Care Guides
Are my succulents stretching?
One of the most common challenges when growing plants indoors is a lack of sunlight. Many indoor spaces are too dark for certain succulent varieties and can cause them to fade in color and lengthen their stems. But that's not the only reason for rapid vertical growth! Healthy, tall-growing succulents are sometimes mistaken for light-starved, stretched plants. Read on to learn how to tell the difference.
Light Deprivation
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| Sedeveria 'Letizia' (top) and Sedum pachyphyllum showing distinctive stretching and fading. |
Light-starved or "etiolated" plants looks pale and spindly with large gaps between leaves on their stems. Succulents will grow tall and lose pigmentation in an effort to absorb more sunlight. A gradual transition over 1-2 weeks to a brighter location will help them grow more leaves and recover their color, but some changes to the shape of the plants can be irreversible. At the first signs of etiolation, move the succulent closer to a south-facing window or outdoors, if weather permits. For plants that can grow happily even in low-light, indoor environments, look to Mountain Crest Gardens' Indoor Succulent Collections.
Tall, Healthy Growth
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| Crassula corymbulosa 'Shark's Tooth' (top) and Pachyphytum hookeri (bottom) growing tall and full. |
Etiolation isn't the only reason a succulent might look tall. Some mature plants naturally have taller stems and at the peak of the summer growing season, it's easy to mistake healthy, vigorous growth for signs of stretching. Here are some ways to assess if your succulent is stretching or simply growing tall:
- Consider the spaces between leaves; a tall succulent should still have full-looking foliage.
- Watch for fading stem color; healthy plants will retain more vibrant colors.
- Refer to the plant's description on Mountain Crest Gardens to confirm that the plant is within its "Maximum Height" range.
- Ensure that the container is in a location that matches the "Ideal Light Conditions" listed on the variety's description.
If all of theses criteria are met, congratulations! Your succulent is receiving enough sunlight to grow tall and healthy.
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| Healthy Graptosedum 'Alpenglow' (left) and Pachyphytum hookeri putting on tall summer growth. |
These large varieties make excellent focal points at the center of plantings and add layers and height to succulent arrangements. Here are some of the varieties that can grow into tall, full plants:
- Graptosedum 'California Sunset'
- Graptosedum 'Alpenglow'
- Graptopetalum paraguayense 'Ghost Plant'
- Grapotoveria 'Fred Ives'
- Echeveria pulvinata 'Ruby Blush'
- Sedum adolphii 'Golden Glow'
- Sedum dendroideum
- Crassula corymbulosa 'Shark's Tooth'
