Are you on the lookout for plants that can fill out your space quickly? Then, here we have some fast growing succulents for you!
Succulents are often known for their slow growth, but some varieties buck that trend by sprouting leaves, spreading, or even flowering within months! This article highlights the fast growing succulents for your home and garden. Select your favorite ones and make the most of them.
1. Devil’s Backbone
Botanical Name: Euphorbia tithymaloides
Devil’s Backbone is a quirky, low-maintenance succulent that can grow around 8-12 inches in a year when it’s content. Its unique zigzag stem and splashes of green, white, and pink on the leaves are just beautiful. Morning sunlight is perfect and keep it in a spot with bright, indirect light. Water it sparingly—too much water is a quick way to make this devil fussy!
2. Purple Rose Tree
Botanical Name: Aeonium arboretum
The Purple Rose Tree isn’t just a looker—it’s a fast grower and can reach impressive heights of up to 10 feet when grown outdoors in ideal conditions. Indoors, you can still expect significant growth in a year, especially with adequate sunlight. Its rosettes of deep purple leaves are eye-catching and will definitely make someone new question if the plant is real or not!
3. Aloe Vera
Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis miller
Apart from its useful medicinal properties, Aloe Vera is also one of the quickest-growing succulents. Expect it to grow around 2-6 inches in height each year, filling out its pot and adding new offsets. Just provide bright, indirect light, and it’ll do the rest!
Plus, a great thing about the Aloe Vera plant is that it is easily available and lives for a long time.
4. Jade Plant
Botanical Name: Crassula ovate
The Jade Plant can grow up to 6 feet within a few years and is praised for its round, fleshy leaves. In ideal light, it can grow 2-3 inches per year—in at least four or more hours of direct sunlight. Over time, it can reach a few feet in height, developing thick, woody stems that make it look like a miniature tree.
But be very vigilant about keeping the Jade plant if you have cats or dogs in your house because unfortunately, it is toxic to them!
5. String of Buttons
Botanical Name: Crassula perforata
This unique succulent is a stacker—literally! And with ideal light and watering, it can reach up to 10 inches tall in a year. Its cute button-like leaves spiral around the stem are the reason that it is good for container gardening. The plant will grow best in indirect and bright light. Water only when you see the top two inches of soil are dry.
6. Kalanchoe
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Look at the flowers! Yes, Kalanchoe is popular for its long-lasting blooms, but beyond this, it can surprise you with its fast-growing nature. This succulent does well in bright light and can put up with some direct sun and with a little watering, they can grow up to 12 inches annually.
Fact: Kalanchoe isn’t just a pretty face—it’s known for traditional healing uses and may even hold cancer-fighting properties.
7. Jelly Bean Plant
Botanical Name: Sedum rubrotinctum
True to its name, the Jelly Bean Plant grows quickly, spreading across garden beds or filling a pot with plump, colorful jelly bean leaves. You can expect it to grow up to 8 inches in height within a year. Just give it the sunlight, well-drained soil, and a bit of water, and you are good to go!
Did you know its bean-like leaves change color in the sun, turning from green to pinkish-red, like candy but without the calories!
8. Echeveria
Botanical Name: Echeveria pulvinata
The Echeveria is known for its perfect rosette shape, bright colors, and quick growth— you might see it add 2-4 inches in width in a year. It comes in a huge variety of colors, like blue, pink, green, and even purple. This ornamental plant needs plenty of sunlight to stay colorful, so give them around 4-5 hours daily.
9. Prickly Pear Cactus
Botanical Name: Opuntia
If you are interested in developing a desert-like landscape, Prickly Pear Cactus is the plant to consider. Prickly Pear Cactus is known for its distinctive pads and thrives best in plenty of sunlight. It usually prefers minimal water, which is why it is a perfect pick for arid gardens or indoor spaces that are very sunny.
Fact: The prickly pear cactus is a multitasker, used in Mexico as food, forage, and more. Dessert from the Desert!
10. Houseleek (Hens and Chicks)
Botanical Name: Sempervivum tectorum
Houseleek lives up to its name with its ability to propagate rapidly. It produces tiny “chicks” (offsets) around the main rosette that fill up spaces quickly – you’ll see clusters expanding within a year.
Just give them full sun and well-draining soil, and you’ll have a growing family of rosettes before you know it!
11. Christmas Cactus
Botanical Name: Schlumbergera bridgesii
The Christmas Cactus isn’t just a fast grower–it’s also a popular winter bloomer. It can grow 2-4 inches in width annually and produces colorful blooms around the holidays.
To keep your Christmas cactus happy and blooming, give it cool, bright days and avoid light at night. Once it starts blooming, you can bring it out as a festive centerpiece!
12. String of Pearls
Botanical Name: Senecio rowleyanus
If you are fond of indoor-hanging plants, this crystal-like succulent is the one for you. See for yourself the plant growing around one meter in length in a short span. Provide morning sunlight and indirect light in the afternoon. Plus, avoid heavy watering to prevent rot.
Additionally, remember to keep String of Pearls out of reach of pets and children as it is toxic!
Have you tried growing any of these fast growing succulents? Share your experiences and favorite varieties in the comments below!
