Succulent growing long

last year

Hello pros!
I live in Florida and the plant is on the window looking NW. I have this succulent which was a rosette (1st pic) when I planted it in a pot. At some point two spikes, like orchid type. The rosette was still there but then the spikes continue to grow and I never cut them… the rosette leaves fall and all the grow was reduced to the spikes but leaves are now not as close as when as a rosette. I love the way it looks now but miss the rosette and all leaves tightly next to each other. Any suggestion to try and make the leaves closer and perhaps get leaves again on the main trunk?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

L Evve (Miami)
Original Author
last year
Also, the begging of the spikes is quite hard wood… very rubust and dry… not the delicate succulent type.
nancyjane_gardener
last year
I would just take cuttings and start over!
Related Professionals
White Oak Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Cliffside Park Landscape Contractors · Dudley Landscape Contractors · Dunwoody Landscape Contractors · Inglewood Landscape Contractors · Madera Landscape Contractors · Tustin Landscape Contractors · Casselberry Landscape Contractors · Norridge Landscape Contractors · Salem General Contractors · Cottage Grove General Contractors · North Tustin General Contractors · Gardner Carpenters · King of Prussia Carpenters · Westford Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures
L Evve (Miami)
Original Author
last year
Cut where ? The two branches?
goldstar135
last year
Not enough light—your succulent is etiolating, or stretching in an attempt to reach more light. I'd try to give it more sun (e.g. in a south or southwest window) or get a grow light, like this one linked. You will not be able to achieve more compact growth otherwise.
PRO
Plant Orbit
10 months ago
Your succulent is stretching (etiolating) due to low light—common on NW windows in Florida. To get tighter leaf growth and maybe a new rosette, move it to a brighter spot—ideally a south or west-facing window. You can also behead one of the spikes and replant the top to restart a rosette. This encourages compact growth if kept in bright light. For more tips, check out this succulent care guide.