16 Great Types of Succulents that Grow Tall

The African milk tree can be grown as an indoor plant or a beautiful outdoor plant. They can grow quite tall if grown outdoors but their size is somewhat contained indoors.

African milk trees are easiest to propagate from cuttings. Simply cut off one of the limbs and pot in appropriate soil. They will not thrive if the temperature gets too cold and it is important to make sure they don’t freeze.

Be aware that the African milk plant is one of the types of succulents that grow tall and is also toxic. It is not only toxic if eaten but the sap can also cause dermatitis if the skin is exposed to it. Make sure to wash your hands well after handling an African milk plant.

The hanging chain cholla is an incredibly tall succulent native to the Southwestern United States. This plant blooms between Spring and Fall depending on the location of the plant.

People mainly have the hanging chain cholla as an outdoor plant in their yard rather than as an indoor plant in their homes.

The chollas, the hanging seed and flower pod strings, make this plant known by another name, the Jumping Cholla. The chains can occasionally seem to jump if they are brushed. This is how they are dispersed across the desert.

The desert rose plant ranges from small enough for a countertop plant to large enough to be taller than a person. The smaller plants tend to look as ornamental as a bonsai tree.

These plants are some of the best types of succulents that grow tall and flower. Many people keep the desert rose specifically for the flowers that form in the summertime.

Like most succulents, the desert rose requires well-drained soil. And being from the Arabian peninsula, it prefers sandy soil. The desert rose is simple to care for and does well, though it can be difficult to source.

As a keystone species in the Sonora desert, the Saguaro is one of the most important types of succulents that grow tall. They are vital as food and living accommodations for several species in the area.

The flowers of a saguaro require the pollination of another saguaro cactus by a bird or insect. The saguaro grows mainly from seeds and does not do well with other forms of propagation.

Saguaros can take years to grow not only their height but also their arms. Not all saguaros will grow multiple arms but all of the arms will bloom with several flowers over the course of the summer.

The foxtail agave is a large, mounded succulent that comes from Mexico originally. In the summer, it grows a large flower stalk that is the source behind its common name.

Foxtail agave are decorative plants that do well in borders or as the focal point for more drought tolerant gardens. It should not be allowed to freeze in winter or it will die.

It is propagated by offsets only. Once it is established, the foxtail agave can tolerate some drought. However, it does not prefer hot, desert conditions. Keep out of direct sunlight for best results.

As the soaptree yucca grows, the top looks like a standard yucca plant with thick green spines and flower stalks covered in large white seed pods. The trunk will develop a grassy or hairless look.

Like many types of succulents that grow tall, this plant grows from seed rather than from cuttings or offshoots. It can take decades for them to grow tall since they only grow an inch or two a year.

As a native to the American Southwest, the soaptree yucca is a vital component of the ecosystem in the area. Several species of animals and insects rely on them for shelter and food.

Ocotillo look like the fanned out tail of a peacock. There is a central stem, or trunk, that numerous spiny branches grow from. Each branch will flower with red flowers in summer.

The Ocotolla plant, like most types of succulents that grow tall, hail from the American Southwest and Mexico. These plants are just as long lived as the saguaros in the area, surviving over 100 years.

This plant makes an excellent natural fence selection for people in the area because it grows such large and painful spines.

The organ pipe cactus has an incredible presence in the Sonoran desert. It shouldn’t be confused with the Saguaro. The organ pipe cactus has several arms that cluster around a central point.

Bats are the main pollinators of the organ pipe cactus and these cacti are propagated almost exclusively by seed. Seedlings require shadier areas in order to thrive.

Due to their incredibly large size, being one of the types of succulents that grow tall and also wide, these plants are rarely found as indoor plants or even backyard plants.

The snake plant is one of the most common indoor plants in most peoples’ homes. There are several varieties and they are simple to care for. However, if they are grown outside they are one of the types of succulents that grow tall enough to be taller than a person.

Blooms from a snake plant are incredibly rare. If you do manage to get yours to bloom, you should be honored. This is also one of the few types of succulents that grow tall and can tolerate shade if necessary.

There are several varieties of snake plant that do not grow to their maximum height of 12 feet. If you need something smaller, make sure to choose one of those varieties.

The fishhook barrel cactus is incredibly thick in the body compared to most types of succulents that grow tall. These cacti grow yellow or red flowers from the top of the plant.

While the fishhook barrel cactus doesn’t live as long as some of its Sonoran cousins, it can still live as long as a person. The taller specimens may lean slightly to follow the sun.

This is one of the few frost tolerant varieties of tall succulents and cacti. While it does have water inside, the water contains oxalic acid which will cause diarrhea if you drink it.

The hedge cactus is typically either spineless or has short brown spines on it. The cactus will grow edible fruit that people in the area have enjoyed for centuries.

The flowers on this plant can grow up to 12 inches long and range from white to a pale yellow in color. The cactus itself is frequently mistaken for other species so you’ll hear it by many names.

The hedge cactus can be propagated by seeds or offsets. Make sure that the cactus does not sit in water and when in doubt, make sure the soil is drier between watering than you think is necessary.

The jade plant is one of the most popular indoor plants. It requires full sun but not direct sunlight. Make sure to pick a window that meets these requirements or it will get leggy.

Of course, if you grow your jade plant outdoors, it is one of the types of succulents that grow tall enough to become a real feature in your garden. It is native to South Africa so its soil doesn’t need to be particularly sandy or rocky.

The jade plant can produce beautiful white blooms if cycled correctly. However, when grown indoors it will rarely bloom because it is difficult to fully mimic the seasons indoors.

The donkey tail succulent is not necessarily one of the types of succulents that grow tall in terms of height. However, in length, it is as tall as many of them. The “tail” grows up to 4 feet in length if properly cared for.

Just like many succulents, if you cycle the plant correctly and mimic the seasons, the donkey tail plant will bloom in the summer with beautiful and vibrant flowers.

The donkey’s tail will not tolerate cold temperatures for long. If the temperature drops below 40°F for more than a day or two, you will need to move it to a warmer location.

The string of pearls plant is a favorite one of the indoor types of succulent that grows tall. Again, similar to the donkey’s tail, it grows tall by dropping down and growing long rather than up.

This type of plant is so popular that it can sometimes be difficult to get your hands on one. If you do, plant it in any decent succulent soil and choose a good sunny window with filtered light.

Blooms on a string of pearls are relatively rare when they are grown indoors. If you live in a temperate climate though, you can grow them outdoors where they will not only be more likely to bloom but also grow longer.

The best way to grow the Madagascar palm is to cut off an offshoot at the base of the plant. It can take several years for the plant to sprout roots and become established.

This is not actually a palm tree, despite the name. The Madagascar palm will flower in the winter, unlike most types of succulent that grows tall that flower in the summer.

The Madagascar palm has a thick trunk covered in spines and lush green leaves on the top of the plant. When grown indoors, their size remains relatively normal but when they are grown outdoors they can get quite sizeable.

The Queen of the Night is a unique one of the types of succulents that grow tall. It doesn’t really have leaves, only modified stems. Because it doesn’t have real leaves, it can’t tolerate drought very well or very long but it doesn’t like to be overwatered.

The real value of this plant is the blooms. These stunning blooms occur only in summer and only at night. But if you do happen to see the white flowers, they are roughly 9 inches across when fully opened.

The Queen of the Night is native to jungle rather than desert. You will need a soil that is a mix of bark, perlite, and peat for this plant to do well.