Have you ever been captivated by the striking silhouettes of tall succulents, with their elegant forms adding a touch of boldness to gardens and indoor spaces? If you’re ready to venture beyond the petite succulents and explore these vertical wonders, you’re in for a treat.
In this guide, I will first introduce you to the basics of growing succulents and then to the world of tall succulents, from their fascinating adaptations to their diverse forms and care requirements.
By the end of this journey, you will be well-prepared to create your succulent garden that will reflect diversity in size and length.
How cool is that?
How To Grow Succulents From Cuttings?
Growing succulents from cuttings is a rewarding and relatively easy way to expand your collection or share these fascinating plants with others. Don’t forget to check out the other 16 succulent varieties that are easy to maintain.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to propagate succulents from cuttings:
Choose the Right Cutting:
Select a healthy succulent with plump leaves and no signs of disease or pests. You can use either stem cuttings or leaf cuttings, depending on the type of succulent.
For stem cuttings, choose a stem that is at least a few inches long and has several leaves. For leaf cuttings, gently twist off a healthy leaf from the stem, ensuring the base of the leaf is intact.
Prepare the Cutting
Allow the stem or the leaf cuttings to callus by allowing them to dry out for a few days. Spread the cuttings out onto a container lined with absorbent paper. (Kitchen paper is ideal). Drying out will then help prevent them from rotting when planted.
Remove the lower leaves for stem cuttings, leaving a few at the top. (Optional) Dipping the cut end into the rooting hormone will encourage quicker root growth.
Plant the Stem Cutting
Prepare a pot or tray with a well-draining purpose soil mix for succulents or cacti. Make a small hole in the soil and insert gently the cut end of the stem cutting. Carefully firm the soil around the cutting to ensure good contact with the soil.
Provide Proper Care
- Site the pot in a bright location with indirect sunlight.
- Water the soil lightly, keeping it slightly moist.
- Avoid getting the soil soggy by watering too often, as this will likely cause the cutting to rot.
- Maintain a warm temperature, ideally around 70-80°F (21-27°C).
Monitor and Transplant:
After a few weeks, you should start to see new growth, indicating that the cutting has rooted.
Once the cutting is established, you can transfer it to a larger pot or into the ground if you live in a suitable climate.
Additional Tips
- Some succulents, like Echeveria and Sedum, can be propagated from leaf cuttings by simply laying the leaf on top of the soil.
- Be patient, as some cuttings may take longer to root than others.
- Remove the affected cutting and adjust your watering methods for signs of rot.
Growing Succulents from Leaves
Growing succulents from leaves is also a rewarding and relatively simple process. Here’s a detailed guide to help you propagate succulents successfully.
Choosing the Right Leaves
Select healthy, plump leaves from a mature succulent. Avoid damaged or diseased leaves, as they are less likely to root. Twist the leaf gently from the stem, ensuring a clean break. A complete, undamaged leaf will callus over more easily, increasing the chances of successful propagation.
Preparing the Leaves
Allow the detached leaves to dry for a few days until the cut ends callous over. This step is crucial to prevent rotting when the leaf is planted. Again, they can be laid out on top of absorbent paper or sand and mixed with dry soil in a suitable container.
Planting the Leaves
Use a well-draining purpose succulent or cactus mix. You can also make a custom mix using a regular potting mix with coarse sand and perlite. (For further details, read under Soil and Potting.) Lay the calloused leaves on top of the soil. Do not bury them; the leaf should rest on the surface.
Watering
Mist the leaves lightly with water every few days to moisten the soil. If the soil becomes too soggy, the leaves could rot away.
Within a few weeks, tiny roots and new rosettes should form at the leaves’ base. Continue to mist regularly, but ensure the soil remains moist but free-draining.
Growth and Transplanting
Once the new plants are established and the mother leaf begins to wither, you can reduce misting and start watering more deeply but less frequently.
When the new succulents are large enough to handle, transplant them into pots filled with well-draining soil.
Care Tips
Provide bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch young plants, while too little light can cause them to become leggy.
Succulents prefer warm temperatures. Keep them in a location where temperatures are consistently between 70°F and 85°F.
Troubleshooting
- Rotting: If leaves start to rot, reduce watering and ensure proper air circulation.
- No Growth: If there is no sign of roots or new growth after several weeks, try again with new leaves and ensure they are from a healthy plant.
Why Choose Tall-Growing Succulents?
Tall-growing succulents offer several advantages for gardeners and plant enthusiasts:
Space Efficiency
Tall succulents make a striking vertical statement, making them perfect for small spaces with limited horizontal space. They can add height and dimension to any garden or indoor plant arrangement.
Succulent planters also make a stunning signature of beauty in limited space.
Visual Impact
The unique shapes and structures of tall succulents create an eye-catching focal point. Their dramatic appearance can enhance the aesthetics of any setting, providing architectural interest and texture.
Versatility
Tall succulents are suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. They can be used as standalone specimens, in mixed succulent gardens, or as part of xeriscaping projects.
Low Maintenance
Like other succulents, tall varieties are generally low-maintenance. They require minimal watering and are drought-tolerant, ideal for busy or novice gardeners.
Air Purification
Many succulents, including tall varieties, can help enhance indoor air quality by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen.
Popular Tall Succulent Types
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Valued for its medicinal properties, aloe vera can grow tall, adding a tropical touch indoors and outdoors. It will grow in partial shade and bright indirect sunlight at an indoor temperature of 55 to 80F (13-27C).
Place near a sunny south or west-facing window indoors. This well-known succulent can grow to 2 feet and 1 to 2 feet wide. It can also be grown outside in USDA Zones 9-11. Propagate by stem cuttings or by removing rooted offshoots.
Sansevieria (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Also known as the snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, it is hardy and can thrive in low and bright light. It can also help remove harmful toxins from the air, and it is one of a few recommended plants to keep in your bedroom.
The eventual height can be up to 12 feet, but it usually grows to around 3 to 5 feet. Ideal indoor temperatures are 70-90F (21-32C), and USDA Zones 10 to 11 outdoors—propagate by leaf cuttings or removing a rooted offshoot.
Euphorbia (Euphorbia ingens)
If grown in suitable conditions, this tall succulent, resembling a cactus, can grow up to 8 to 10 feet indoors and 40 feet outdoors. It is a strong statement plant that makes an excellent focal point.
It prefers bright light but avoids strong direct sunlight indoors, as it can scorch the leaves. Ideal indoor temperature should be above 74F (23C) and outdoors USDA Zone 10-11. Propagate by stem cuttings.
Yucca elephantipes Syn (Spinless Yucca)
This is a tall tree-like yucca that holds onto water in its trunk. It grows long leaves that are less spikey than other yucca varieties. The species thrives in bright, indirect light indoors or even partial shade in temperatures from 50 to 85 F (10-29C).
It can be grown outdoors in partial shade to full sun in Zone 9. Indoors, it can grow to a height of up to 10 feet and 20 to 30 feet outdoors. Note that if grown indoors, it should be grown in a pot no larger than 17 to 20 inches to retain its growth. Propagate by stem cuttings.
How to Care for Tall-Growing Succulents
Caring for tall-growing succulents involves specific practices to ensure they remain healthy and vibrant. Here’s a detailed guide:
Light Requirements
Most tall succulents thrive in bright, direct sunlight, preferring at least 6 hours daily. For indoor succulents, place them near a south-facing window where they can receive ample light. However, this rule has a few exceptions, such as the snake plant, so always refer to the plant label for detailed guidelines.
Watering
Succulents prefer dry conditions. Water deeply but less often, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Excessive watering can lead to root rot.
Take care with overhead watering for succulents that form crowns or rosettes, such as Snake Plants or aloe vera. Try to water at the base of the plant instead. Water can accumulate and cause the crown or rosette to rot as well.
In the growing season (spring and summer), water once every 1-2 weeks. In the dormant period (fall and winter), reduce watering to every four weeks or even less.
Soil and Potting
It is always advisable to use a purpose succulent or cactus potting mix that ensures good drainage. Alternatively, mix regular potting soil with sand or perlite to improve drainage.
Tip: To make your potting mix, combine 2 cups of potting soil with 1 cup of horticulture sand or grit and 1 cup of perlite.
Check your pot has drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom. You could also stand the pot on a bed of small pebbles in the tray. This will allow for added drainage and air to circulate around the roots.
Temperature and Humidity
Most tall succulents thrive in warm temperatures around 70°F to 85°F (21°C – 29°C). They can also tolerate cooler temperatures down to 40°F (4°C). However, they are not frost-tolerant.
Succulents also prefer low humidity, so it is essential to ensure good air circulation around the foliage, as this will prevent mold and mildew.
Fertilization
During the growing season, feed your succulents with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength. Fertilize once a month.
Avoid fertilizing during their rest period, usually during autumn and winter.
Pruning and Maintenance
Remove any dead or damaged leaves to encourage more growth. This will also help maintain the plant’s neat shape and remove any foliage that could be more susceptible to disease.
Tall succulents may require support to stay upright. If necessary, use stakes, plant ties, or even plant canes.
Pests and Diseases
Common pests include aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Small infestations are usually easy to remove by hand. For larger infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Tips: If using neem oil, don’t use it neat; always dilute with water according to the product guidelines. If you don’t have access to neem oil, diluted coconut oil can be used sparingly. Take care of both oils so they don’t build up on the soil’s surface. An alternative to insecticidal soap is diluted dish soap.
Overall, succulents are healthy plants. However, the main causes of disease are incorrect watering and poor air circulation. Excessive watering can cause the roots to drown and negatively impact all growth. Overhead watering can cause the crown or rosettes to rot. Usual signs are yellowing leaves, mushy stems, and rotted roots.
To prevent fungal diseases, ensure good air circulation, and reduce humidity. Remove all affected parts and treat with a fungicide if necessary.
Repotting
Repot tall succulents every 2-3 years or when they outgrow their current pot. This is usually when the plant is squeezed tight into the pot or when the roots start to poke through the bottom drainage holes.
If not repotted at this stage, the roots can block water from draining away or being tightly compacted; they cannot uptake water or nutrients. Spring is generally the best time to repot.
Remove the plant from its old pot and tap away excess soil. Place it in a new pot one or two sizes up from the old one. Fill in with fresh-purpose succulent potting mix.
Image by The Spruce
How to Tell if a Succulent Has Stretched Out
When a succulent stretches, it’s a sign that it is not receiving enough light. This phenomenon, known as etiolation, can be identified by the following characteristics:
- Elongated Stems: The stem grows longer and thinner as the plant reaches for more light.
- Wide Spacing Between Leaves: Leaves become more spaced along the stem than their typical compact arrangement.
- Lighter Color: The plant may become paler or less vibrant in color.
- Leaning: The plant may lean towards the light source, often top-heavy and tilting.
Causes
The primary cause of stretching is a lack of adequate light. Only succulents prone to etiolation need bright, direct sunlight to maintain their compact form.
Solutions
- Relocation: Move the succulent to a location with more direct sunlight. South-facing windows are ideal for indoor succulents.
- Artificial Lighting: If available natural light isn’t adequate, use grow lights to supplement their light needs.
Final Words
From Euphorbia’s sculptural elegance to Agave’s architectural allure, Tall Succulent Plants offers a fresh perspective on succulent gardening.
Equipped with knowledge of their care requirements and growth habits, you’re ready to start your succulent indoor or outdoor garden.
So, are you adding a dramatic statement piece to your outdoor space or creating a striking focal point indoors? Tall succulents are guaranteed to elevate your plant collection.
