What to do When Succulents Get Too Tall?

If you have succulents that grow too tall, you might be wondering what to do with them. As beautiful as they are, they tend to grow quite quickly. Before you mess things up and break your succulents, read this guide on what to do when succulents get too tall.

But first, learn to find out why your succulents are growing too tall.

Why are my Succulents Growing Tall?

If you wonder why succulents grow tall, then you’re not alone. I used to think that too. Tall succulents are fairly common, and there are a few reasons why your succulents may be growing tall.

Reason#1 – Reaching for the sun:

The first reason why succulents can grow tall is because they are reaching for the sun. All plants need sunlight to survive and thrive, so taller plants like succulents can get more of it. This is why you will often find succulents in sunny locations.

Reason #2 – Not getting enough water:

Another reason why some succulents may be growing tall is due to a lack of water. Succulents are incredibly tough and can survive long periods without water, but if they’re not getting enough, it can cause them to stretch out in search of more water. This is why it’s important to water your succulents regularly.

Reason #3 – Insufficient nutrients:

If your succulent isn’t getting the proper nutrients for growth, it can cause them to grow tall. These nutrients include things like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You can also provide your succulent with a fertilizer high in these nutrients to promote healthier growth.

Reason #4 – Overcrowding:

Overcrowding can be another reason. If too many succulents exist in one pot, they may compete for space and cause some of the plants to grow taller than others. Giving each succulent enough room to spread its roots and grow is important.

Reason#5 – Genetics:

Do you know that some succulents may just be genetically predisposed to growing taller than others? While you can’t change a plant’s genetics, you can ensure its environment is conducive to proper growth. Be very attentive toward giving your succulent plenty of sunlight, water, and nutrients so it can reach its full potential.

So why do succulents grow tall? All five reasons are self-explanatory, but the main takeaway is to make sure your succulents are getting enough sunlight, water, and nutrients.

When you take good care of these plants, you can expect them to grow to a healthy size. And if it does grow too tall, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to manage it. I’ll discuss them shortly.

How Tall can Succulents Grow?

Succulents are a trendy plant choice for both experienced and novice gardeners. They thrive in many environments, require very little maintenance, and come in a variety of colors and shapes.

One of the most appealing aspects of succulents is that they generally stay relatively small in size, making them ideal for any sized space. But how tall can succulents grow?

Most species of succulents will only reach a maximum height between 6-12 inches. Some varieties may reach as high as 18 inches in ideal conditions, but this is not typical. This makes them perfect for small planters and terrariums when grown indoors or for rock gardens and succulent beds when placed outside.

However, if you have a succulent that is growing taller than its average height, it may be an indication that something is amiss with its environment or that the plant needs to be pruned. Succulents grow tall and leggy when they receive too much water, not getting enough sunlight, or are overcrowded in their pot.

If you have a succulent that is growing too tall, the first step is to inspect its environment and determine if any of these conditions are present. If it’s receiving too much water, reduce how often you water your plant, and let the soil dry out completely between watering sessions. If it’s not receiving enough light, move the plant to a brighter spot in your home or garden.

And if the pot is overcrowded, consider repotting your succulent into a larger container with fresh soil.

7 Things you can do When Succulents Get Too Tall

Succulents come in many shapes and sizes, and can breathe life into even the plainest of spaces. However, they can quickly get too tall for their space and become an eyesore when left alone and uncared for. So if your beloved succulent has outgrown, here are seven things you can do when your succulents get too tall:

1. Pruning

Pruning is the simplest and quickest way to keep succulent growth in check. You can carefully snip off any overgrown stems or leaves with a pair of sharp scissors. This will instantly give your succulent a neat look, while still allowing it to grow back bigger and stronger than before.

How to prune succulents:

Identify which sections of the succulent need pruning.
Use sharp scissors to snip off the excess growth from each stem or leaf.
Trim any roots that may be visible above the soil line. Try not to cut too deep, or you could damage the plant’s root system.
To minimize the chances of infection, sanitize your pruning tools between each cut.
When you’re done, immediately discard any discarded stems or leaves to prevent them from rooting in the soil and becoming a new plant!

2. Relocate

Succulents are incredibly adaptable, so you can easily relocate them to a larger container or another part of the garden. Make sure the new spot has plenty of sunlight and drainage holes in the bottom that allow excess water to escape. Apart from this, switch out your succulent’s soil for better-quality ingredients like peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite as this will help promote healthy root growth.

How to relocate succulents:

Begin by gently removing the succulent from its current container and carefully brushing away any old soil or debris attached to it.
Use a shovel or garden trowel to dig a hole in the soil of your chosen location.
Place the succulent’s roots into the new hole and fill it with fresh potting mix.
After that, water the plant generously and wait for it to adjust to its new spot before pruning or repotting it further.

3. Cut off the stem just above the leaves

If you think your succulent’s stem is too tall, you can cut off the top portion just above the leaves. This will instantly make your succulent shorter and more manageable.

How to cut off the stem:

Find a sharp pair of scissors or garden shears for this job.
Now, carefully cut off the excess stem just above the leaves.
Ensure your cut is clean so the succulent can heal properly and be less prone to infection.

4. Repot

When you ask most gardening experts what to do with tall succulents? They’ll probably say go for repotting. Repotting is an effective way to control the growth of your succulent. It will reduce its height and provide a fresh start with better soil and environment for healthy regrowth.

How to repot succulents that are too tall:

Start by gently removing the succulent from its existing pot and brushing away any old soil or debris attached to it.
Now, take a pot that’s two inches bigger than the original one and fill it with fresh potting mix.
Place the succulent into the new pot and gently tuck its roots into the soil line.
After that, water the pot generously and let it sit in a warm spot until the roots have had time to adjust.
Monitor your succulent over the next few weeks and move it to a shadier area if needed.
Prune any overgrowth that may occur during this period, but ensure not to cut too deep into the stem or roots.

5. Fertilize during the growing season

What to do when your succulents get too tall? Simple, fertilize them! Fertilizing your succulents is vital to their care as it strengthens their roots and encourages healthy growth. Use a liquid fertilizer or granular slow-release mix for best results.

How to fertilize your succulents:

Combine the fertilizer with water according to the instructions on the package.
Now, water your succulent with the fertilizer solution and see that the soil has absorbed all of it.
Keep tabs on your plant for any signs of over-fertilizing, like yellowing or wilting leaves. If this occurs, cut back on the amount of fertilizer you use.
Fertilize your succulent every four weeks during the growing season and avoid doing so in winter when the plant is resting.

6. Give it more light

If your succulent is still growing taller than you’d like, try giving it a bit more light. Sometimes, when a succulent doesn’t receive enough light, it begins to stretch in an attempt to reach the sun.

How to give your succulent more light:

Place it in a sunny spot where it can receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. If you can’t give the plant enough sunlight, use a grow light to supplement its needs.

7. Propagate it

Propagating your succulent is an effective way to reduce its height while keeping the original plant alive and healthy. Propagation involves taking a piece of your succulent that has a leaf or stem with some roots attached to it and replanting it in fresh soil. Over time, this new piece will form a small plant, and you can then use it to replace your tall succulent.

How to propagate succulents that are too tall:

Start by taking a sharp knife or scissors and carefully cutting off a succulent piece with at least one leaf with some roots attached to it.
Now, take a small pot and fill it with fresh potting mix.
Plant the cuttings into the soil and ensure they are buried deep enough to hold themselves up.
After that, water the pot generously and let it sit in a warm spot until the roots have had time to adjust.
Monitor your succulent over the next few weeks and move it to a shadier area if needed.
Prune any overgrowth that may occur during this period, but ensure not to cut too deep into the stem or roots.
Place the pot in a bright area and let the succulent get plenty of sunlight for at least 6-8 hours a day.
As you begin to see new growth from your succulent cutting, start to water it less often. This will help encourage root growth and keep the soil from becoming soggy.
Once the roots of your succulent cutting have grown substantially, you can transplant them into a bigger pot with fresh soil.
Now, water your succulent as you normally would and continue to monitor its progress over the following weeks. Prune away any stems that continue to grow too tall if needed.

All you need to do is provide the succulents with proper care and attention, and they will remain at a manageable and visually pleasing height.

Conclusion

We hope you finally know what to do when succulents get too tall. They can get too tall for their pots or environment if not properly cared for. To prevent succulents from becoming too large, water them correctly and prune them regularly. If the succulent is already too tall, it can be cut back and replanted into a larger pot with fresh soil.

Moreover, repotting into a larger container with new soil can help promote healthy growth. With careful attention and regular maintenance, succulents can be kept manageable and look great in any environment!