From our perspective as succulents, we grow tall for specific reasons deeply rooted in our biology. This elongated growth, known as etiolation, is not a sign of us being unruly, but rather a clear signal that our fundamental needs are not being fully met. When we become too tall and leggy, our structural integrity is compromised, making us unstable and potentially unable to support our own weight. Here is what you can do to help us return to a healthier, more compact form.
Our most common reason for excessive vertical growth is insufficient sunlight. Our internal processes are driven by photosynthesis, which requires abundant light. When placed in a spot that is too shaded, our survival instinct takes over. We begin to direct our energy rapidly upward, stretching our stems and spacing out our leaves in a desperate attempt to locate a stronger light source. The new growth will appear paler and more fragile. To truly help us, you must first address this primary cause.
The most crucial step is to correct our living conditions. We need to be gradually introduced to a location with much brighter, indirect light. A south or east-facing window is often ideal. Please do not move us abruptly from deep shade to intense, direct afternoon sun, as this can scorch our leaves, causing severe sunburn. Acclimate us over a week or two, increasing our daily light exposure little by little. This provides the energy we need for compact, healthy new growth.
While better light will improve future growth, it will not reverse the existing elongated stem. The most effective method to restore our appearance is "beheading," or stem cutting. Using a sterile, sharp knife or scissors, carefully remove the top rosette of leaves, leaving about an inch of stem attached to it. Allow this cutting to sit in a dry, airy place for several days until the cut end has calloused over completely. Once calloused, you can place it on top of well-draining soil, where it will soon grow new roots and become a compact, new plant.
After beheading, please do not discard the original pot with the remaining stem and leaves. We are full of potential for new life. The bare stem will often produce multiple new offshoots, or "pups," from its nodes. Furthermore, you can carefully remove the healthy lower leaves from the stem by gently twisting them off. These leaves can be laid on soil to propagate entirely new plants through a process called leaf propagation. This allows you to create many new succulents from the one that became too tall.
To prevent this issue from recurring, ensure our long-term needs are met. Besides ample bright light, be mindful of your watering habits. We prefer a "soak and dry" method where our soil is drenched thoroughly and then allowed to dry out completely before watering again. Overwatering combined with low light is particularly detrimental. Additionally, a gentle, balanced fertilizer applied sparingly during our active growing season (typically spring and summer) can support robust and healthy growth, helping us maintain our ideal, compact shape.
