Low-maintenance succulents have different growth rates depending on the place where they are planted and their innate nature, of course. For example, Echeveria is one of the fastest-growing succulents, while Haworthias are pretty slow. The former grows up to six to eight inches from a mere two inches in twelve months, while the latter grows to about five inches from two inches in more than twelve months. So, there’s no specific answer to ‘how fast do succulents grow?’ One thing is for sure, succulents or houseplants are usually fast-growing.
Another exciting feature about your favorite succulents is that they have distinct growing and dormant seasons. During the growing season, the plant grows as per the given conditions and its natural growth rate, while during the dormant season, succulents do not grow. This blog will have all kinds of information about the growth rate of different succulent types.
Fast Growing Succulents
It is crucial to understand what fast growing succulents mean. These are succulents that begin with no considerable development within a month. However, within the next four to six months, the plant’s growth rate seems to be phenomenal.
Examples of Fast Growing Succulent Plants
- Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis, and Aloe arborescens are the fastest-growing in the Aloe family. These houseplants grow from two inches to six inches in just about a year.
- The String of Buttons or Crassula Perforata is one of the fast growing tall succulents. It grows at least a foot and a half in height. These non-toxic plants require bright and indirect light to have the best growth.
- Mother of Thousands or Kalanchoes is another species known for its fast growth rate. Consider succulents like Lavender scallops or Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi for your garden if you adore houseplants with impressive growth. Others in the family are the Kalanchoe diagremontana, Kalanchoe marmorata, and Kalanchoe tomentosa.
- Echeverias, as discussed above, have excellent growth rates. Hens and Chicks are the best examples. A two-inch plant can grow up to six or eight inches in about twelve months.
- The Sedum rubrotinctum, also called the Jelly bean plant, belongs to the Stonecrop or Sedum species with an amazing growth rate. It takes about a year to grow up to a foot or so.
- Century plants or Agaves are succulents that grow big in size. The size is of a human-sized fist, initially growing into really big plants in a span of two to three years. Examples of fast growing species from this family include Agave americana, Agave stricta, Agave attenuata, etc.
How to Make Succulents Grow Faster?
If you wish to speed up the growth rate of your houseplants, you need to offer them the proper care. Give them favorable conditions, and you will find them growing steadily and happily. Here are a few tips to ensure the fast growth of succulents:
- Take care that the potting soil drains off well. Choose a typical cactus potting mix for optimal growth. If the succulent has requirements for a unique soil type, you need to research a bit more to get the right soil type.
- Similarly, when you pick a container, ensure that it has suitable drainage holes. Else the plant might rot. Terracotta is a reasonable consideration as a potting material because it is breathable.
- Ensure watering in the right quantity at the right time. Apply water when you feel that the soil is completely dry. Also, do not water the leaves or stems directly; instead, pour the water on the soil.
- Give enough light to the succulent for proper growth. It is imperative to know the plant’s lighting needs beforehand. Usually, succulents do not prefer direct sunlight for long hours. If your plant is growing unnaturally long, it could be due to the lack of sunlight.
- If the plant has started to look shaggy, go ahead and cut off the old leaves.
- Succulents usually do not require fertilizers. But you can feed them once during the growing season for faster growth. The best is to use organic fertilizers.
FAQs
Do succulents spread on their own?
Most succulents naturally multiply and spread. They do so by offshoots.
How fast does Echeveria grow?
Echeverias are one of the fastest-growing succulents. A two-inch succulent can grow up to a height of six or eight inches within a year.
How quickly do succulents grow?
The growth rate of succulents depends on several conditions, namely temperature, light, soil, humidity, and water. It also depends on the natural growth factors of the species. However, in most cases, succulents exhibit a slow growth rate in the first few months but pick up as they grow older. By the fourth or the fifth month, succulents usually have a considerable growth rate, especially the fast-growing ones.
How to grow big succulents?
Ensure that you pick succulents that are inherently fast growing. Other than that, you need to ensure the right growing conditions for impressive growth.
