Are Small Pots Bad for Succulents? (And When to Repot)

"Do Succulents Like Small Pots?"

Yes, succulents can survive happily in small pots, provided there's a drainage hole (or several). Because their root systems are naturally compact, they handle small containers better than most houseplants - for a time.

However, if you want your plant to grow larger, a small pot quickly becomes a problem, and can even be harmful.

Trying to figure out the right pot size for your succulent can be tricky, but follow my guide and you'll be an expert in no time.

Initially, I felt this was a strange topic to be writing about. But after being asked about it several times and understanding why people were curious about whether small pots were good or bad for growing succulents, I thought it was time to address the issue.

So whether you've just bought your indoor succulent to your home in a tiny tiny pot or you're wondering if it's a good idea to grow them like this, I've got you covered.

Should Succulents be in Small Pots?
Can Succulents Stay in Small Pots?
Do Succulents Grow Bigger in Bigger Pots?
What are the Best Pots for Succulents?

Hi, I'm Tom!

If you're like me and enjoy the challenge of growing houseplants and getting them to thrive, then OurHouseplants can help. This website shares my knowledge and years of growing plants and provides my advice on properly caring for your indoor plant friends.

Should Succulents be in Small Pots?

Should you grow succulents in small pots? The answer depends entirely on your goal for the plant.

In principle, there is nothing wrong with having a dainty looking succulent in a smaller container if that's the look you're going for. Bigger isn't always better, and miniature decorative planters are popular and will easily add a little pop of "cuteness" to any room.

A young Gollum Jade Plant in a tiny hanging planter

This Gollum Jade is proof that you don't always need large pots to make a big impact.

Succulents are reasonably easy to propagate, establish quickly and look great even when very small. Small succulents are also some of the cheapest houseplants you can buy - which is great news for your wallet. This is because growers don't need to care for them for years before sale, and their small size makes transport easier and cheaper.

This is all positive news for the buyer's wallet and also there are some strong environmental benefits if you're trying to watch your carbon footprint. Because smaller plants have a lower carbon footprint from shipping compared to large, heavy plants. There are still some negatives to growing them in smaller pots once you've got them home, which I'll cover next.

Can Succulents Stay in Small Pots?

So you've got your succulent in its small pot and you're wondering if it can stay in it for the foreseeable?

Succulents and cacti are remarkably adaptable and tolerant of adverse conditions. In most cases, some root restriction for a few months (or even years) will cause no immediate harm.

Young Haworthia plant in a tiny brown plastic pot

If this plant could speak, it would be asking for a new home. The roots are fully restricted, which has completely halted the plant's growth.

The Hawthoria in the photo above and the Jade Plant on its side below are perfectly healthy plants. They've been in these tiny planters for a couple of years and are still as hearty and fresh looking as when I first got them.

Except there is one big problem. Or should that be "little problem".

They've been frozen in time. Despite all the care and effort I give them, they've shown virtually no new leaves or growth.

Research has shown as rooting space decreases, less leaf area grows. This means once a plant's roots have completely filled a pot and no more can be grown due to lack of space, it won't be long before growth above the soil slows down before stopping entirely.

Nothing positive will happen if I keep the plants like this long term. They'll age prematurely in a process known as senescence (natural decline). The good news is that studies show that if we were to move them into a bigger pot, they will restore themselves and grow again.

Succulent in a planter turned on it's side to show the roots coming out of the bottom

The roots are coming out of the bottom of the pot. It ideally needs a deeper pot but can stay like this for a long time without significant problems.

So although it's not great to keep them in a smaller pot forever, a year or two should be fine, providing you meet all the usual care requirements.

Here are my recommendations. Keep your plant in a small pot if:

It's still growing.
If there is still root space and your plant seems happy, keep it in the smaller container.
You like it in the small pot.
The growth has stopped, but you're still a big fan of the "mini" look or the planter it's currently in.
It has not been like this for an extended period.
As a general rule, I won't keep a non-growing houseplant (from being root bound) in the same pot for longer than two or three years.

Perhaps it's time to repot the plant into a bigger pot if:

You want it to grow larger.
You want to grow it into something a little bigger.
The plant has become top-heavy and unstable.
If the pot itself is becoming a problem, and the plant keeps falling over, it could be time to make it more stable by moving it into a bigger home.
It's on a decline and starting to become unhealthy.
If the care you're providing is good, but there is still an obvious decline, it could drastically help your plant to repot it with fresh potting soil and a slightly bigger container. When the pot is completely root-bound, there's so little soil left that it cannot hold enough water or nutrients for the plant, leading to general stress and decline.

Do Succulents Grow Bigger in Bigger Pots?

There have been a large number of studies looking at plants and how they respond to different pot sizes.

A roundup study in 2012 looked at 65 previous independent studies and concluded that "On average, a doubling of the pot size increased biomass production by 43%". In simple terms, bigger planters usually mean bigger plants.

A Senecio Stapeliiformis Pickle Plant growing in a suitable sized container for growth

This Kleinia stapeliiformis (Pickle Plant) was in a small decorative pot and had stopped growing. Now it's in a larger container and is hurtling upwards. You can see how it looks today in my care article for this plant where I show it off in the article photos.

Just remember that a bigger planter won't automatically always mean bigger plants. The space the roots have to grow into is just one part of the puzzle. The other basic care requirements still need to be met.

Light.
Most succulents and cacti like direct sunlight for at least a few hours daily. If you can't give this, then medium light levels for most of the day should work. Just expect slower levels of growth. Avoid low light unless you can supplement with a good grow light setup.
Temperature.
Again succulents are, for the most part, heat loving houseplants. During the growing periods, they like warm or hot temperatures.
Watering.
The majority of people know cacti and succulents as drought-tolerant plants. This is true, but they still need water to grow and thrive.
Feeding.
The final part of the puzzle is to provide feed. While they don't need as much as other indoor plants, especially smaller succulents, they will still benefit from a relatively frequent feeding program.

Every succulent has its own needs, so if you need more specific advice or help working out why your plants are not growing, find it in my Plant Hub and read up on what it wants.

What are the Best Pots for Succulents?

There are many containers and planters that are perfectly suitable for succulents, but there are a few loose rules I recommend plant parents follow for the best results.

Many succulent and cacti plants growing in decorative planters

Choosing the right succulent pot can be tricky when looking to expand your succulent garden. But it's not overly complex stuff. Simple plastic containers can be just as good as these fancy looking concrete pots.

These are the main types of pots that work best for indoor succulents.

Plastic Pots.
Potentially the most common type of container. I'd say 90%+ of my succulents grow in plastic. They're usually suitable for any type of houseplant. They're lightweight, cheap and come in different sizes and colors. Very easy to double pot into a more decorative container.
Terracotta Pots.
These are made of clay and, as such, are a little porous. This means it's a breathable material and can slightly help to avoid overwatering by wicking away water from the growing medium.

They're ideal for cacti and succulent plant pots as they allow the potting medium to dry out faster and stop the build up of too much moisture. If you're after a desert type of aesthetic, then a terracotta pot also goes hand in hand with the look of a cactus.
Ceramic Pots.
The main draw of glazed or ceramic planters is their heavy weight. Giving support and helping to prevent plants from being knocked over. Often you double pot into ceramic pots, but you can also plant directly into them. You may need a drainage tray underneath to protect surfaces from water damage.
Shallow Pots.
As we've covered already, succulents tend to have more basic root systems and don't need particularly large containers or deep pots to do well. A shallow pot is all they need unless you have a very tall plant that wobbles.
Hanging Containers.
If you've got a sunny window and have the vertical height to fill, a hanging pot (or three!) can be ideal. Some succulents have a trailing habit, too, so they look superb dangling down.

Looking for the above characteristics in a succulent planter will make a great choice. But there are some things you should try and avoid.

Metal Pots.
Metal, in general, is highly conductive to heat and the cold. So with a metal pot on a sunny window, the temperature can roast your plant's root ball within an hour. When it gets cold, heat is pulled away from the roots too quickly. Avoid containers made of metal.
Sealed Containers like Terrariums.
This is a tricky one. You can definitely have a succulent Terrarium, but you have to be incredibly careful with them.

When full sun falls on a glass container it can become a mini greenhouse and heat the inside of a terrarium to high temperatures. Addtionally, because there is no proper drainage, overwatering and humidity can also become big problems that quickly lead to crown and root rot. I don't recommend them for new owners. Although some dismiss them outright and say they should never be used, they can work in the right setting.
Any type of Pot without drainage holes.
Good drainage is essential. If you don't have any, then the risk of overwatering is insanely high, just like a succulent terrarium. Excess water will end your plant. Slightly too much watering on just one occasion and you'll have an overwatered succulent that needs saving.

That's the basics covered. If you want to have a look at some succulent pots or get some inspiration AMAZON has loads for sale* (This is an affiliate link. If you buy something, we may receive a commission from Amazon which helps support us).

So, in summary. Small pots are perfectly fine for short-term display or maintaining a miniature size. But if you want to see growth, you must repot them every year or two to give those roots the space to stretch out.

About the Author

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Tom Knight

Over the last 20 years, Tom has successfully owned hundreds of houseplants and is always happy to share knowledge and lend his horticulture skills to those in need. He is the leading content writer for the OurHouseplants Team.