors. You can grow this succulent indoors or outdoors, it’s your choice. It will definitely grow bigger, and a lot better outdoors due to the natural sunlight and larger growth area.