Are you looking for a big succulent plants for indoors? Succulent plants come in all shapes and sizes. From the tiny lithops living stones to huge desert cacti, there is an enormous range.
Do you have an area in your home that is crying out for a beautiful plant to add life and color, while filling up unused space that might otherwise need another piece of furniture? Let’s face it, furniture and home decor can be expensive. A sensational large plant not only looks wonderful, but it is often a lot more cost-effective than other decor options.
If you’re looking for a big plant to make a statement in your home, we’ve got the lowdown for you on some beautiful succulent plants that will fill a space and shout out loud!
As we are focussing on indoor areas that most likely have high-traffic and may be constantly brushed against by children, pets and visitors, we have not included any big spiky plants or plants that can cause skin irritation from sap.
There are many spiky cacti and several kalanchoes, in particular, that will grow very big. But they have spikes. To see more, head on over to our article on Best Tall Succulents.
In this guide, we are going to show you 8 of our favorite succulents that can grow big in an indoor space. There are, however, often other varieties within each succulent type that are also great options as big succulents for your home.
Of course, no plant will grow big and healthy without the right care and conditions, so we’ve included some care tips to help you keep your plant healthy and happy.
Let’s read on for our 8 favorite big succulent plants for indoors that are not spiky!
Schlumbergera Bridgesii – Christmas Cactus
If you’re looking for a big, bold, succulent, Christmas cactus is a great option.
The Christmas Cactus, Schlumbergera bridgesii, is known for its hanging shape and beautiful, colorful flowers that tend to bloom in winter. In the northern hemisphere, that’s usually around Christmas time, where its common name comes from. In the southern hemisphere, they tend to bloom from May to July.
This tropical plant is native to Brazil and can grow to around 24 inches (60 cm) wide and 10 inches (25 cm) high. It has fleshy, green segmented stems. The vibrant flowers bloom from the end of the stems.
There are other, similar varieties of Holiday Cactus that bloom with orange or red flowers. They are usually named after the time they bloom, such as the Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera Truncata) and the Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri).
They need bright, indirect light if they are to thrive and produce their showy blooms.
Crassula Ovata – Jade Plant
Crassula Ovata is often nicknamed the Jade Plant because of its smooth, green leaves with red edges. It’s also sometimes called the Money Tree or Friendship Plant. It is seen as a good luck symbol in some cultures and thought to attract prosperity.
It resembles a mini-tree with a woody stem and many branches. They can grow up to 8 feet (2.4m) tall in the right conditions. However, it is a slow-growing plant and is less likely to grow that large when grown indoors in a pot.
Jade Plants are very easy to look after, making them popular home decor plants. They will cope with a wide range of light levels. Under the right conditions, these beautiful succulents produce small star-shaped pink or white flowers.
Originating from Mozambique and South Africa, this plant should be kept away from cats and dogs who might be tempted to nibble on its leaves. Substances in Crassula Ovata can cause poisoning in pets, resulting in lethargy and vomiting.
Portulacaria Afra – Elephant Bush
Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra is a low-maintenance, hardy plant that can grow up to 20ft (6m) tall outdoors and resemble a tree with its woody stem and green leaves. However, it is a slow-growing plant and won’t reach those heady heights when potted indoors. Large Elephant’s Bush plants are sometime mistaken for Jade Plants.
Originating from South Africa, it has small, round green leaves, which are its main feature. This plant rarely flowers in indoor settings.
While it prefers bright, indirect sunlight, Portulacaria afra can also tolerate lower light levels, making it ideal if you are looking for a plant that can survive away from a window spot.
Aloe Vera – Aloe Barbadensis Miller
The aloe genus comprises plant sizes ranging from large tree-like species that can grow a staggering 30 feet high to small dwarf varieties.
Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis miller, is the most commonly known variety.
It has long, thick, fleshy leaves with a green to blue-green hue and white flecks on the surface. It can grow to around 2 feet (60 cm) tall and approximately 1 foot (30 cm) wide.
It’s flowers grow in clusters on long stalks. They are yellow or orange and bloom in the summer.
Aloe vera are low-maintenance plants, great for beginners, and can tolerate a range of light conditions from bright, indirect sun to lower light, although they prefer brighter light levels.
Even though aloe vera is well-known for its medicinal properties for humans, it can cause digestive symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting in pets if they consume the leaves.
Beaucarnea Recurvata – Ponytail Palm Tree
Beaucarnea recurvate, the ponytail palm is also known as the elephant’s foot. It has a bulbous trunk, which is great for storing water, and long, thin hair-like leaves that tend to flop downward – much like in a ponytail.
Originating from Central America, a ponytail palm can grow up to 30 feet (9m) tall outdoors in its native environment. However, it is very slow growing more likely to reach no more than a more manageable 3 feet (90 cm) when grown indoors in a pot.
It prefers bright light but can tolerate medium to low light for up to 6 months. It is a low-maintenance succulent.
Sedum Morganianum – Donkey’s Tail
Sedum morganianum, known as Donkey’s Tail (and Lamb’s Tail) because of the shape of its leaves, is another great option for a space-filling succulent.
Its thick, fleshy leaves store water, allowing it to survive long periods of drought in its native Mexico. It is easy to care for and requires little water or maintenance.
It prefers bright, indirect sunlight but can tolerate full sun too. When the plant blooms, it produces small, silvery flowers.
While Sedum morganianum doesn’t grow very tall above its pot, it can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) wide and trail beautifully with stems that can be up to 4 feet (1.2 m) long. In a hanging basket, it can brighten up any space. Alternatively, it can look awesome trailing from a high shelf or cupboard top.
This is just one example of many beautiful trailing hanging succulents that thrive indoors. For more, see our guide to 14 Amazing Cacti And Succulents That Trail Or Hang (With Pictures).
Pilea Peperomioides – Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomioides, known commonly as Chinese money plant, is native to the Yunnan province of China.
It is a popular houseplant in many parts of the world because of its easy care requirements and unique appearance.
Also known as the UFO plant, pancake plant or missionary plant, it has distinctive coin-shaped flat, glossy, green leaves that grow on long, thin, delicate stems.
The Chinese money plant is another plant in our list that does not often flower when kept as a houseplant.
The Chinese money plant typically grows to about 12 inches (30 cm) tall and approximately 12 inches (30 cm) wide.
It prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sun or even lower light conditions.
There is another peperomia variety with leaves that resemble watermelon rinds. The Watermelon Peperomia, Peperomia argyreia, grows to a similar size of approximately 12 inches (30 cm) tall. It is an increasingly popular indoor succulent because of its striking foliage.
Snake Plant – Sansevieria Trifasciata Laurentii
Sansevieria Trifasciata Laurentii, known as Snake plant, or Mother in Law’s Tongue, is a very hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of conditions and neglect. It is known as one of the easiest houseplants to keep and notoriously hard to kill.
They can grow up to 4 feet (1.2m) tall with a slim shape. It has long, stiff, flat, sword-shaped leaves, mainly green but variegated with yellow and white stripes.
Snake plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight but can also tolerate low-light conditions. It is drought-tolerant and does not require much watering.
There are a number of plants in the Sanseveria family, all going by the common name of Snake Plant, that will grow tall and are perfect for enhancing your home.
These plants do not flower easily as houseplants.
Sanseveria trifasciata is also known for its ability to purify the air and remove toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the atmosphere. The NASA Clean Air Study included the Snake Plant in its study. It was found to be effective a removing several toxins from the air. So not only will the Snake plant make your home look more inviting, but it will also help to improve the quality of the air you breathe.
Indoor Succulent Care Tips
While succulents are known for being low-maintenance and surviving some neglect from their plant-parents, they do need to be placed in a good spot in your home and will need some attention every now and again if they are to thrive and grow.
Light
Most succulents prefer 4- 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. Although, as we’ve mentioned in our descriptions above, some can tolerate lower levels of light and there are other succulents that can survive with full sun. An ideal spot for any indoor succulent is in a bright window, but many will cope with lower light conditions, such as often happens in an office or bathroom.
Make sure you rotate your plants every few weeks so they receive light evenly. Plants will tend to grow towards the light source, and if not rotated, they may grow with a bend.
Watering
Succulents are drought-tolerant and don’t need watering as often as many other plants. However, you should still make sure you’re giving your succulent enough water if you want it to thrive.
You should only water your succulents when the soil feels dry. Waterlogged soil is unhealthy for succulents and can lead to root rot. Use your finger to test if the top couple of inches of soil are completely dry before watering.
See our complete guide to watering indoor succulents.
Soil
Succulents require well-draining soil and, as stated above, should only be watered when the soil is completely dry. Use succulent-specific soil as this will have the correct level of aeration and nutrients; regular potting mixes can be too dense and too nutrient-heavy for succulents which have evolved to grow in arid, nutrient-poor soils.
Pots and Containers
If at all possible, use a container with drainage holes so you can water your plant from the bottom or at least allow any excess water to drain away. Succulent roots do not like to sit in water and can be susceptible to root rot if left in damp soil for too long.
Final Word
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, high-impact houseplant that will add some serious style to your space, big succulent plants are an excellent solution.
With their dramatic textures and colors, these plants are sure to enhance your home decor.
The plants we’ve highlighted above are 8 of our favorites but they, of course, not the only options. There are many other varieties, particularly within the species mentioned above. You are sure to find one you love that is perfect for your indoor space.
