Many succulent owners notice their plant developing a tall, elongated stem with flowers. This is a common and natural part of a succulent’s life cycle, indicating it is entering a reproductive phase.
Understanding Succulent Bolting
The phenomenon where a succulent produces a tall stem with flowers is known as “bolting.” This natural process involves the plant sending up a flower stalk to produce blooms and seeds, which is how succulents reproduce.
It is important to distinguish bolting from etiolation. While both involve stretching, etiolation occurs when a succulent does not receive enough light, causing its stem to become long, pale, and weak, with widely spaced leaves and no flowers. Bolting, conversely, is characterized by a sturdy stem designed to elevate flowers for pollination and seed dispersal.
Reasons Your Succulent is Bolting
Succulents typically bolt upon reaching maturity, signaling readiness to reproduce. This natural progression is often triggered by internal and environmental cues. A mature plant accumulates enough energy reserves to support the resource-intensive process of producing a flower stalk and blooms.
Environmental factors also play a significant role. Ample light exposure, particularly strong, consistent light, can encourage a succulent to flower. Changes in temperature, such as the transition from cooler winter nights to warmer spring days, can also act as a trigger. Occasionally, mild environmental stress, like slightly reduced watering, might prompt the plant to reproduce as a survival mechanism.
The Fate of Your Succulent: Monocarpic vs. Polycarpic
A common concern is whether a succulent will survive after flowering. The answer depends on if it is monocarpic or polycarpic. Monocarpic succulents flower once in their lifetime and then die after seed production. This process can take several weeks or months as the plant expends all its energy into flowering and forming seeds.
While monocarpic succulents, such as some Agave species and most Sempervivum (hen and chicks) varieties, will perish, they often produce offsets or “pups” around their base before or during flowering. These offsets ensure the continuation of the plant’s lineage. In contrast, polycarpic succulents, including many Echeveria, Sedum, and Crassula species, can flower multiple times throughout their lifespan and continue to grow afterward. These plants use some energy for blooming but retain enough to sustain themselves.
Caring for a Bolting Succulent
When your succulent begins to bolt, you generally have a few options regarding its care. You can leave the flower stalk intact, allowing it to fully bloom and potentially produce seeds. This allows you to enjoy the full display of the flowers. If you wish to collect seeds, allow the flowers to dry completely on the stalk before harvesting.
Once the flowers have faded, or if your succulent is monocarpic and you prefer to encourage offset production, you can cut the flower stalk. Use clean, sharp shears or a knife to remove the stalk close to the base of the plant. This prevents the plant from expending further energy on a dying stalk and redirects resources to new growth or offsets. Continue providing your bolting succulent with its usual care, including bright light and appropriate watering, ensuring it has the resources needed to support its reproductive cycle.