I know that Every gardener loves succulents but when they die we are left wondering if it is because of us or has it completed their lifespan in this article we will tell you How Long do Succulents Live and what is their average lifespan and how can increase their lifespan
Dormancy vs Lifespan
Many people get confused between dormant succulents and dead succulents as even a dormant succulent looks dead as it stops growing and its leaves look discolored and the whole plant looks wilted but your succulent may not be dead and may just be dormant. To figure out if your succulent is dead or just dormant be aware of its growing season as plants usually go dormant in winter or use the snap scratch test. In the scratch test you very lightly scratch beneath the top layer of your plant and see if it is green inside if it is green it means the plant is still alive.
How Long Do Succulents Live
Succulents have a wide range of lifespan ranging from 1 year to more than 100 years and even centuries depending upon the plant type and the condition it is raised in. A succulent like Senecio which primarily lives in cold conditions only survives for 1 year while barrel cactus on the other hand can survive for more than 100 years
Common Succulents & Their Average Lifespan
Here are some common succulents and their average lifespans
| Succulent Name | Average Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Wax Plant (Echeveria) | 3-30 Years |
| Senecio | 1 Year |
| Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) | 70-100 years |
| Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum) | 4 to 5 Years |
| Aloe Vera( Aloe barbadensis miller) | 5-25 Years |
| Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii ) | 100+ Years |
| Saguaro Cactus | 150 to 175 Years |
| Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) | 30+ Years |
| Kalanchoe (flaming Katy) | 6-7 Years |
| Living Stones (Lithops spp.) | 40-50 Years |
Offshoot Succulents & Their Average Lifespan
Succulents who grow through their offshoots live a much longer lifespan than normal succulents. Some examples are the Hens & Chicks plant ( Sempervivums), Century Plant ( Agave), and some varieties of Haworthia (Zebra cactus). In fact, the hens and chicks main plant dies quickly in 4 to 5 years but creates so many offsets that you would not even notice the death of the main plant. All you need to do with these succulents is to create lot of space for their offshoots (pups) to grow
Monocarpic Plant Succulents & Their Average Lifespan
While all succulents bloom monocarpic succulents flower just before they are about to die so that they are able to propagate the plant through the seeds and it should be taken as a sign of death for these succulents. Some examples of monocarpic succulents are the Hens & Chicks plant ( Sempervivums), Century Plant ( Agave), Kalanchoe (flaming Katy), and Aeonium hybrids. Even these monocarpic plants can live between 10 to 100 years and they can still live for some time after flowering. Agave Americana can live 10 to 30 years before it flowers and dies
Jade Plant
Usually, an indoor jade Plant has a lifespan of only 2 years depending on how well you take care of the plant and while outdoors in the wild it can live for 20 years . While the average lifespan is suggested to be 70 to 100 years that is when it is in its natural habitat and if you are growing it then the lifespan really depends on what kind of conditions do you give to your plant.
Hens & Chicks Plant
Hens and Chicks plant usually live for 3 years and sometimes go up to 5 years
Aloe Vera
This plant will easily grow between 5 to 25 years. Aloe is a polycarpic succulent so it will bloom multiple times during its lifetime
Barrel Cactus
Because of their structure, they are able to handle conditions with extreme heat as well as arid climates and thus can survive for centuries
How Long Do Succulents Live Indoors vs Outdoors
Usually, succulents have the same lifespan indoors and outdoors but Indoors the plant is better protected from the environment and thus can have a better lifespan than outdoors however certain changes in the care conditions of the plant can cause some succulents to have a lower lifespan. Indoors take care that succulents are receiving enough sunlight while outdoors take care to bring the plant indoors during cold and frost season
How to Increase the Lifespan of Succulents: Care Requirements
You increase the lifespan of your succulents by following these care requirements
Soil
A well-draining soil is the most important requirement for succulents though depending on the succulent variety some of the plants would require soil to be aerated also. For most succulents, a normal cactus potting mixture along with a combination of perlite, peat, and some gravel is what will work the best as it makes the soil well draining. Some of the succulents being desert plants will require sand also to be added to the soil. For even better drainage you can always ensure that there is gravel at the bottom of a pot before you add the rest of the potting mixture.
Water
You should water your succulent once every few weeks during the growing season in summer depending on the variety of succulents. regular watering is good for succulents but do try to ensure that you allow the plant to dry out between waterings in order to ensure that you avoid overwatering and root rot. Also, allow the excess water of your pot to drain out using drainage holes
Sunlight
While succulents usually like a lot of sunlight you should avoid direct sunlight as these plants store water in leaves and direct sun will cause the plant to lose its water-storing capabilities
Avoid Pests
Whether you are growing your succulents indoors or outdoors keep an eye out for all the common pests like aphids, gnats, snails mealybugs, etc by looking at the leaves regularly so you can spot and avoid a potential mess
Protect in winter
If you are growing your plant outdoors in winter you have to make sure to bring your plant indoors to protect them from winter and frost. Some of the cold hardy succulents can even survive winters outside up to -20 degrees Fahrenheit in USDA zones 5 and can be left outside.
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