Succulents are easy to care for and add an interesting focal point to any space.
While small succulents are popular for their versatility, large succulents are popular for their statement-making impact.
This article explores 16 species of large succulents, including Adenium Arabicum, Agave Attenuata Variegated, Echinocactus Grusonii, and more.
Why Choose Large Succulents?
Succulents are low-maintenance. Large succulents have some additional benefits.
First, they can make a big impact in a garden with their commanding size. Second, they may require even less care than smaller succulents as they have larger reserves of water stored in their leaves.
7 Large Succulent for Big Garden Spaces
Here are just a few examples of large succulents that might be perfect for your home or garden:
Adenium
Known as Desert Rose, Adenium Arabicum is a large succulent that produces showy pink or red flowers. It can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide in frost-free zones and is perfect for adding height to a landscape.
Another species is Adenium Obesum, or the Fat Plant could be a good choice. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide in the right conditions and produces pink or white flowers.
Aeonium
Aeonium arboreum is a tree-like succulent that can grow up to 3 feet tall and has rosettes of green leaves. It produces yellow or white flowers and prefers temperatures between 60-70°F.
Some other species of this genus that you might consider include:
Aloidendron
Aloidendron dichotomum, or the Quiver Tree, is a large succulent tree that can grow up to 30 feet tall. It has white and grey bark and produces clusters of yellow or orange flowers.
Echinocactus
Like other large succulent species, Echinocactus Grusonii can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide. It has bright yellow spines and produces yellow flowers in the summer.
Cactus
This iconic cactus is often associated with the American Southwest. While it can take decades to reach its full height of up to 50 feet, even younger specimens can make a statement with their distinctive shape.
Yucca Rostrata
Also known as the “Beaked Yucca,” this plant has a tall trunk and long blue-green leaves that form a dramatic fountain shape.
It can grow up to 20 feet tall, making it a great choice for those who want a large succulent but don’t have the space for a truly giant specimen.
Agave
This succulent can grow up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Its blue-green leaves form a rosette shape and have sharp edges, making it a visually striking addition to any garden.
In the list of large succulents, it is impossible not to mention:
- Agave Attenuata Variegated
- Agave Americana Marginata
- Agave attenuata Boutin Blue
- Agave Colorata
- Furcraea Macdougallii
- Pachypodium Lamerei
- Euphorbia Ammak
Caring for Large Succulents
Compared to mini succulents, large species require lower maintenance. They still require some care to ensure they thrive. Here are a few tips to keep your plants healthy:
Caring for large succulents requires attention to their environmental needs. It’s important to remember that succulents store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, and overwatering can quickly lead to root rot.
To make it easy, I usually water not-the-root area but the circle around its root. You won’t find it anywhere but that is my tip when having large plants outdoors.
Another practice I normally follow is that when they are young, I water them twice a week, and reduce to once a week when they are grown. In addition, in winter, watering is not required.
When you water, ensure you’re watering deeply so the roots receive sufficient moisture.
Ensure the potting soil drains well and the container has drainage holes. Use a soil mixture that is specifically formatted for cacti and succulents, or mix your own by combining equal potting soil, sand, and perlite.
Large succulents require ample sunlight so it’s best to grow them outdoors.
Also, remember to fertilize your succulent with a balanced fertilizer every few months during its growing period.
By following these tips, you can maintain a healthy, large succulent.
In Conclusion
Some large succulents require less maintenance but a high pruning effort. If you don’t have experience in pruning, go with the Adenium genus. On the other hand, if you enjoy the time pruning your plants, go with some others.
Good luck!
Linh