Succulents are popular houseplants and garden plants due to their low maintenance needs and drought tolerance. While many succulents are small, compact plants, there are some varieties that can grow quite tall

Tall succulents can make stunning focal points in the garden or inside the home. They bring height structure and an element of drama to arrangements and displays.

If you’re looking for a statement succulent, here are 11 of the best tall growing succulent varieties to consider:

1. Yucca

Native to hot, dry areas of North and Central America, yucca is one of the tallest growing succulents. Under ideal conditions, it can reach up to 30 feet in height.

Yucca features long, pointed, sword-shaped leaves that grow in a basal rosette. The leaves are dark green or blue-green in color. In summer, yucca sends up tall flowering stalks covered in creamy white blooms.

This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and needs very little water once established. Yucca is hardy in USDA zones 5-11

2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Snake plants, also called mother-in-law’s tongue, are classic indoor plants that can also grow quite large. Some varieties can reach 8 feet tall at maturity.

These succulents have long, rigid, sword-shaped leaves with sharp tips. The foliage is usually banded or edged in shades of green, yellow, gray, or white.

Snake plants tolerate almost any indoor condition, from low light to bright light. They only need occasional watering and are very forgiving if neglected for periods of time.

3. Agave

Agave is a large succulent native to arid regions of the Americas. There are over 200 species, some of which grow enormously huge. One variety, the century plant (Agave americana), can reach heights of 10 feet or more.

Agaves form rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves armed with spines along the margins. The leaves vary in color from gray-green to blue-green. Flowers emerge on tall stalks up to 20 feet high.

These succulents prefer full sun exposure. They are drought tolerant once established but may need supplemental irrigation in extremely hot, dry climates. Agaves are hardy in USDA zones 7-11.

4. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

Jade plants are popular succulent houseplants, renowned for their oval-shaped green leaves and easygoing nature. Given proper conditions, jade plants can grow into small trees up to 8 feet tall.

Native to South Africa, these succulents are prized for their fleshy, rounded leaves. With enough light and space, jade plants develop thick, woody stems and branches. They may bloom with sprays of dainty white or pink flowers in winter.

Jade plants thrive in bright, indirect light indoors. They prefer infrequent but deep watering whenever the soil becomes completely dry.

5. Senecio

Senecio is a large genus containing over 1,000 succulent species. One of the tallest is Senecio jacobsenii, or trailing jade. This succulent can grow trailing stems up to 10 feet long.

Senecios are known for their fleshy leaves and fast, vining growth. Trailing jade has teardrop-shaped green leaves on cascading stems. It makes a beautiful hanging basket or trailing accent plant.

Most senecios appreciate bright light and need well-draining soil and occasional watering. They are sensitive to overwatering, so allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

6. Aeonium

Aeoniums are subtropical succulents that form large, branching rosettes on woody stems. Given time, they can grow into small succulent trees up to 6 feet tall.

One of the most popular tall aeoniums is Aeonium arboreum, also called tree anemone. It has green leaves flushed with tones of red, orange, and copper, especially in bright light or cold weather.

Aeoniums do best in partial shade in hot climates. They need well-draining soil and only occasional watering. Most varieties are not hardy below freezing.

7. Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra)

Despite its common name, elephant bush is not related to true bushes. This succulent shrub can grow up to 20 feet tall in warm climates. Its stems become woody with age.

Elephant bush has rounded, fleshy green leaves on arching reddish stems. Some varieties have variegated cream and green foliage. Small pink flowers appear in late winter and spring.

Although it grows large outside, elephant bush also makes an easy houseplant for bright rooms. It tolerates some drought but prefers regular watering during the growing season.

8. Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)

Named for the sharp spines covering its stems, crown of thorns is a popular houseplant that can grow up to 6 feet tall indoors. Native to Madagascar, it has an upright, vining growth habit.

The oblong green leaves of crown of thorns are dotted along arching stems. Bright bracts of red, orange, pink, or yellow surround the tiny flowers.

For best results, situate this euphorbia in bright, indirect light and water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Take care when handling, as the sap can cause skin irritation.

9. Eve’s Pin Cushion (Austrocylindropuntia subulata)

A cactus relative from South America, Eve’s pin cushion can achieve heights over 10 feet. It resembles a large, branching shrub covered in spines.

This succulent has cylindrical stems lined with sharp, straw-colored spines. Tiny white hairs cover the stem joints. Showy magenta flowers appear in summer.

Eve’s pin cushion needs full sun, excellent drainage, and occasional deep watering to thrive. It can survive light frost but does best in warm, arid climates. Handle with care to avoid the sharp spines.

10. Giant Agave (Agave americana)

As its name suggests, giant agave is one of the largest agave species. Blue-green leaves up to 2 feet long radiate from the base, forming massive rosettes up to 6 feet across.

Flowering at maturity after 10-20 years, giant agave sends up a gigantic flower spike up to 20 feet tall covered in yellow blooms. After flowering, the main plant dies.

Also called century plant, giant agave prefers hot, dry conditions and thrives outdoors in zones 8-11. Provide plenty of space for the huge leaves and rosette.

11. Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)

Though slow growing, desert rose can eventually reach heights of 6-9 feet tall. This succulent is prized for its colorful flowers and swollen caudex base.

Desert rose has smooth, tapered branches lined with glossy green leaves. Large, brilliant flowers in shades of red, pink, white, and orange adorn this plant in summer.

Native to Africa, desert rose thrives indoors in warm, sunny conditions and well-draining soil. It can tolerate some drought between waterings. Prune to control size and shape.

Caring for Tall Succulents

To help tall succulents thrive indoors or outside, provide the following care:

Sunlight – Most require bright, direct sun for several hours per day. Insufficient light leads to leggy, weak growth.
Soil – Use a fast-draining cactus or succulent soil. Add extra perlite or gravel to improve drainage.
Water – Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, then soak the soil thoroughly. Drainage is crucial to prevent rot.
Fertilizer – In spring and summer, use a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks.
Temperature – Average room temperatures suit most. Avoid excessive cold for non-hardy varieties.
Space – Give tall succulents room to grow. Repot in a larger container or plant further apart as they expand.

With proper growing conditions and occasional grooming, tall succulents can thrive for years, growing from petite cuttings into sculptural, breathtaking specimen plants.