Succulents are some of the best houseplants right now, and it is for a good reason. They can thrive in almost any condition, require minimal care and are a great way to inject some color into your living space. There is one problem, though – they don’t always grow fast enough! However, the good news is that some of them grow quickly, so you won’t have to wait too long for them to become a beautiful addition to your home.
So, what are some of the fastest growing succulents? Some of the fastest growing succulents are aloe vera, Crassula, kalanchoe, aeonium, Sedum, and Echeveria. Others include haworthia, sempervivum, stonecrops, opuntia, and agave. While most of these will do well in partial sun, some require full sunlight or shade.
This article describes some of the fastest growing succulents, their characteristics and basic care requirements.
Average Growth Rate for Succulents
Before we dive deep into some of the fastest growing succulents, it is essential to understand that not all succulents grow at the same rate.
Generally, most succulents can take anywhere from two to five years to reach maturity and start flowering.
For instance, a saguaro cactus can take 75-100 years to reach its full size. However, some succulents, such as aloe vera, grow much faster, reaching maturity in one or two years.
Some succulents grow moderately fast, while others are slow growing. It is essential to understand the growth rate of your succulent to ensure you provide it with optimum care.
Fastest Growing Succulents
Now that you have a better understanding of the growth rate of various succulents, here are some of the fastest growing ones.
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the most popular succulent houseplants. It grows quickly if given sufficient sunlight and water and can reach maturity in as little as a year.
This succulent has thick stems and fleshy leaves for storing moisture. Unlike other succulents such as aeonium, aloe vera leaves don’t have sharp edges. Instead, they are well-rounded or pencil-shaped.
When the plant is mature, it produces beautiful yellow or orange flowers.
Aloe vera can grow up to eight inches long when provided with the right growing conditions. It can tolerate relatively high temperatures quite well.
This makes it a perfect succulent for your balcony or patio, where you want some greenery but don’t want anything too delicate for survival.
There are more than 500 different aloe species, but only a few can be grown as houseplants. Aloe vera is perhaps the most common variety, but others include Aloe marlothii, Aloe aristata, and Aloe striatula.
2. Crassula
Another fast-growing succulent is the popular Crassula. It has various shapes and sizes, from rosettes to shrubs. This evergreen succulent looks excellent in hanging baskets or planted in large containers where it can spread out.
It has thick, fleshy leaves that can store moisture. The leaves may be rounded or pointed depending on the species and sometimes have a reddish hue.
Crassula grows quickly when given enough light, water, and regular pruning. If you want to speed up its growth rate, plant it in a soil rich in nutrients.
Crassula can also tolerate hot temperatures and drought, making it a great choice for those who want low-maintenance succulents.
There are more than 200 species of Crassula, with some of the most popular varieties including the Jade Plant (Crassula ovata), Crassula helmsii, and Crassula portulacea.
3. Irish Rose Plant
The Irish Rose plant is one of the most famous subtropical succulents native to the Canary Islands. The Irish Rose is a tree-like succulent that can grow fairly large depending on whether it is grown indoors or outdoors.
The succulent can survive both indoors and outdoors perfectly. The only thing it requires is access to good sunlight.
So, if you are growing it indoors, you will need to provide it with sufficient sunlight or install artificial grow lights.
The Irish Rose plant grows fairly fast and blooms beautiful yellow flowers from late winter to spring. The succulent thrives in full sun during the cold months and in coastal regions.
The succulent has fleshy, rounded leaves that can store moisture in case of drought or excessive heat.
When grown indoors, the succulent will reach up to 5 feet tall. In outdoor settings, however, it can grow up to 8 feet tall and even more if given enough water and sunlight.
The Irish Rose is one of the best choices for those looking for a fast-growing succulent, as it can reach full maturity in one or two years. Its unique beauty and resilience make it an ideal houseplant for all types of gardeners.
4. Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is another popular succulent with a fast growth rate. It has thick, fleshy leaves that are usually dark green but can sometimes have markings of different colors.
This succulent is known for its vibrant and colorful flowers, making it a great addition to any indoor or outdoor garden.
Kalanchoe is an easy-to-care-for succulent that grows quickly if given enough light, water, and regular pruning. This succulent can reach up to two feet tall when grown indoors. When planted outdoors, it can reach up to four feet tall.
5. Sedum
Have you ever visited your local grocery store and seen some succulents labelled “instant succulents?” If so, you must have come across the beautiful sedum plant because it is always among this group of succulents.
Sedums are fast-growing succulent plants with thick fleshy foliage that store moisture and can tolerate drought or hot weather well. These plants can reach up to two feet tall, depending on the species.
The foliage of Sedum is usually dark green or blue-green and sometimes has a pink or purple blush. Sedums can thrive in both full sun and partial shade, but for best results, you should give them an hour or two of direct sunlight every day.
These succulents are great for container gardens or rockery designs due to their fast-growing nature and low maintenance needs. They can be used as ground covers or hanging basket plants, making them ideal for the novice gardeners.
These succulents also come in different colors and shapes, allowing you to choose the perfect one for your garden.
6. Haworthia
Haworthia is another exciting plant on our list of fast growing succulents. Also referred to as the mother plant, haworthia produces female flowers first before producing male flowers.
The plant is native to South Africa and has fleshy leaves that are usually dark green with markings of white or yellow.
When grown indoors, haworthia grows quickly and can reach up to a foot tall in one year. Outdoors, it can easily grow up to six feet tall when given enough sunlight and water.
Haworthia is an easy-care succulent that doesn’t require much maintenance. It is drought-resistant and can thrive in full sun or partial shade.
This succulent is ideal for rock gardens, container gardens, and hanging baskets since it does not take up much space and come in various shapes and sizes.
So, if you’re looking for a unique and easy-care succulent, haworthia is a great choice.
7. Sempervivum
If you are looking for something more tender to feel and highly attractive, you should try sempervivum. Although this succulent grows slightly more slowly than the other succulents on this list, they are great for areas with cold winters.
Sempervivum has a rosette structure that produces small star-shaped flowers during summer. They usually come in shades of pink, red and purple but can also be found in yellow and orange hues. Its leaves are usually green or grey-green with silver markings.
This succulent does best in full sun and is drought-resistant. It prefers well-draining soil that holds some moisture but should not be too wet. Sempervivum will thrive in pots, rock gardens, and hanging baskets.
The succulent is easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, making it an excellent choice for novice gardeners.
8. Aeonium
Aeonium is one of the most popular succulents due to its unique rosette shape and vibrant colors. It has thick fleshy leaves that are usually green, red, yellow, or purple. The flower heads of aeonium are usually yellow, but some species can produce white and pink flowers as well.
Aeonium prefers full sun and should be watered deeply when the soil is completely dry. It’s drought-resistant and can tolerate cold temperatures better than other succulents.
This succulent is great for container gardens and rockery designs since it adds texture and color to your outdoor space.
Aeonium is also low-maintenance and easy to care for, making it an excellent choice for many gardeners.
Summary
Succulents are known for being some of the easiest plants to grow, and with the right information, you can have a thriving succulent garden in no time.
In this blog post, we’ve listed eight of the fastest growing succulents so that you can get started on your journey to becoming a succulent gardening expert.
We hope you enjoy planting these beautiful plants and watching them thrive!
Last update on 2023-10-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
