If you’re new to succulents, you might wonder how big these plants can get. The answer depends on the particular type of succulent you have.
Some stay relatively small, while others can grow to be quite large. So let’s take a closer look at factors that can help explain how big do succulents get.
Short Answer: How Big Do Succulents Get?
Succulents vary significantly in size, with most indoor varieties growing up to 6 inches tall due to limited light exposure. More natural sunlight can promote growth, enhancing photosynthesis and energy production. Consider your succulent’s specific size range and light requirements to encourage optimal growth.
Watering Schedule
How often and how much water can impact your plant’s size. For example, they’ll stretch and become leggy if you water them too often. On the other hand, if not watered enough, they’ll shrink and get dehydrated.
For this reason, it’s crucial to find a happy medium when watering them. Stick to a schedule that works for your plants, and don’t be afraid to experiment a little bit to find what works best.
How to Water Succulent Plants
Only water them when the soil is dry. Overwatering succulent is a recipe for disaster, so only give them water when the soil is no longer moist to the touch.
Use a watering can with a small spout. A watering can with a small spout is ideal for watering these plants. This will help you avoid accidentally overwatering and keep the water from flowing directly onto the leaves of your plants.
Water them early in the morning for the best results. This is the best way to avoid leaf scorch, which can happen when water droplets sit on the leaves for too long, and the sun’s heat magnifies them. Alternatively, you can water them in the evening.
Use lukewarm water. Cold water can shock succulents and cause them to wilt.
The Type of Pot You Use
The pot you use for your succulents will also affect their size. If you use a small pot, the roots of your plants will be restricted, and they’ll stay small.
If you use a bigger pot, the roots will have more room to grow, and your plants will be able to reach their full-size potential.
How to Choose the Right Pot
Use a pot with drainage holes. The holes allow excess water to properly drain and help to prevent your plants from getting waterlogged.
Choose a pot that’s the right size. As already mentioned, the size of the pot will affect the size of your succulents. If you want your plants to stay small, choose a small pot. Choose a larger one if you want them to grow bigger.
Use a pot that’s made of breathable material such as terracotta or ceramic. This will help the roots of your plants to stay healthy.
Light
Light is another important factor that affects the size of your succulents. The problem is that most people don’t give their plants enough light.
If you want your succulents to stay small, they’ll need to be in a shady spot. If you want them to grow larger, they’ll need more light.
Tips for Giving your Succulents Enough Light
Place your succulent plants in a spot where they’ll get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Aim for your plants to get at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. They will stretch and look leggy if they’re not getting enough light.
Homeowners in hot climates should put them somewhere they’ll get afternoon shade, helping to prevent the leaves from scorching in the sunlight. You could move other leafy plants in pots in front of the succulents to help shade them.
If you’re in a cold climate, place them near a south-facing window. This will give the plant the most amount of light possible.
If you can’t provide enough natural light, use artificial lighting. You can buy special grow lights designed for plants.
Temperature
Another critical factor that affects the size of your succulents is the temperature of your room. If it’s too hot, your plants are going to wilt. If it’s too cold, it will cause your plants to go into dormancy.
How to Keep the Temperature Correct
For hot climates, place your plants in a spot where the temperature is cooler. This could be near a window or in a room that doesn’t get direct sunlight.
If you live in a cold climate, place your plants where the temperature is warmer. This could be near a heater or in a room with direct sunlight.
It’s crucial to maintain a consistent temperature for your plants. Sudden temperature changes can shock or even kill them.
Check the temperature of your room regularly. This will help you to catch any sudden changes that could harm your plants.
Soil Type
The type of soil you’re using can also affect the size of your succulents. For example, if you’re using a potting mix that’s lacking in nutrients, it will cause your plants to stay small.
Conversely, using a potting mix too rich in nutrients will cause your plants to grow too quickly and look leggy. So, more isn’t always better!
Tips for Choosing the Right Soil
It’s essential to use a potting mix that drains well. This will help prevent your plants from getting too much water.
Add some perlite or sand to your potting mix. This will help improve drainage.
Use a potting mix that’s specifically designed for succulents. These mixes usually contain a mixture of perlite, sand, and other ingredients that help improve drainage.
Don’t use garden soil. It’s too dense and doesn’t drain well. This can cause your plants to rot.
Fertilizer
People often don’t think of succulents as needing fertilizer, but the truth is they do. Using fertilizer will help your succulent grow to its full size. If you don’t use fertilizer, your plants will stay small and probably won’t bloom.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer for Your Succulents
Use a fertilizer that’s specifically designed for all types of succulents. These fertilizers usually contain a mix of nutrients that are perfect for succulents.
Use a fertilizer that has a low nitrogen content. Nitrogen is a nutrient that promotes leaf growth, so using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer causes your plants to produce too many leaves and not enough flowers.
Also, look for a fertilizer that has a slow-release formula. Slow-release fertilizers are ideal for succulents. These fertilizers slowly release nutrients over time, which results in healthy plant growth.
Don’t over-fertilize your plants. Too much fertilizer can burn them. So, ensure you follow the fertilizer label’s directions and only apply the recommended amount.
Pruning Your Plants
Pruning your succulents is a great way to promote growth and keep them healthy. For example, when you prune, you’re essentially giving them a haircut. This helps them to focus their energy on growing new leaves and flowers.
To Prune Succulents
When pruning your plants, it’s essential to use sharp, clean shears. Being sharp helps you make clean cuts and prevents damaging your plants.
Prune in the spring to help them to grow new leaves and flowers.
Prune the dead leaves and flowers first. When pruning your plants, it’s essential to start with the dead leaves and flowers, so you can avoid damaging the healthy parts of your plant.
Prune the tips of the leaves and stems, as they are the parts of your plant that grow the most. Therefore, pruning these parts of your plant will encourage growth.
Repotting
Repotting your succulents is a great way to keep them healthy and promote new growth. You’re giving them a new home when you repot your plants. This helps them focus their energy on growing fresh flowers and leaves.
If you don’t repot your plants, they will eventually outgrow their pot and become root-bound. This can cause them to stop growing and even die.
Tips for Repotting Your Succulents
Use a well-draining potting mix. When repotting them, it’s essential to use a potting mix that drains well. This will help them to avoid becoming root bound.
Use a pot slightly larger than the previous one to give your plants room to grow.
Repot your plants in the spring. This will help them to grow new leaves and flowers.
Don’t water your plants for a few days after repotting them. They need to settle because watering your plants immediately after repotting them can cause the roots to rot. So it’s essential to wait a few days first.
Don’t fertilize your plants for a few weeks after repotting them. Fertilizing immediately after repotting can burn the plant’s roots. So it’s important to wait a few weeks before fertilizing them.
We hope this helped you answer the question, “how big do succulents get?” As you can see, how you care for your succulent will factor into its size and variety (most range from 5″- 2′ tall).
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.