How Fast Do Succulents Grow?
The exact growth rate of a succulent depends on the specific type of succulent. For example, a fast-growing succulent like Echeveria will grow 6-8 inches each year. Meanwhile, a slower-growing succulent like Haworthias can take over a year to grow just 3 inches. If you are wondering how fast succulents grow, use our guide below.
What Are Succulents?
Succulents are dry-climate plants that feature fleshy leaves, spears or rounded bodies. Mistaking succulents for cacti is very common. Succulents, though, are a much larger group of plants that do not include the spiky cactus family, yet does include aloe vera and jade plants.
Succulent Growth Rate
Not all succulents will grow the same amount each and every year. Some will take lots of time while others grow faster. Of course, there are a few instances where a lack of sunlight exposure can stunt growth.
Other factors, such as soil type and watering, play significant roles in a succulent’s growth rate. Throughout the seasons, succulents will go through phases where they are either growing actively or dormant.
Slow-Growing Succulents
- Cactus.
- Agave.
- Jade Plants.
- Haworthia.
Medium-Growing Succulents
- Echeveria.
- Aloe.
- Sempervivum.
- Tender Sedum.
Fast-Growing Succulents
- Sedum.
- Senecio.
- Kalanchoe.
- Rosularia & Prometheum.
How Big Can Succulents Grow?
With so many different succulent species out there, it’s tough to cluster them all into one size. Some succulents can grow higher than 50-feet tall while other succulents remain on the smaller side for years.
Lateral growth is one last thing that must be factored in here. Succulents are able to produce “pups”, which are new plants clustered at the bottom of the succulent, adding to the plants’ overall width.
Succulent Growing Tips
Lithop Care (living rock): Take particular care not to overwater lithops, as they will rot. Water lithops during fall (when you see flower buds start to appear) and spring (after leaf shedding has happened) thoroughly (until water runs through your containers drainage holes) and let the soil dry between waterings. Abstain from watering at all during winter and summer months, except for very sparse sprinklings at least once a month. Keep your lithop in a brightly lit, south-facing window. For more information visit lithops.info
Nutrition: Fertilize throughout the growing season with a 10-10-10 fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength for each watering.
Colors: Typically greener succulents are more accepting of low light environments. If your space doesn’t have a plentiful light source, try and avoid succulents that have blue, purple, pink and white tones.
Artificial lighting: Succulents do their best in natural light, but if this not attainable (during winter months or your geographical location), you can still give them a light source via artificial grow lights. There are a lot of options for energy-efficient artificial lighting readily available.
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