When you picture a succulent, what comes to mind? Probably thick, fleshy leaves forming a unique shape near the soil in a small pot, like the Crinkle Leaf Plant. You may also be picturing a small, palm-sized plant in a quaint pot, but did you know that there are also tall succulents?

 

Many succulent varieties reach amazing heights, making them a stunning addition to your decor or garden. From bright orange flowers to spiky cactus trunks, there are a variety of tall succulents that come in an abundance of styles. You’re bound to find one that fits your home (if your ceilings are high enough)!

 

 

Can Succulents Grow Tall?

Succulents are often viewed as small shrubs that grow close to the soil in a pot. However, certain types grow to incredible heights with proper care. This is typically due to the amount of sunlight the plant is exposed to in its natural habitat.

 

 

What Types of Succulent Grow Tall?

Whether you’re looking to add a succulent to your outdoor garden or a room with high ceilings, sometimes a succulent that can grow tall is the exact plant you need to make that space feel complete. Below are some high-reaching succulent collections for you to consider!

 

 

 

 

African Milk Tree

The African Milk Tree can reach up to 10 feet tall, the thin stems averaging a spread of one to two feet. This cactus has a lush green color and can produce bright red flowers in the latter half of the blooming season. It has a top-heavy shape that’s very striking. If you want a succulent that makes a statement, consider the African Milk Tree.

 

Native to southern and central Africa, the African Milk Tree loves sunlight. Put this large cactus in an entryway or on the patio so it can get all the light it needs. It prefers dry soil that contains sand or loam.

 

Hanging Chain Cholla

Also known as the Jumping Cholla, the Hanging Chain Cholla can reach up to 15 feet tall. Its nickname comes from its detaching branches, which will fall off the plant when something or someone brushes against it.

 

The Hanging Chain Cholla is a tree-like cactus thanks to a brown base and green sections produced on top. They often lean to the side. Older Hanging Chain Cholla plants are rough and scaly to the touch. However, this is contrasted by the small white flowers they grow once a year.

 

Hanging Chain Chollas are usually garden plants due to their size and shape. If you want to keep this plant outdoors, make sure you live in a warm environment (Zones 8 – 11 are ideal). They love natural sunlight and don’t require a lot of water. Their soil should be dry to moist but never wet.

 

Desert Rose

Growing up to 10 feet tall and reaching about two to five inches wide, the Desert Rose is large yet elegant compared to other succulents that grow tall. It has thin branches with green leaves and pink flowers at the end. This is an exotic and beautiful plant that will become the focal point of any room.

 

The Desert Rose loves sunlight and prefers direct sun, but it can do well in partial shade if it is not permanent. The plant should spend most of its time soaking up direct sunlight. The Desert Rose should also have well-draining succulent soil. If you want to grow the Desert Rose outside as a garden plant, make sure you live in Zone 10 or 11.

 

Saguaro Cactus

This magnificent cactus can grow up to 40 feet tall! Its branches, which are usually in a pitchfork-shape off of the main plant, can reach an astonishing three to six feet wide. The main trunk is thick and tall.

 

Due to the Saguaro Cactus’ ability to grow tall (very, very tall), you will most likely want this plant outside in your garden. You will need to live in Zones 9, 10, or 11. With proper, dry soil, you’ll get to see the Saguaro Cactus’s beautiful flowers (the state flower of Arizona). They are white and orange flowers that are daisy-like in shape and bloom at the tips of the branches.

 

Foxtail Agave

This one-of-a-kind, exotic succulent can grow 15 to 20 feet tall. Its name refers to a bud that bursts from the top of the plant and swoops downward like a fox’s fluffy tail. Those are over five feet tall themselves!

 

Out of all the succulents that grow tall, this is one of the most elegant and beautiful. And it doesn’t need a lot of care, making it an even more popular choice. The Foxtail Agave doesn’t need a lot of watering (it’s usually once or twice a month).

 

Soaptree Yucca

The Soaptree Yucca is a cactus that can grow up to 15 feet tall! This plant is easy to notice, thanks to its incredibly distinct and striking appearance. The Soaptree Yucca features slender, sharp green leaves that create a pom-pom effect at the top of shaggy trunks. They produce small white flowers that grow in bunches at the top of a thin stem that protrudes from the succulent’s base.

 

The Soaptree Yucca is native to New Mexico and enjoys warm weather (above 70 degrees Fahrenheit). They enjoy dry soil and prefer full sun on most days, so make sure they are planted in an area with plenty of sunlight.

 

Snake Plant

Many people aren’t even aware Snake Plants are succulents, but they are! The Snake Plant can reach up to eight feet tall if it’s grown outdoors. Though, this popular plant is often kept indoors due to its striking appearance and hardiness.

 

The Snake Plant has vibrant green, stiff leaves that point straight upward, creating an edgy aesthetic that has an impact on any room. This plant also significantly improves air quality in your home, making it one of the most impactful succulents that grow tall.

 

Many new plant parents choose the Snake Plant because it’s so versatile and low maintenance. It grows best in temperatures around 50 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit but can tolerate some changes. It also loves full sun but can thrive in partial shade.

 

 

Why Has My Succulent Grown So Tall?

While there are types of succulents that grow tall (up to 40 feet!), most succulent varieties are low-growing, able to neatly fit into a pot or amongst paving stones outside. So what caused your succulent to reach for the sky? Succulents grow tall when they aren’t getting enough sunlight.

 

This sounds peculiar to many plant owners because many assume that not having enough light would hinder a plant’s growth. But succulents go through a process called etiolation, which causes them to change shape and grow differently as they search for sunlight. They’re essentially stretching out, reaching for the sun.

 

 

What To Do When Your Succulent Gets Really Tall

If your succulent seems leggy and awkwardly tall, they most likely weren’t getting enough sun. Place them in a sunnier spot in your garden or home, like in front of a sunny window. This will prevent your succulent from stretching even further.

 

Once you place your succulent in a new spot, you can try and recorrect their growth by pruning them. Use a sharp pair of shears to cut right above a set of leaves. You want to leave enough healthy leaves on the plant so they can continue to thrive.

 

If you want, you can use the clipping to grow a healthy, new plant! Let the piece dry completely in a well-lit spot in your house. After two to three days, you’ll notice a callus forming on the raw end. The clipping can then be transferred directly to soil. Make sure the new succulent is in a sunny spot!

 

 

 

 

What is the Tallest Succulent Plant?

The Adansonia Digitata is regarded as the largest succulent plant in the world! The Adansonia Digitata can reach up to 82 feet tall. While incredibly tall, this African plant is more well known for the circumference of its trunk. Their shiny, bottle-shaped trunk can often reach a diameter of 46 feet, with thick and wide branches that resemble roots. The plant’s interesting shape has earned it the nickname the Upside Down Tree.

 

From September to November, the Adansonia Digitata bears large, showy white flowers. They produce a sweet scent. The Upside Down Tree also has large, round fruits that are filled with pulp. The pulp is often soaked and dissolved in water, creating a dish called “gunguleiz.”

 

 

Where Can I Find Succulents That Grow Tall?

Succulents come in all shapes and sizes, from stubby and shrub-like to tall and tree-like. If you are looking for unique succulents to add to your indoor or outdoor garden, you’re in the right place. We carry a huge variety of succulents, including the striking and tall Snake Plant. In fact, we have six beautiful, unique varieties!

 

 

Final Thoughts – Tall Succulents

Looking for succulents that are a bit bigger than usual? While there’s nothing wrong with the small succulents chilling in neat rosettes in a small pot on your windowsill, sometimes you want a bit more. Luckily there are also succulent varieties that grow very tall, providing an entirely different vibe to any room or yard.

 

Each variety of tall succulents has its own distinct look, from tree-like to desert cactus. Their blooms are also quite unique, giving them an even more exotic look. And most don’t take a lot of care. Give them an abundance of bright light, well-draining soil, and the right amount of water, and you’ll have a giant plant that’s one of a kind.