Known for their hardiness and low maintenance, succulents are actually a great plant choice to start off with, even if you don’t have a green thumb. If you have succulents, and are wondering- do succulents grow bigger in bigger pots, here’s a bit of help.
Read on to get a quick overview about choosing the right pot for your succulent, and how you can take steps to make your succulent grow bigger and healthy.
How to Choose the Right Planter For Your Succulent?
Choosing the right planter or pot for your succulent can be a bit confusing.
You’ll find contradicting evidence online- some might suggest moving them into bigger pots to promote their growth, while others claim they grow better in smaller pots.
Well, both of them are actually true. It all depends on the growth stage of your succulents.
Do Succulents Grow Bigger in Bigger Pots?
Simply put, yes- succulents do grow bigger when transferred to a bigger pot. However, putting them in a large pot right at the beginning of their growth stage isn’t recommended.
If you have a young succulent plant, it makes sense to first put it in a smaller planter or pot. This way, the roots will reach the bottom and sides of the pot, and encourage more growth upwards- on the top.
Succulents have two kinds of roots- a thicker tap root that goes deep down and soaks up all the moisture, and the thinner root fibers that move and grow sideways. Putting your younger succulent in a large pot will just cause its root system to grow more. The succulent’s tap root might even end up absorbing more water than needed, which might cause its health to deteriorate.
When Should I Put My Succulent in a Bigger Pot?
While putting the succulent in a smaller pot makes sense when the plant is younger, moving it into a larger pot is better when the plant has turned 2 years old, or when you start to suspect that it is getting root bound.
If you’re confused about what being root bound really means, here’s a quick post to help you make sense of it.
Do Succulents Like to Be Root Bound?
How Can I Make My Succulent Grow Bigger?
While different succulents have different growth rates, it is important to note that succulents are very low maintenance, and can actually grow well without any major effort or intervention on your part.
However, with a little extra care and love they can grow bigger, and if that’s what you really want, here’s what you can do.
Use a Good Potting Mix
Succulents can grow faster and better when they have a nutrient rich potting mix as a growing medium. The best part is, you don’t necessarily need to change the potting mix very often.
Succulents also benefit greatly from a well-draining potting mix, so keep that in mind when you make your purchase.
Upgrade Your Pot
The general rule of the thumb with almost all succulents is that the more the space for the roots to grow, the larger the succulent will be.
If you have started off with a younger succulent, and it has been a long time and you haven’t moved it to a larger pot, you might want to consider giving your plant that upgrade.
If your succulent has stopped growing, and you suspect that it is root bound, transferring it to a larger pot can really help.
Remember that regardless of the size of the plant, having a drain hole at the bottom is an absolute must, especially with succulents.
Water the Succulent Right
While succulents can survive for long periods without water, having a consistent watering schedule can really make a difference in their health.
Different succulents have different watering needs, and if you’re confused about when is the right time to water your succulent, just follow this simple test. Check if the top layer of soil feels too dry to touch, and if it does, it is time to water your succulent.
Remember that transferring your succulent to a larger pot doesn’t necessarily mean that the succulent will grow bigger.
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