Succulents are so diverse that there is no clear-cut answer to this question. Some succulents only live for a few years, while there are others that can live for centuries, such as the barrel cactus. There are very many factors that affect a succulent’s age. Hybrid plants often have shorter lifespans.
Some succulents do not live for very long, but they do reproduce quickly to make sure that their species continues. Other succulents die after flowering. In this article, we will learn about some of the factors that can affect a succulent’s lifespan.
How do succulents grow?
Succulents grow much more slowly than other types of plants, and every type does not grow at the same rate. Most of them do go through a growth phase and a dormancy phase every year.
A succulent’s growing season is when its body does the work to mature. This is the time when they start to grow new leaves, produce offsets, and bloom with flowers. During this time, you should provide your succulents with fertilizer, sunlight, and more water than normal.
When a plant is dormant, it is a lot like when an animal is hibernating. This is a plant’s way of making it through the most extreme weather conditions. They will slow their growth so much that they might even stop growing completely in order to conserve their stored water and energy. During this phase they will not need as much sunlight or water.
Indoor plants may not ever go into dormancy because there are usually just insignificant changes in temperature compared to what they would face outside. There is nothing wrong with your plant in this case; it is just that the indoor conditions do not coincide with what the conditions would be in their natural habitat.
In the northern hemisphere, succulents will usually go dormant in the winter and grow during the spring and summer seasons. Those in the southern hemisphere will become dormant in the summer and grow during the winter.
Do succulents have a specific life span?
The growth rate of succulents will depend on what type of succulent it is. It is difficult to pinpoint what exactly the average lifespan of a succulent is because of the many varieties. This doesn’t even consider all the other factors that can affect a succulent’s age.
Out in their natural habitat, succulents can live for years and even centuries. The ones that do not live this long are efficient at reproducing offsets which ensures further generations.
The most important factor in making sure that your succulents are able to reach their maximum possible lifespan is to give them the right growth conditions, outdoors or indoors.
What is the average lifespan of the most common succulents?
Echeveria
This succulent is known for its evergreen leaves, which is why it is one of the most popular succulents used in terrariums and arrangements. It can come in different colors and adds beauty to any home.
The Echeveria can live for three years up to several decades. The better and more appropriate the living conditions you give them, the longer they will live. This is usually not a problem since these plants are perfect for beginners.
They like to have a lot of light, so you can leave them under direct sunlight for five hours a day. This plant is perfect for places with lots of sun.
Crown of thorns
The crown of thorns can live up to 25 years. Also known as the Euphorbia, this plant’s stem is covered in thorns, hence its name. It also grows flowers that come in a variety of colors. It loves the sunshine and does well when placed near a window. You only need to water these plants in the spring and late fall.
Christmas cactus
A native succulent of Brazil, this plant produces white, pink, and red flowers, which make it a great indoor plant. It can live up to 20 years as long as all of its basic needs are met. It may need fertilizer and a precise amount of water to grow well. It likes light but should not be planted directly underneath the sun.
Jade plant
This succulent is also called the money plant because it is said to bring good financial luck to whoever owns it. These plants can live to be between 70 and 100 years old. This can be the type of plant to get passed down from generation to generation. They can be placed under direct sunlight for several hours a day, but should also be watered adequately. They thrive in tropical climates and need to be taken indoors during the winter.
Hens and chicks
This plant is native to Europe and Africa. It is one of the smaller kinds of succulents and is named for its structure. There is a bigger mother plant and connected to its base are her chicks. This plant can survive for over three years. This is one of the easiest plants to grow because it can be grown anywhere.
Aloe vera
One of the most popular succulents in the world, the aloe vera has a multitude of benefits according to many cultures. It has thick long leaves which contain a gel that has many uses. The aloe vera plant reaches full maturity at around four years old and can live up to 12 years if given proper care. A 12-year old aloe vera can reach two to three feet tall.
Barrel cactus
This is probably the succulent with the longest lifespan. It can live anywhere from 50 to hundreds of years if placed in ideal living conditions.
Their stems look like barrels and their spines can come in different colors. These plants are from the driest of deserts and do well even under direct sunlight for long periods of time. They do not need to be watered very often since they are able to store plenty of water in their bodies.
Conclusion
Succulents do not have an average lifespan because there are so many different kinds. Some only live for a few years while others have been known to live for centuries.
Factors that affect a succulent’s lifespan include whether they die after flowering (monocarpic), whether they are a hybrid or not, and if the plant is grown in its ideal living conditions.
Image: istockphoto.com / JNemchinova