🌱 Fast growth
🌿 Instant plant effect
🌱 In brief — fast growth
The fastest: Pothos, Philodendron Scandens, Tradescantia 'Brightness' — 20–30 cm/month in good conditions · Large fast plants: Strelitzia Nicolai, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, Monstera Deliciosa · Accelerator #1: light — the most decisive growth factor · Accelerator #2: regular fertilization from March to September
Some indoor plants grow so fast you can see the difference week by week — a real pleasure for those who like to see their home green up quickly. This guide presents the fastest-growing species and the conditions to make them grow even faster.
What determines growth speed
A plant’s growth depends on several factors — some under your control, others not. Understanding them helps maximize the growth of fast species.
- Light — the number one factor. The more bright indirect light a plant receives, the more it photosynthesizes and grows. A shade plant grows slowly, even if it is a fast-growing species.
- Temperature — tropical plants grow faster above 20 °C. Below 15 °C, growth slows down significantly or even stops.
- Fertilization — regular nitrogen (N) supply directly stimulates leaf growth. Without fertilizer, even fast species stagnate.
- Root space — a plant whose roots are cramped in a pot that is too small cannot grow. Repot fast species regularly.
- Ambient humidity — tropical plants transpire and photosynthesize better with ambient humidity of 50–60%.
💡 The season makes all the difference
Most indoor plants grow 3 to 5 times faster from March to September than in winter. In winter, even fast species enter semi-dormancy — this is normal. Focus fertilizing and repotting on the active growing season. See the monthly care calendar.
The fastest-growing plants
Climbing and trailing plants — the champions
Pothos is the fastest growing and most accessible indoor plant — in good conditions (bright indirect light, regular fertilization), its stems can grow 20 to 30 cm per month. On a moss stake, its leaves gradually get bigger as it climbs. The ideal plant to see visible results quickly.
See Pothos →
Philodendron Scandens Brasil is one of the fastest vines indoors — its green and lemon yellow variegated stems lengthen very quickly with good light. On a stake, it can reach 120 cm in less than a year. Its fast and visible growth makes it a very satisfying plant to watch evolve.
See Scandens Brasil →
Tradescantia is the fastest growing colorful indoor plant — its tricolor stems lengthen quickly and thicken within weeks. It is very easy to propagate, allowing rapid multiplication of several plants from one. Ideal for those who want visible results in a few weeks.
See Tradescantia →
Chlorophytum grows fast and quickly produces stolons with plantlets — in a few months, a single plant can produce 10 to 20. It is the fastest multiplying indoor plant. Each stolon can be propagated to create a new independent plant.
See Chlorophytum →Large fast-growing plants
Strelitzia Nicolai is the fastest growing large indoor plant — in good conditions (bright light, regular fertilization, large pot), it can grow 60 to 100 cm per year. Its large fan-shaped leaves unfold very spectacularly. It quickly becomes an impressive structural plant in a living room.
See Strelitzia →
Rhaphidophora is the fastest large-leaf climbing plant — on a stake, it can grow 30 to 50 cm per year with its characteristic cut leaves. It climbs quickly and its leaves get bigger as it grows taller. One of the most satisfying plants to watch on a stake.
See Rhaphidophora →
The Monstera Deliciosa grows quickly — a new leaf every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season. On a stake, its leaves gradually become larger and more cut. In a few years, it can reach 1.5 to 2 meters tall and create a very impressive tropical presence.
See Monstera →
The Ficus Elastica grows steadily and very visibly — a new leaf every 3 to 6 weeks during the growing season. Its large waxy leaves unfurling from a red sheath are very spectacular to watch. Once established (never move it), it can gain 30 to 60 cm per year.
See Ficus Elastica →Growth rate comparison
| Plant | Annual growth | Light needed | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | 200–300 cm/year | Partial shade to light | Very easy |
| Philodendron Scandens | 150–250 cm/year | Good light | Easy |
| Tradescantia | 100–200 cm/year | Good light | Very easy |
| Chlorophytum | 30–60 cm/year | Partial shade | Very easy |
| Strelitzia Nicolai | 60–100 cm/year | Bright light | Moderate |
| Rhaphidophora | 30–50 cm/year | Good light | Easy |
| Monstera Deliciosa | 30–50 cm/year | Partial shade to light | Easy |
| Ficus Elastica | 30–60 cm/year | Partial shade to light | Moderate |
Growth measured under optimal conditions (bright light, fertilization, growing season). In winter or low light, reduce by 50 to 70%.
How to speed up your plants' growth
Maximize light
This is the most effective lever — bring your plants closer to windows, choose east or southwest exposures. A plant that receives twice as much light usually grows 2 to 3 times faster. See the light and humidity guide to calibrate exposures.
Fertilize regularly
A balanced liquid fertilizer (NPK 20-20-20) every 2 weeks from March to September is the second key. Without nutrients, even fast-growing species stagnate. Never fertilize in winter — resting plants do not absorb nutrients.
Repot at the right time
A plant with cramped roots cannot grow — the roots circle the bottom of the pot and stress the plant. Repot every spring into a pot 3 to 5 cm larger. Complete guide: repotting guide.
Water properly
Improper watering — too dry or too wet — slows growth. Always use the finger test. Overwatering is the leading cause of slow growth in tropical plants.
- Place in the brightest indirect light available
- Fertilize every 2 weeks from March to September
- Repot every spring into a slightly larger pot
- Keep temperature above 18 °C year-round
- Water properly — neither too dry nor too wet
- Prune damaged stems to redirect energy to growth
Verdeia Collection
Fast-Growing Plants
Pothos, Philodendron, Strelitzia, Monstera — plants that transform your interior in a few months.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Pothos and Philodendron Scandens are the fastest among common plants — 20 to 30 cm per month in good conditions. Among large plants, Strelitzia Nicolai can gain 60 to 100 cm per year. See the fast-growing plants collection.
The 4 main levers: maximize light (factor #1), fertilize every 2 weeks from March to September with a balanced fertilizer, repot every spring into a larger pot, and keep the temperature above 18 °C. Also see the repotting guide.
Strelitzia Nicolai (60–100 cm/year), Ficus Elastica (30–60 cm/year), Monstera Deliciosa (30–50 cm/year), Rhaphidophora (30–50 cm/year on a stake). All need good light to maintain their growth rate.
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Plants that grow visibly fast
From Pothos growing 30 cm per month to Strelitzia growing 1 meter per year — plants for the impatient.
