Succulents store water in their fleshy leaves/stems, get their name from the Latin word for “sap,” and all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. They possess natural sunscreen (farina), can change colors with stress, and some produce oxygen at night, making them hardy, low-maintenance, and easy to propagate from leaves or cuttings.
Water & Survival
- Name Origin: “Succulent” comes from the Latin sucus, meaning “juice” or “sap,” referring to their water-storing ability.
- Natural Sunscreen: Many have a waxy coating (farina) to protect from intense sun, notes Blooming Secrets and Books Beans and Botany.
- Harsh Conditions: They thrive in dry, desert-like environments and can survive drought, but some tropical varieties exist.
Types & Features
Oxygen at Night: Certain succulents, like Aloe and Snake Plants, release oxygen at night (CAM photosynthesis).
Cacti are Succulents: Cacti are a type of succulent, but not all succulents are cacti (cacti have spines/thorns).
Ancient Plants: Some succulents emerged 5-10 million years ago, adapted to dry climates.
Color Changers: They can shift colors (reds, blues, purples) due to light and temperature changes.