Succulents are defined by their ability to store water in fleshy leaves, stems, or roots, an adaptation that allows them to thrive in arid environments. This water-storing capacity dictates their pace of life, which is generally much slower than that of foliage houseplants. While often considered slow growers, the actual rate is highly variable and depends on genetics and environmental factors.
Defining Slow Growth and Seasonal Cycles
For most succulent varieties, “slow growth” means that visible change is measured over months or even a full year, rather than weeks. A slow-growing succulent may only increase in size by two to three inches annually, taking five or more years to reach full maturity. Even faster-growing types, such as some Echeveria or Sedum, might add four to ten inches in a year under optimal conditions, which is still modest compared to other flora.
Succulent growth is not constant but is tied to seasonal cycles of activity and dormancy, making them “opportunistic growers” that develop whenever conditions are favorable. Most species are “summer growers,” actively developing during the temperate conditions of spring and fall, and slowing down or entering dormancy when temperatures are too cold in winter.
Other varieties, known as “winter growers,” reverse this cycle, actively growing in the cooler seasons and becoming dormant during the extreme heat of summer. During a dormant period, the plant minimizes its metabolic activity to conserve energy, halting new growth until more suitable temperatures return.
Environmental Factors That Control Speed
The environment plays a significant role in determining how much growth a succulent can achieve during its active season. Light exposure is arguably the most important factor, as it provides the energy needed for photosynthesis and compact development. Insufficient light forces the plant to stretch out abnormally toward the nearest source, a phenomenon called etiolation.
Etiolation results in stretched, weak growth that may appear fast but signals an unhealthy plant. Conversely, high light levels encourage the compact, vibrant growth characteristic of healthy succulents, even if the plant appears to be growing more slowly. Succulents generally require six to eight hours of bright light daily, with desert natives often tolerating intense, direct sun.
Watering frequency and depth also directly influence the energy available for growth. Succulents are adapted to deep, infrequent watering that mimics natural rainfall, allowing the soil to dry out completely between sessions. Proper watering encourages robust root development and plump leaf growth during the active season, while overwatering can stunt growth or cause fatal rot.
Temperature is another lever, as most succulents prefer a range between 60°F and 80°F for optimal activity. Extreme heat or cold will prompt the plant to enter dormancy, effectively stopping growth until conditions improve. Finally, while succulents are not heavy feeders, a light application of a diluted, low-nitrogen fertilizer once a month during the spring and autumn growing seasons can help accelerate development.
How Growth Speed Varies by Type
Even when environmental conditions are perfectly optimized, the maximum potential growth rate is ultimately determined by the plant’s genetics. Different genera have inherent growth habits that place them on a spectrum from relatively rapid to extremely slow.
Among the faster growers are plants from the genera Echeveria, Sedum, and Kalanchoe, which can produce numerous offsets or pups quickly. A fast-growing Echeveria, for instance, may increase its diameter by six to eight inches within a single year. Similarly, some Aloe species are considered fast-growing, potentially adding several inches in height annually.
Slower growers include Haworthia and Gasteria, which maintain a more compact size and may only gain a few millimeters to a couple of inches over a year. Haworthias, in particular, remain small, often reaching only a few inches in diameter even at maturity. Most cacti also fall into this slower category, with some taking many years to achieve a substantial size.
Agave species represent the long-term growers, which exhibit noticeable growth but often require years to reach their full potential size. These monocarpic plants may take a decade or two to achieve maturity before they bloom.