The classification “succulent” covers a massive variety of plants from many different species and genera, each with different properties, including growth size. Depending on the succulent you have, your plant may grow quite large or stay rather small. Regardless, all succulents have opportunities for growth as long as they’re given proper love and attention.
Aeonium is a genus of beautiful rosette-shaped succulents that can grow to varying heights depending on several factors. In this article, we’ll explore how tall Aeonium plants can grow and what affects their maximum height potential.
Aeoniums are subtropical succulents that originate from the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Madeira. There are around 35 species within the Aeonium genus, featuring distinctive rosettes of waxy, colorful leaves. Leaves can come in green, yellow, pink, red, black, bronze, and purple hues.
These succulents are prized for their architectural form and ease of care. Their tight circular leaf arrangements are eye-catching in any garden. Aeoniums also work beautifully in containers.
Depending on the species, Aeonium plants grow in a range of sizes. Smaller varieties may reach just 1 foot tall, while larger Aeonium shrubs can achieve heights of 6 feet.
What are the Factors that Determine Height?
Many elements influence how tall your Aeonium can grow. Below we’ll break down the key factors that affect maximum potential height.
1. Aeonium Species
The species of Aeonium plays a major role in expected size Some species which remain more compact include
- Aeonium haworthii – Reaches about 1 foot tall.
- Aeonium tabuliforme – Grows 12 inches tall and wide.
- Aeonium undulatum – Matures at 1 to 3 feet.
Larger species that grow into shrubs include
- Aeonium arboreum – Grows from 3 to 6 feet tall.
- Aeonium canariense – Reaches 2 to 4 feet.
- Aeonium decorum – Achieves heights between 1 and 3 feet.
So when choosing your Aeonium, be mindful of species size if your space has height restrictions. Dwarf Aeoniums are great for containers on tables and shelves. Meanwhile, medium to large varieties make excellent landscape plants.
2. Sun Exposure
Like most succulents, Aeoniums need plenty of direct sunlight to reach their full potential. At least 4-6 hours of sun per day is ideal. With insufficient light, the stems elongate and go lanky as the plant stretches to find sunlight.
If you cannot provide adequate sun, invest in grow lights to supplement natural lighting. Or opt for a more shade-tolerant Aeonium species.
3. Soil Quality
Aeoniums require fast-draining soil to prevent rot. Heavy clay or dense soil will impede drainage leading to root issues. Stunted growth often occurs in soggy soil.
Use a cactus/succulent potting mix or create your own blend with equal parts potting soil, perlite, and sand. This gives roots the aeration they need while providing some moisture retention.
4. Watering Habits
Too much or too little water affects height. Overwatering causes roots to rot, stunting growth. Underwatering leads to desiccated leaves falling off, also impacting development.
Aim to water when the top 1-2 inches of soil have dried out. During active growth, a thorough weekly watering is usually sufficient. Reduce frequency in winter during dormancy.
5. Temperature & Humidity
Aeoniums thrive in temperatures between 65-75°F and appreciate 40-60% humidity. Avoid exposing plants to freezing temperatures and rapid shifts in temps.
If your climate is hot and dry, create a more favorable microclimate by grouping pots together and using pebble trays. Place Aeoniums out of harsh sun in summer.
6. Nutrition
While fertilizer is not essential for Aeoniums, a balanced diluted feed encourages growth and larger sizes. Use a succulent fertilizer or compost tea 1-2 times per month during spring through fall. Discontinue in winter.
7. Plant Age
Like any plant, Aeoniums grow fastest when young. Their growth rate slows as the plant ages. A 3 year old specimen will be much larger than a 1 year old. Allow plenty of time for your Aeonium to mature if maximum height is your goal.
8. Container Size
When grown in pots, Aeoniums cannot exceed the container size. Repotting into larger pots gives roots more room to expand, supporting increased height. Just don’t jump more than 2 inches up in container size at one time.
9. Pruning Regimen
Occasional pruning and grooming keeps Aeoniums full and compact. But over-zealous pruning stresses the plant, potentially slowing growth. Find the right balance between trimming older leaves and leaving the plant be.
Typical Height Ranges by Species
Now that we’ve covered the factors that influence height, let’s look at the typical size ranges for popular Aeonium species:
- Aeonium arboreum – 3 to 6 feet
- Aeonium canariense – 2 to 4 feet
- Aeonium decorum – 1 to 3 feet
- Aeonium haworthii – 1 foot
- Aeonium sedifolium – 1 to 2 feet
- Aeonium simsii – 1 to 2 feet
- Aeonium smithii – 1 foot
- Aeonium tabuliforme – 1 foot
- Aeonium undulatum – 1 to 3 feet
- Aeonium urbicum – 1 to 2 feet
- Aeonium zwaktop – 1 to 3 feet
Keep in mind these ranges portray plants growing in ideal conditions. Heights on the lower end represent container plants or those with suboptimal care.
Achieving Maximum Heights
If your goal is to grow the tallest Aeonium possible, follow these tips:
- Select a large species like A. arboreum or A. canariense.
- Plant in the ground in zones 9-11 where Aeoniums are hardy.
- Choose a site with full sun exposure (at least 6 hours per day).
- Amend native soil with extra perlite/sand to improve drainage.
- Water 1-2 times weekly in summer, reduce in winter.
- Fertilize monthly during spring through fall.
- Allow 3-5 years for the plant to reach maturity.
- Prune minimally, only to shape and remove spent leaves.
Final Thoughts
With the right species selection and optimal growing conditions, you can achieve tall Aeonium specimens up to 6 feet. Smaller compact varieties also make delightful container plants. Pay attention to your plant’s requirements and you’ll be rewarded with a beautifully lush succulent garden.
Factors that Affect Growth
Despite their variety, all succulents have similar care needs and growth requirements. The following aspects are the most basic things that’ll affect your succulent’s growth:
The amount of light your succulent receives will directly affect its growth. With less sunlight, your succulent has less energy to photosynthesize and will thus grow at a much slower pace. The more sunlight your plant receives, the more likely it is to grow. However, some succulents have tender leaves that will burn in direct sunlight. Sunburnt leaves will not photosynthesize, so it’s best to keep your succulents in bright, indirect sunlight. Turning your succulent around once every so often will also help it grow fuller and more symmetrical.
Bright, indirect sunlight is best for succulents grow. Photo by Thang Tat Nguyen
Water is another factor that directly affects the speed at which your succulents grow. Water is required for photosynthesis; the less water your succulents have, the less material it has to photosynthesize. Watering your succulents whenever their soil is completely dry to the touch is the best way to ensure your succulents get plenty of water, but not too much.
Watering succulents whenever their soil is completely dry to touch. Photo by agrobacter
Soil provides your succulents with nutrients that it needs to grow and a medium for the roots to cling to. It’s essential to provide succulents with well-draining soil to prevent root rot and overwatering, which will stall your plant’s growth. Your succulent’s nutrient levels will also play a role in its growth. To find the happy medium, check out our in-depth care guides for your specific plant.
It’s essential to provide succulents with well-draining soil to prevent root rot and overwatering. Photo by Susan Gary
The size of your pot can also play a role in how your succulent grows; if your succulent is in a pot that’s too small, it can become root-bound and stop growing altogether. If you want to keep your succulent relatively small, you can trim its roots, so it stays about the same size all the time.
Larger pots don’t necessarily mean larger succulents. Your succulent will have more room to grow and more time to fill the pot– its growth rate won’t change.
Your environment’s average temperature will also affect how your succulent grows. If your succulent is exposed to a chilly breeze or cooler temperatures in the winter, then it’ll grow slower than usual. However, some succulents don’t like hot weather and will wilt in hot, humid climates.
Generally speaking, outdoor succulents tend to grow much larger than their indoor counterparts because they have more space to spread out.
Outdoor succulents tend to grow much larger than their indoor counterparts. Photo by Lisa Romerein
So, what kinds of succulents get the biggest? Since size is relative, we’ve broken up our biggest growers into several categories based on how they grow.
Succulents that grow tall are often more compact than other succulents and gain verticality as they grow as opposed to horizontal spread. Common tall-growers include:
These succulents make for great ground cover since they spread along the ground relatively quickly. Spreader succulents’ size comes from horizontal growth, not vertical growth. Common spreaders include:
Trailing succulents may seem compact, depending on where you keep them. However, they have vines that can grow quite long. Common trailing succulents include:
These succulents are your best bet if you’re looking for something a bit more compact. Compact succulents tend to stay small their entire lives and are best kept in the home. Common compact succulents include:
Some succulents that reproduce via offshoots stay relatively compact but can spread out pretty far through their pups. To keep these succulents compact, simply prune off or propagate your mother plant’s offshoots as needed. Succulents that stay small but spread via offshoots include:
Growing Beautiful Aeonium Pink Witch | Soil, Cuttings & Potting | Growing Succulents with LizK
FAQ
How tall can Aeonium get?
|
Common Name
|
Aeonium, tree houseleek
|
|
Plant Type
|
Succulent
|
|
Mature Size
|
3–36 in. tall, 6-12 in. wide
|
|
Sun Exposure
|
Full, partial
|
|
Soil Type
|
Sandy, loamy
|
What if my Aeonium gets too tall?
How do you stop Aeonium from growing?
How tall does Aeonium grow?
Aeonium arboreum: This widely available plant has bright green rosettes on a branching stem. It has a shrubby form and can grow as tall as 6 feet in the garden, or 3 feet in containers. Aeonium arboreum ‘Atropurpureum ‘: This 3- to 5-foot tall cultivar has maroon leaves if grown in bright light.
What temperature does Aeonium arboreum need to grow?
Aeonium arboreum is a fairly easy succulent to grow and thrive. It prefers a temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent. The plant may be sensitive to cold temperatures depending on how dry the soil is.
Are aeoniums easy to grow?
Aeonium haworthii ‘Tricolor’ or ‘Kiwi’: An easy growing 2- to 3-foot plant, it has 4-inch flowers that have pale yellow centers when young, maturing to red and green. Propagating aeonium results in a number of plants from just one cutting because of the way the plant branches, so it’s a good way to multiply your collection.
How much sunlight do aeoniums need?
As with most succulents, aeonium plants will grow best in full or partial sunlight. In hot summers and desert conditions, light shade may be necessary, especially during the hotter afternoon hours. If you’re growing the plant indoors, place them in a window that gets bright, indirect light for at least six to eight hours a day.