By Karan Pillai
April 22, 2022
This popular indoor succulent takes around 4 years to mature into a fully-grown plant (8-10 inches). But the wait is worth it, as the gel from the leaves is medicinal and can be used to treat sunburn, rashes, acne and other topical skin conditions.
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This colourful outdoor plant takes around 5-10 years to mature and grows up to 30 feet high. But don’t let its beauty fool you, as every part of the plant is poisonous to some degree! Especially the seeds and pods, which can cause allergies and other dangerous health issues when consumed.
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Snake plants are an ideal choice to cultivate indoors. However, since it grows only about 4-12 inches per year, the snake-like markings on its long leaves take some time to become visible. Its other names are mother-in-law's tongue, viper's bowstring hemp and St George’s sword!
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This rare species can test even the most patient of us! The growth rate of this plant is so slow that it takes 80-150 years to produce its first set of flowers. Recognised by Guinness as the world’s slowest flowering plant, it belongs to the family of bromeliad, just like the pineapple.
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One of the most popular plant species is also among the slowest to grow. A cactus grows just over 1 cm a year, thus making it an ideal houseplant. Also, being native to deserts, it requires moderate sunlight and minimal watering, making it a low-maintenance pick!
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This species can thrive as a houseplant and outdoors too, reaching up to around 24 feet high. But it will take an awful lot of time to attain that height, as it grows just about 12 inches per year. What’s striking is that it may take three weeks-six months to just sprout!
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Easily distinguishable by the pattern on its leaves, the money plant grows just 2-3 inches a year. However, considering that they symbolise good luck and prosperity and can live for around 100 years while also purifying the air, no one can complain about its growth rate!
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One of the most distinctive tree species in the world, the baobabs are native to places like Madagascar, Australia and Africa. They are incredibly slow growers, taking as long as 20 years to produce their first fruit. Called the African Tree of Life, they are rich in Vitamin C and iron and provide shelter to native animals and birds.
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