Succulents are one of the most interesting plants to keep in your home. They’re easy to take care of and don’t require much water or sunlight. This makes them perfect for low-maintenance people. Plus, they come in gorgeous shapes, colors, and sizes. But how fast do succulents grow? This article will tell you everything you need to know about succulents, including frequently asked questions.
What Are Succulents?
Succulents are plants that store water in their leaves, stems, and roots. This water gives the plant much of its character because it makes the leaves and stems thicker, giving them their succulent texture. Different kinds of succulents can store water in different ways. Some have thick stems, while others have thick leaves. Some have both. Instead of having leaves that lose moisture through transpiration (which is why most plants wilt), they use hard tissues to protect against evaporation. They have a very low water requirement, so they don’t need a lot of soil to stay green. That’s why it only grows in dry environments, with little to no water source nearby.
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. The price you pay is exactly the same if you do or do not use my links. There are no extras costs to you.
How fast do succulents grow?
The first thing to know about how fast succulents grow depends on what type of succulents you have. Some types grow so slowly that it may take years before they reach full size, while others are much faster than this. Many desert-dwelling plants are particularly slow growers, especially if they’re kept underwater or in soil. Climate is another factor that affects how fast succulents grow. Some succulents can take time to grow and even longer if they get cold. Most succulents only grow in dry environments with little precipitation. The warmer the climate, the faster they will grow.
For the best results with succulents, it’s important to take care of them properly. If you check on them frequently, they should grow faster. They will grow more slowly if they don’t get enough sunlight or water.
How Long Does a Succulent Take to Grow from Seed?
It can take three days to a few weeks to start growing. However, some may take even two months to a year for a succulent plant to mature from seed. Again, it depends on the conditions.
Before you can begin growing your succulents, you will have to get them. You can order several different types online, but it’s probably better to visit an actual store to see them and pick the ones you like best. You should ensure you have purchased the right seeds; your succulent needs all the attention it can get, and do not mistreat it. If you are considering purchasing succulents online, you should ensure the seller is reputable and that they offer a warranty for their product. Also, some sellers who wish to increase margins may not be willing to offer you a guarantee of their product.
Tips on Growing Succulents Faster
Growing succulents faster and happier is about providing them with the right conditions. Here are some tips to help you do just that!
Proper Watering
Ensuring your plant has enough water is critical for the best results regarding how fast succulents grow. If you’re buying plants online, ensure you get ones suitable for your climate. If not, choose a type that can survive in your climate with a little care. For example, if you live in an area with high humidity, consider getting something that thrives in this environment.
Light
Succulents will grow more quickly if they get direct sunlight. However, this is not a necessity. It is better to let them sit in a place that receives some indirect sunlight and to water them less frequently. If you’re growing succulents indoors, ensure they have enough light to live and grow with. Remember that succulents need little water and are drought-tolerant plants! You can even consider different setups for indoor succulents. You could, for example, have some growing in pots while the rest sit on a terrace in full sun.
Temperature
Succulents react to temperature differently than other plants. They become increasingly active as temperatures go up in summer and less active as they go down in winter.
Soil
One of the most important things to remember about how fast succulents grow is that they need loose soil. If you live in an area with heavy clay or soil, you should consider buying a potting mix so your succulent can have the best possible growth. If you buy succulents in person, you can ask if they have a growing mixture for their plants.
Repotting
Succulents grow fast and will outgrow their pots sooner or later. It is better to report them over time rather than repotting them all at once and forcing their roots to adjust. You can do it multiple times a year. A good tip is to plant them after the first watering and then keep watering for a few weeks until the soil dries out. Then, slowly decrease the water by half each day until you see your succulent start shrinking from stem elongation. If the soil is too wet, wipe the leaves off with a cloth; if it’s too dry, water again.
Do succulents need soil?
Succulents don’t necessarily need soil. They will grow fine on the ground or in water, but it would be hard for them to survive. Instead, they grow on rocks, tree branches, cement, or other surfaces that let rainfall and sunshine all year round. That’s why they grow best in a dry environment without much rainfall. They are also very sensitive to humidity, so keep that in mind.
What happens to Underwatered succulents?
Underwatering your succulents can be dangerous for them. It’s easy to overwater if you’re not careful, so try to be aware of how much water your succulent needs. Most succulents only need a very small amount of water per week to thrive, but if you’re having issues, you can always monitor the soil in your pot and tell how often it needs to be watered.
What are the signs of underwatered succulents?
Leaf color changes
The succulent leaves will turn yellow, then brown, and eventually die. This is a sure sign that the plant is thirsty and needs more water.
Stems shrink
If your succulents are under-watered, the stems will begin to shrink. If this happens, you must let the plant dry out for a few days and resume watering them carefully. However, throw them away immediately if there is even the slightest hint of rot or fungus.
Leaves getting crispy
If the above signs fail to warn you, try examining your succulent leaves. Most succulents will wither and die if left out of water for too long. So you should get rid of the succulent immediately if the leaves begin to look like they are turning brown and crispy.
Succulents need very little water to survive, but fluctuations affect their growth patterns. Finding out how much water they need is important in keeping them happy and healthy.
Can Succulents be Overwaterd?
Yes, succulents can become overwatered. But the problem with overwatering succulents isn’t as much about drowning them as rotten roots and leaves. If you are overwatering your succulents, you water them too much and in the wrong amount.
How Much Water do Succulents Need?
It depends on the variety of succulents and where they came from, but keep in mind that they should be watered when the soil feels dry to the touch. Also, overwatering will cause roots to rot and leaves to wither.
Overwatered succulents have similar symptoms to underwatered succulents.
Here are the signs of overwatered succulents:
Leaves are turning black
If your succulents are turning black, it is a sure sign that they are overwatered. As you may have noticed, the leaves will turn black and become susceptible to fungus if you’re overwatering them. This can happen even if the soil is dry, so check for moisture in the pot before watering again.
Leaves are curling up
Another sign of overwatered succulents is when their leaves curl up and wither from the edges inward. Most succulents will start to curl up when their water levels are too high, so you’ll have to eliminate them immediately if you see this.
Wilting, Drooping Leaves
If your succulent drinks too much water, its leaves will wilt, droop, and eventually fall off. If you notice this happening, cut off the dead leaves before they rot and ensure that there is enough water in the soil at all times.
Once you notice these overwatered/underwatered succulents, it’s time to start a new batch or re-pot them.
What happens if I Water too much?
If you are watering your succulents too often, they will not be able to retain water. This can cause them to die. Overwatering also causes nutrient loss, making it harder for your succulent to stay healthy.
What causes Leggy succulent (etiolated succulent)?
The succulent will become leggy when they are not exposed to enough sunlight. Because succulents have shallow roots and need a lot of sunlight to grow, they can become leggy if they are not getting enough light.
How Do I grow succulents from leaves?
Succulents can grow from leaves. Here are easy step-by-step procedures on how to grow succulents from leaves.
- Remove the leaves from the stem.
- Put the leaves in a glass of water and ensure they are at room temperature.
- A white soft ball-like thing might grow on top of the leave. This is called a callus.
- After 2-6 weeks, you will notice roots growing out of your callus (you may have to wait longer if you use bigger leaves). Do not water it until roots begin to form.
- As the root system develops, you need to transfer it to a pot with soil.
- Make sure that the soil is warm and humid.
- After 2-3 weeks, it will grow its first set of leaves. This can take longer if you use big leaves or when it’s colder outside. Once there is enough sunlight, your succulent will grow faster.
How to grow succulents from cuttings?
It is very easy to grow succulents from cuttings. Here are a few step-by-step techniques on how to grow succulents from cuttings.
- Take the stem of your succulent and trim off the leaves so that it only has two sets of leaves starting from the bottom and going up the stem. This will be your cutting.
- Dig a hole in your soil and push the cutting into it with the leaves down.
- Cover your cutting with soil and ensure it is watered lightly. Don’t water it again until there are signs of new growth on the stem and new roots starting to develop.
How Do You Transplant Succulents?
If you want to move your succulent, here are a few tips to help you transplant succulents successfully.
- Water the plant well before you transplant it. It’s a good idea to water it 2-3 times a day before your transplant so that the soil will be moist but not wet when you’re ready to move it.
- Dig a hole in the soil where you want you’re succulent to go and use some of the existing soil to fill in around the roots.
- Water the plant well.
- Use your hands to gently press the soil down around the roots and ensure no air pockets.
- Water it gently so that there will be no displaced soil.
- If you notice that your succulent is wilting even after you planted it, make sure to water it lightly until there is some new growth from the stem.
Conclusion
Succulents are low maintenance and can be a great addition to your home or garden. They can also be grown in small areas, so they’re a great addition if you have limited space. However, they need special attention so that they can grow healthily. For this reason, you must know the best soil for succulents, proper light conditions for succulents, suitable fertilizer for succulents, how to overwater succulents, and how to underwatered succulents.