12 Tall Succulents to Instantly Elevate Your Garden or Home into a Gorgeous Oasis
Tall succulents
There are so many different types to choose from when it comes to growing succulents. But if you're looking for something different, why not try one of the tall succulent plants?
These impressive plants can add a touch of drama to any space. In this blog post, we will take a look at twelve different types of tall succulents that you can grow in your home or garden.
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Types of Tall Succulents to Grow in Your Home or Garden
Succulents have become very popular and for many good reasons they are easy to care for, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and require very little water. They are unique looking and can add a pop of color to any space. Here are twelve types of tall succulents you can grow in your home or garden:
1 Century Plant (Agave Americana)
If you're looking for a tall and impressive succulent for your garden, the century plant is a great option!
Native to the southwestern United States, this succulent can reach up to 30 feet tall and has large, blue-green leaves that grow in a wide and round rosette formation.
Although it grows slowly at first, the century plant will eventually bloom with a beautiful yellow flower. Unfortunately, after blooming the plant dies.
But don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy it before it goes! It can take up to 30 years for the century plant to reach maturity and bloom.
The century plant has been recognized by the Royal Horticultural Society with the Award of Garden Merit. It grows best in full sun with well-draining soil and is tolerant of drought conditions.
If you're looking for an exciting and unique addition to your garden, the century plant is definitely worth considering!
2 Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The Snake plant is a tall growing succulent native to West Africa. It can grow up to 12 feet tall in its natural habitat but is usually much smaller when grown in a pot.
Snake plants are known for their tough nature and ability to thrive in even the most neglectful conditions.
The long, sharply pointed leaves on this plant have earned it the nickname mother-in-law's tongue. This succulent is popular because it's easy to care for and grows well indoors in bright, indirect light.
It also does well outdoors in warm climates with plenty of sunlight. The snake plant is drought-tolerant and can thrive even in poor soil conditions. It requires very little water and fertilizer, making it a great choice for busy gardeners or those with less than a green thumb.
Snake plants are also known for their ability to purify the air, making them excellent indoor plants for anyone with allergies and asthma who are looking for a natural way to improve indoor air quality.
If you are looking for a tall, easy-to-care-for plant that can make a big impact in your garden, the snake plant is a great choice.
RELATED: 28 Different Sansevieria Varieties
3 African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona)
If you're looking for a tall succulent plant to add some interest to your garden, the African Milk Tree is a great option!
Native to central and South Africa, this sun-loving succulent grows up to 8 feet tall.
The African Milk Tree is aptly named because of the white, milky sap it produces. However, this sap is toxic, so take caution when handling the plant to avoid skin irritation.
Although it's poisonous, the African Milk Tree is a popular garden plant because of its interesting appearance. It has spines like a cactus that grow tall and upright, but it is also rounded off with soft feathery leaves. It is often mistaken for a cactus, but it's not.
African milk trees generally don't bloom indoors, but you might see white or yellow flowers on them if they're outdoor plants. This plant thrives when it gets 5-6 hours of bright, indirect light.
So if you're looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that will add some excitement to your garden, the African Milk Tree is a great choice!
4 Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)
The desert rose (Adenium obesum) is a beautiful tall succulent that thrives in tropical climates. It loves the sun and sandy, well-draining soil.
Easy to care for, this slow-growing plant can reach up to 10 feet tall; however, it won't grow more than 12 inches per year.
One of its most beautiful features is its flowers! Most often, the plant blooms during summertime, with stunning pink or rose-colored flowers and lush green leaves. Once winter arrives and it becomes dormant, its blooms will drop off.
Many bonsai growers appreciate the desert rose for its sturdier trunk and more graceful leaves.
The desert rose is often thought to be from North Africa, but it can now prosper in any hot, dry climate. And not only that, but it makes for a great houseplant too! It requires very little water and is resistant to pests and diseases.
The desert rose makes a great addition to any garden and is sure to be a conversation starter.
5 Fishhook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)
The Fishhook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni) is a tall succulent plant that is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
The cactus gets its name from its large, hooked spines. The fishhook barrel cactus, nicknamed for its shape, is also called the Arizona barrel cactus, candy barrel cactus, and Southwestern barrel cactus.
The Fishhook Barrel Cactus is a slow-growing plant that can eventually reach heights of up to 10 feet.
The cactus produces small, yellow flowers that bloom in the summer months. Once the flowers fade, the cactus will produce small, round fruits that are edible.
The cacti can withstand cold weather and go without water for a month at a time. They have a lifespan of 50 to 100 years.
The Fishhook Barrel Cactus is a popular landscape plant in arid regions and can be used as an accent plant or made into a hedge.
6 Fox Tail Agave (Agave attenuata)
The Fox Tail Agave, also known as Lion's Tail Agave or Swan's Neck Agave is a tall succulent that is native to Mexico. The plant gets its name from the silver-pale green rosette of leaves resembling a fox's tail.
The Fox Tail Agave is a carefree plant that does well in dry, sunny conditions but can also survive in shady areas. However, it cannot tolerate extended periods of desert heat. This plant can go several weeks without water and still survive.
This tall growing succulent can reach up to five feet tall and eight feet wide at maturity. It produces beautiful green-yellow flowers that bloom in the summertime.
It is deer-resistant and virtually pest free, making it a great choice for gardeners who want a low-maintenance plant.
If you are looking for a unique, drought-tolerant plant for your garden, the Fox Tail Agave is an excellent choice!
7 Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens)
Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is a tall, succulent plant that is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
The plant is also sometimes called "coachwhip," " desert coral," or "candlewood."
It grows in arid regions with little rainfall and can reach heights of up to 20 feet.
These remarkable plants have a distinctive form that captivates even the most seasoned of gardeners.
After experiencing the refreshing rush of rainfall, their tall and sturdy stems come alive with vibrant crimson flowers clustering at their tips, as new leaves sprout from the base of its spine-like structure for an even more captivating visual experience!
The beautiful blooms attract hummingbirds and bees to the area while their tall, spiny stems create an effective barrier against animals or intruders.
On top of all that, these drought-tolerant plants have become popular landscape choices for those wanting low-maintenance beauty!
8 Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata)
Soaptree yucca (Yucca elata) also commonly referred to as the 'soapweed' or 'soap tree' is a type of tall succulent that sprouts upward from the desert floor, stretching an impressive 10-18 feet high.
A notable inhabitant of the arid regions of the American Southwest, soaptree yucca is easily recognizable by its unmistakable silvery-green foliage and grandiose white bell-shaped flowers that adorn tall springtime stalks.
Along with being a beautiful addition to any garden, soaptree yucca is also a great choice if you want to attract wildlife, as hummingbirds won’t be able to resist its sweet fragrance.
This very much sought-after succulent is not just natively interesting but useful too as within its woody trunk and roots reside saponins which when extracted make a remarkable replacement for everyday soaps and shampoos.
In addition, it has also been selected as the state flower of New Mexico in the US!
For anyone looking for types of tall succulents that can weather dry, desert conditions while still showcasing colorful beauty, look no further than soaptree yucca.
9 Organ-Pipe Cactus (Stenocereus thurberi)
Organ-pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi) are big succulent plants native to Mexico and the United States, generally found in desert areas.
It gets its name from its resemblance to a pipe organ due to its tall and narrow stems rising vertically from a single short trunk.
Reaching up to 26 feet high and 12 feet wide, this species can make quite an impression in gardens!
Though it takes a whopping 150 years for this tall succulent to reach maturity, it's worth the wait! Every growing season (April, May, and June), its flowers are a sight to behold - large, white, and funnel-shaped with a purple or pink tint.
These beautiful blooms are usually pollinated by bats, and eventually produce a delectable fruit about the size of a tennis ball, which is camouflaged beneath its spiny shell. But once opened, it reveals succulent red pulp that has been deemed to be even sweeter than watermelon!
10 Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata)
The jade plant (Crassula ovata), is a popular succulent native to the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape in South Africa, as well as Mozambique.
It's also known by various other names such as money tree, lucky plant, or money plant for its ability to bring luck and prosperity into one's life with its charming pink or white flowers.
It is an excellent tall succulent for gardeners who want to add a touch of greenery and vertical variety to a living space. Its thick and obovate leaves form in canopy-like clusters from tall stems giving it the appearance of a small evergreen tree.
The jade plant is often easy to care for, requiring water when the soil is dry to the touch.
It can easily be propagated through stem cuttings or leaf cuttings with relative ease. It likes about 4-5 hours of direct sunlight.
If placed in the right environment, you are sure to enjoy this wonderful addition to your garden for years to come!
11 Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
Add some spiky sass to your garden with the stunning Crown of Thorns!
This blooming tall succulent grows up to 3-6 feet tall outdoors and 2 feet inside as a houseplant.
Its thick, bright green foliage provides contrasting texture for its beautiful array of vibrant flower bract hues such as red, orange pink yellow, or white.
Be warned though – this plant has prickly thorns so keep furry friends & kiddos safe away from it; also it’s toxic if ingested so handle it carefully.
If you're looking for an ultra-colorful accent that adds height and interest - look no further than the magnificent Euphorbia milii!
12 Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)
Meet the Queen of the Night! This royally unique cactus has become a fan favorite due to its impressive, fragrant white flowers that only open up at night and last just one evening.
Unlike other members of its family who usually thrive in dry conditions, this epiphyte prefers rainforest settings where it can find moisture and grow on trees or pots alike.
For those lucky enough to witness pollination, they'll be rewarded with 5" long purple-red fruits - an exquisite sight fit for royalty!
FAQS About Tall Succulents
Are succulents supposed to grow tall?
There are certain varieties of succulents that are tall-growing. Some can reach up to 26 feet in height with the right conditions, while others keep a more modest 1-2 foot size.
What's the best way to take care of tall succulents?
Tall succulents need lots of light, good drainage, and occasional deep watering. They love soil that is well-aerated and not too soggy. To ensure your tall succulents have good air circulation, it's best to avoid overcrowding them in one pot or planter if they are an indoor plant.
What to do with succulents that grow too tall?
If your succulents grow too tall, you can trim them back to promote a bushier shape. Alternatively, you could divide up the plant into multiple parts and repot each one for different planters or locations.
Why is my succulent getting leggy?
Legginess is a common issue with tall succulents due to inadequate light. Move your succulent to an area that offers more sunlight, and allows the soil to dry out completely between waterings. This will help your succulent develop a stronger stem and fuller foliage.
Succulents That Grow Tall
If you're looking to introduce some out-of-the-box flair and vertical excitement into your garden or living space, tall succulents are the way to go! These majestic plants come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors - from the striking Queen of The Night cactus to good luck's favorite Jade plant. Let these amazing specimens be one more source of beauty in your home today.
