Gardening enthusiasts seeking to incorporate tall succulents into their indoor or outdoor spaces have a myriad of options based on available size and area. Renowned gardening expert Melissa Strauss curates a selection of lofty succulents that exhibit remarkable height when fully matured.
Succulents boast an array of intriguing textures and shapes, adding diversity to succulent or rock gardens. These versatile plants also thrive as houseplants, especially in sun-drenched spots, making them ideal for individuals prone to occasional watering oversights.
Typically undemanding, most succulents flourish with minimal care, requiring only suitable sunlight and well-draining soil. With slow growth rates, many varieties bloom with adequate sun exposure.
While some succulents naturally reach towering heights in their native environments, container cultivation allows for more manageable growth. These captivating 17 plants serve as captivating focal points, imparting captivating allure to any garden or indoor plant collection.
African Milk Tree
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botanical name Euphorbia trigona |
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sun requirements Part Sun |
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height up to 9’ tall |
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hardiness zones 9-11 |
The African Milk Tree is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a plant with height that doesn’t require extended waiting periods for growth.
Also known as the Good Luck Cactus, the African Milk tree, despite its name, is not a cactus but a succulent. Its smooth, triangular stems are adorned with thorns and small, pear-shaped leaves.
In warmer climates, this plant thrives outdoors but is intolerant of temperatures below 50°F. Caution is advised as it is toxic to both humans and animals, necessitating placement out of reach of curious pets and children.
Candelabra Spurge
The Royal Red cultivar stands out with its captivating transformation as the leaves take on a rich red hue during the autumn season. This succulent is a must-have for any garden enthusiast who appreciates nature’s vibrant palette.
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botanical name Euphorbia ammak ‘Variegata’ |
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sun requirements Full Sun |
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height 15’-20’ tall |
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hardiness zones 9-11 |
botanical name
Adenium obesum
sun requirements
Full Sun
height
3’-9’ tall
hardiness zones
11-12
Desert Rose is a hardy succulent known for blooming beautiful bright pink, red, or white flowers during the summer months. With adequate sunlight and minimal watering, this plant will flourish and bloom generously, unlike many other succulents that bloom sparingly.
During winter, Desert Rose sheds its leaves and flowers, requiring early morning sun exposure and protection from harsh afternoon sun rays to prevent leaf scorching. In spring and summer, the plant should be kept slightly moist, while watering frequency can be reduced to once per month in fall and winter.
Elephant Bush
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botanical name Portulacaria Afra |
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Sun Requirements
Part Shade to Full Sun  Native to Africa, Elephant Bush, a favorite of elephants, can grow up to 20 feet tall in the wild, but its container plant version stays a manageable 4 feet in height. This plant features woody stems and small leaves, similar to a jade plant. During its winter dormancy, Elephant Bush may develop tiny pink flowers at the tips of its branches when spring arrives. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, as excessive sun exposure can lead to leaf drop. Eve’s Needle
| hardiness zones9-11 |
In its native regions of Mexico and South America, this succulent plant’s leaves are sold as a vegetable. These long, thin leaves are fleshy, pointed, and grow on cylindrical stems that branch out like a tree, interspersed with sharp spines.
Although rarely blooming in captivity, when Eve’s Needle plants do bloom, the cup-shaped red flowers can be as large as 3” in diameter and appear at the ends of branches. These blooms are followed by edible fruit that, while appetizing, can be challenging to eat due to the numerous seeds inside.
Fox Tail Agave
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botanical name Agave attenuata |
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sun requirements Full Sun |
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height 4’-5’ tall |
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hardiness zones 9-11 |
This attractive Agave plant grows in a rosette of pale green leaves with a silvery tint. The long, fleshy leaves are pointed and gently arching as they unfurl.
Named for its prominent flower stalk resembling a tail, the Fox Tail Agave produces greenish-yellow flowers on this tall stalk. As the flowers drop, seed pods emerge, eventually transforming into small plantlets.
Although Agave plants are commonly linked to spirits like Mezcal and Tequila, this variety, in particular, is not typically used for consumption. The plant’s core can also be utilized to create a sweet syrup with a low glycemic index.
Jade Plant
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botanical name Crassula Ovata |
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sun requirements Bright Indirect Light |
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height up to 5’ tall |
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hardiness zones 10-11 |
Jade plants, known for their association with prosperity, can grow up to 5 feet tall, although it is uncommon for them to reach this height. Even so, under optimal conditions, they have been known to surpass expectations.
I recall my father’s jade plant, which has thrived for over 40 years, standing around 4 feet tall. Generally delicate to the touch, these plants have a tree-like appearance with woody stems and vibrant green oval-shaped leaves.
Given the appropriate conditions, jade plants can bloom indoors during the winter months. These plants thrive in warm, dry indoor environments, making them an ideal choice for houseplants.
Joshua Tree
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Botanical Name Pachypodium lamerei |
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Sun Requirements Full Sun |
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Height Up to 40’ tall |
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Hardiness Zones 6-10 |
Joshua trees, known scientifically as Yucca brevifolia, are remarkable succulents with a rich history. These unique trees were named after the biblical figure Joshua by 19th Century Mormons who took guidance from the tree’s growth patterns.
Characterized by thick, woody trunks branching out at about 3 feet, Joshua trees feature spiky clusters of leaves at their tips. In the wild, they can grow to towering heights of 30 to 70 feet, although their growth can be more controlled when cultivated in containers.
Predominantly found in the Mojave Desert, they hold significance to the extent of having a National Park dedicated to them, further popularized by the rock band U2 who named an album after them.
During winter, Joshua trees undergo dormancy only to bloom with exquisite clusters of white flowers in the following spring. Both humans and animals find utility in these trees as a source of food. Their sluggish growth rate is coupled with an impressive lifespan averaging around 150 years.
Madagascar Palm
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hardiness zones 9-11 |
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The Madagascar Palm, unlike its name suggests, is not actually a palm tree but a succulent. With a thick trunk that stores water, it can survive in dry conditions. This quirky plant with sharp spines should be placed away from high-traffic areas.
In optimal conditions, the Madagascar Palm can grow up to 20 feet when in the ground, but its height is limited to around 10 feet when potted. After a dormancy period in winter, this plant blooms with elegant white flowers during the summer from its leafy top resembling a palm.
Mother of Millions
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height up to 7’ tall |
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The Mother of Millions is a diverse succulent that features tall stems adorned with long green leaves marbled with purple hues. This plant thrives in full sun conditions and can reach heights of up to 7 feet, flourishing best in hardiness zones 10-11.
Known by several names, with Devil’s Backbone standing out as the most ominous, Mother of Millions displays a rugged appearance with toothy leaves that are deceptively not sharp or pointed. Sporting long stalks reaching up to 7 feet tall, this plant features elongated spoon-shaped leaves with green coloring and dark purple mottling.
An outstanding feature of this plant is the abundance of tiny plantlets that sprout along the serrated edges of its leaves. When planted in the ground, Mother of Millions can become invasive rapidly. However, it thrives as a houseplant and is highly forgiving in care.
During certain times of the year, this kalanchoe species produces tall inflorescences bearing large clusters of coral-colored, bell-shaped flowers that are particularly attractive to hummingbirds.
Ocotillo
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botanical name Fouquieria splendens |
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sun requirements Full Sun |
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height up to 20’ tall |
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hardiness zones 7-11 |
Ocotillo, characterized by its long, thin clusters of very tall stems that sprout tiny leaves when adequately watered, sheds its leaves during dry spells, only to regrow them when rain arrives.
The name Ocotillo, meaning ‘Little Torch’ in Spanish, derives from the appearance of the bright red flower clusters that bloom in late spring and summer, serving as a valuable food source for hummingbirds.
Planting a row of Ocotillos can create an intriguing living fence in regions where the temperature doesn’t drop below 10°F. These plants adapt well to various soil conditions and thrive at different altitudes. They grow relatively fast and can live up to 60 years.
Organ-Pipe Cactus
Embraced as a revered symbol in the Sonoran Desert, these majestic cacti epitomize resilience and drought-adaptation characteristic of succulents. Known for their slow growth rate, they blossom into intricate white flowers during the spring months. Interestingly, their blooming cycle, which commences after three and a half decades, lasts for over a century, showcasing their enduring vitality and lasting legacy as they attract pollination predominantly from long-nosed bats under the night sky.
Queen of the Night
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botanical name Epiphyllum oxypetalum |
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Obtaining a glimpse of the Queen of the Night cactus blooming is a rare and enchanting experience. This mysterious plant showcases its large, fragrant, white flowers for a single night each year, creating anticipation and celebration in its native Southern Mexico. Queen of the Night thrives as a houseplant, favoring bright but indirect sunlight due to its natural habitat under tree canopies. It’s important to allow the soil’s top layer to dry slightly between waterings, as this cactus prefers consistent moisture without becoming too dry. Saguaro
The stately Saguaro stores water like a succulent and is a strikingly tall addition to any succulent garden. In containers, they stay much smaller than their potential 40’ height in the wild. With a distinct Western vibe, the imposing Saguaro is a cool houseplant choice, thriving best in a very sunny location with ample natural light. Large Saguaros come at a premium due to their slow growth. Growing only an inch or two annually for the initial 8 years, a sizable saguaro indicates years of attentive care. In late spring, the Saguaro cactus sports a cluster of large white flowers at its crown. These night-blooming flowers last just about 24 hours each. Snake Plant
Sansevieria trifasciata, known as the Snake Plant, ranks high among the most versatile and widespread plants, fitting well into popular houseplant lists. Snake plants are easily found, cost-effective, and simple to nurture. They thrive in various lighting conditions, though they prefer brighter light for faster growth, and they are fine with occasional drying between watering sessions. While this succulent may bloom, indoor-grown plants rarely do so. On the rare occasion that they do flower, tall flower stalks emerge, and the flowers possess a strong fragrance. Spineless YuccaThe Snake Plant features a stalk adorned with many delicate white blooms reminiscent of honeysuckle, emitting a delightful fragrance. To promote blooming, ensure the plant receives ample sunlight and avoid overwatering. 
Spineless Yucca, a versatile succulent, thrives indoors and outdoors, requiring protection from freezing temperatures. Distinctive for its spineless leaves, the plant sports long, soft, pointed leaves, making it an ideal indoor addition. While indoor growth typically reaches 5’, outdoor plants can soar to 30’ high and produce white bell-shaped blooms on tall stalks in the summer. With proper sun exposure and minimal watering, this plant flourishes as an excellent houseplant. Sticks on Fire
This intriguing succulent shrub, bearing the name Sticks on Fire, captivates with its distinctive features. Boasting numerous pencil-thin branches in a vibrant coral hue, this plant transitions to yellow in hot months and back to red in cooler seasons. While it can attain significant height when planted in the ground, its growth remains more contained in indoor containers. Remarkably robust against pests and diseases, this resilient species produces small yellow flower clusters on slim stalks during spring and fall. Caution is advised due to the toxicity of all parts of this plant to both humans and animals, particularly important for those keeping it as a houseplant. Final ThoughtsSucculents, with their diverse shapes and sizes, offer a delightful addition to any succulent garden or indoor plant collection with their intriguing textures, colors, and low maintenance requirements. Collecting and nurturing these varied succulents, from common to rare species, can be a rewarding experience. Witnessing them bloom adds an extra layer of excitement to the caretaker’s journey!  James is an environmental gardener and passionate writer who holds a master's degree in agriculture. He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in environmental horticulture and has a particular interest in soil composition. Currently, James works as a researcher in plant research, where he continues to explore and advance knowledge in his field. His combined expertise in environmental gardening and soil science helps him contribute valuable insights to both academic and practical gardening communities. Latest posts by JAMES (see all) Related Posts:
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