When organizing the desk, you suddenly found that the pot of succulent, which was only the size of your thumb when you first bought it, has now filled up the entire small pot -- the leaf blades have risen from three to a dozen, and the stalks have quietly lengthened a lot. Half a year has passed in the next pot, called “giant varieties” of succulents, but not been much growth. This makes you wonder: succulent in the end can grow how big? Is it a variety of words, or maintenance methods at play? In fact, the succulent “head” is like the height of a person, both natural genetic limitations but also affected by the environment. Today, to dismantle the code of succulent growth, so you know clearly that your own succulent can grow to how big, and how to help it grow to the ideal state.

The “size world” of succulents: differences beyond imagination

The size differences of succulents are like “miniature landscapes” and “sky-high trees” in nature. Some can stand firmly on the fingertips, only the size of a fingernail cap, for the rest of their lives; others can grow into half a person high “small shrubs”, needing to use a large pot or even ground planting to accommodate. This difference is largely determined by the species, but aftercare can also allow them to grow fuller within their “genetic upper limit” or keep them at a smaller size. Knowing your succulent's “breed potential” will help you avoid the anxiety of “three years of keeping it and it still hasn't grown” or the surprise of “it suddenly growing to take up too much space”.

The “growth ceilings” of different varieties of succulents 

• Miniature succulents: the eternal ‘cuties’ 
  This type of succulent is a perfect protagonist of “miniature landscapes”: Hime Star Beauty, Buddha Pearl (single plant), Major General (Aeonium), etc., usually 2-5 centimeters in adult size, with stalks so short that they are almost invisible, and leaves crowded together like a small, rounded ball. The growth rate is as slow as “slow-motion”, and it may take 2-3 years from seedling to adulthood, but after adulthood, the plant is basically “fixed” and will not get any bigger. Even if you give them enough nutrients and space, it's still hard to break through the 5cm limit. The One Bloom's “Mini Succulent Gift Box” contains these varieties, and with a small hand-painted pot of 3-5cm, it looks like a small ornamental piece when placed in a corner of your desk.
  
• Medium-sized succulents: the “workhorse” of home care 
  Most common succulents belong to this camp, and are medium-sized adults that don't take up a lot of space, so they're “regulars” on balconies and window sills: 
  Hazel Moon, Winter Beauty, and Purple Pearls are between 10 and 30 centimeters in size when they reach adulthood. The stalks will slowly lignify to form a textured old pile, with the number of leaves increasing year by year, but not wildly “expanding”, which is good for creating a sense of hierarchy. 3-5 years to grow to adult size, with roughly 3-5 cm of “fattening” per year. The growth rate will slow down after adulthood, then just a little pruning too too-dense branches will maintain a compact and full plant type, which will not look messy.
  
• Large succulents: the ones that can grow into “small plants.” 
  These succulents are the “giants” of the succulent world. They are so large that they need plenty of room to grow when they reach adulthood, and are better suited to the patio or spacious balcony: gold, amber, and giant columns in the cactus family, jade trees, and the mage series (Black Mage, Copper Pot Mage). When they reach adulthood, they can exceed 50 centimeters in height, and some can even grow to 1-2 meters, with stout stalks that look like small tree branches and dense foliage that looks like a small bush from a distance. The growth rate is faster than that of small and medium-sized succulents, especially the Mage series, which can grow 10-20 centimeters a year. If the pot is too small, it is easy to “hold” their growth, so every year you have to change the pot in order to let the root system stretch, continue to grow.
  

The “acquired factors” that affect the size of succulents: the details of care are critical 

Pots: space determines the “growth ceiling.” 

The root system of succulents is like a person's feet; shoes that are too small will limit the activities. Too small pots will trap the root system, resulting in the plant growing big. But too big a pot won't work either; the soil dries out slowly and is prone to rotting. The right way to do this is to use a 5-8 cm pot for miniature succulents, a 10-15 cm pot for medium-sized succulents, and a 20 cm pot for large succulents. The diameter of the pot should be 2-3 cm more than the widest part of the plant, so that there is a little space for growth. The One Bloom's “Stepped Pot Set” (5/10/15 cm) is just enough to satisfy the growing needs of succulents from small to large without having to change pots frequently.

Soil: nutrients affect “growth momentum.” 

Although succulents are tolerant of barrenness, a prolonged lack of nutrients can lead to stagnant growth and a thin body. Different soil formulas for different stages:

• For the seedling stage, use a soil with a lot of peat (The One Bloom's seedling-specific soil is 60% peat), which is fluffy and nutrient-rich, and allows the seedlings to grow their bodies quickly.
  
• As an adult, increase the proportion of pellets (50%-70%) and reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid growing in vain, but without affecting normal growth.
  
• Large succulents (such as Jade Tree) can be watered with diluted liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing period to help the stalks grow thicker.
  

Light: determines “whether the body is healthy or not.” 

When there is not enough light, succulents will desperately stretch the stalks to find sunlight, and the result is “futile growth” - it seems to grow taller, but the stalks are as thin as chopsticks! The leaves are sparse and not at all full, which is not a healthy “growth”.

• How to judge the futile growth: stalks section by section pulled very long, the distance between the leaves becomes far, light green color, the whole plant crooked, head is heavy.
  
• How to improve: Ensure 4-6 hours of direct light every day. If it grows too much, cut off the top and let it grow branches, and the plant will be more compact and good-looking.

How big you want your succulent to grow, you can control it like this

Want it to grow: give enough “growing conditions.”

• Timely change of pots: When the edge of the leaf touches the wall of the pot, or the root system emerges from the drainage hole, it's time to change to a larger pot, so as not to let the root system “squeeze” out of breath.
• Fertilize during the growing season: Spring and fall are the fastest-growing times for succulents. Sprinkle medium and large succulents with a slow-release fertilizer ( $10-$15 ) once a month, so that they have enough nutrients and will grow faster.
  
• Don't run out of water: water during the growing season (spring and fall) when you see the potting soil drying out. Don't wait until the soil is completely dry and cracked, or it will affect the growth rate.
  

Want to make it small: properly “limit growth.”

• Use small pots to control the cultivation: deliberately choose pots 1-2 sizes smaller than the standard size. For example, medium-sized succulents with 8 cm pots, the root system can not grow roots, the plant naturally grows slowly, and you can always maintain a small size.
  
• Less nitrogen fertilizer: Use only granular soil and no nitrogen-containing fertilizers when you are an adult, so that you can maintain the status quo and not grow like crazy.
  
• Regular pruning: If a medium-sized succulent grows too loose, cut off the overgrown branches and excess leaves to control the size and make the plant tidier.
  

Focus on “size management” for succulents at different stages 

• Young plants: Let the roots “grow” first 
  Don't worry too much about the size of your succulents in the first 6 months; focus on getting healthy roots. Use loose soil (30% pellets), don't fertilize, and place in an area with diffused light. Once the roots have filled the pot, the plant will naturally “power up” and grow. This is called “growing roots first, then growing flesh”.
  
• Growing Stage: Adjust as needed 
  If you have a lot of space at home, change to a larger pot, fertilize appropriately, and let it grow to the size it should be for the variety; if you have little space, use a small pot to control the growth, and don't let it grow too much to take up space. This stage can be flexible to adjust the maintenance according to your own preferences.
  
• Adulthood: Maintaining the “Ideal State” 
  Once it grows to a satisfactory size, reduce the frequency of pot changes (once every 2-3 years is fine), and don't be too diligent with watering and fertilizing. Occasionally, prune the overcrowded branches to keep the plant's shape looking good; no need to pursue “the bigger the better”.

Accepting the “natural growth” of succulents is the fun of caring for them.

Whether it's a miniature succulent the size of a fingernail cap, or a large succulent that can grow half a man's height, they all have their own unique beauty,“ says a veteran florist at The One Bloom. ”You don't need to obsess about the size of the succulent you're keeping, but rather, learn about its varietal characteristics, give it the right environment, and watch it grow. It's just a matter of understanding the characteristics of the species, giving it the right environment, and watching it grow at its own pace that is the greatest joy." Sometimes, the pot slowly grows into an old pile of medium-sized succulents, then deliberately promotes the large succulent for more flavor. With the company of your heart, you will find that every size of succulent has its unique loveliness.