What’s the Perfect Pot Size for Succulents?

You’re probably wondering what the perfect size pots are for succulents, and that’s great!

That should be top of mind when it comes to succulents, because so much of their health depends on it.

There’s this dirty rumor going around that anything can be a home for succulents.

Toolbox, antique meat grinder, ceramic turtle, tea cups, etc etc etc.

And while that’s technically true, I wouldn’t and you shouldn’t ever consider what they are planted in now to be their forever home.

As a matter of fact, nothing should be considered a live plant’s forever home.

Why, you ask?

Because live plants grow - Succulents in particular will not grow fast, but very slowly, and only in their active growing phases.

And because of that, they will eventually outgrow the pot or whatever thing it is you planted them in.

Why is Choosing the Right Pot Size Important?

Because the health of succulents depends on your pot size.

On top of choosing a pot that has a drainage hole and allows the plants to breath (think: terra cotta pots), size 100% matters.

In a right sized pot, the succulent’s roots will grow. At some point the roots will touch the sides and bottom of the pot it’s in - which triggers the roots to stop focusing on root growth, and start focusing on aggressive plant growth.

Aren’t succulent’s absolutely fascinating?!

What’s the Ideal Pot Size for Succulents?

The ideal pot size for succulents should be about 10% wider than the plant itself. If you are looking at shallow or deep pots, always choose the shallow pot. The depth of the pot should be 10% bigger than the plant.

How about we use real life examples to clarify:

• You have a 2 inch succulent - Grab a 2.5 (best option) to 4 inch pot (absolute maximum size) for best results
• You have a 4 inch succulent - Grab a 4.5 (best option) to 6 inch pot (absolute max size) for best results

How Small Pots Affect your Succulents

Small pots are great for mini succulents like cuttings or plugs.

But let’s say you have a 1.5 inch pot and a 2 inch succulent with roots.

Depending on how well rooted the 2 inch plant is, it may leave little to no room for soil in the pot, which isn’t great - even if the succulent was only going to be in the pot for a week.

When roots take over the pot, we call that root-bound. If you were to pull out the plant from the pot, it would look like one of those straw baskets, but it would be all roots.

This prevents the plant from growing.

Over time the lack of soil nutrients will damage the plant - but nothing some soil can’t fix.

For more on if succulents like small pots, CLICK HERE.

How Large Pots - Deep Pots Affect your Succulents

Large pots can have an equal damaging result, plus the chance of rot due to a large pot’s ability to hold onto so much moisture.

Even if you have fast draining soil, if there are no plant roots to drink up what moisture is there.

And as mentioned earlier, the roots will continue to grow until it notices it has touched the ends of the pot - at which point it focuses on plant growth (in the active growing phase, of course)

Planting Multiple Succulents in a Pot - What Size?

If you are doing this the same 10% rule applies.

Make sure you have a pot that provides enough room for multiple plants to root, grow and thrive.

As they continue to grow, if you notice a section of plants is getting crowded, it might be best to remove and transplant these plants into a new container.

For the best results, I would recommend giving them a half inch to one inch spacing between each plant.

In the spring and summer months, these will actively grow and fill up those spots.

While you wait for them to grow in, you could use some decorative rock to give your arrangement more of a fullness, if that’s the aesthetic you’re shooting for.