What is a succulent plant?

Succulents consist of many plant families. They are easy to recognize with thick and fleshy leaves, thick trunks, powerful roots, and branches with the sole purpose to retain water. Many succulent plants have amazing flowers with a pleasant scent, while others smell awful. Both with the purpose to attract pollinators. 

Their natural habitat is often in arid landscapes with extremely high temperatures at times. They endure prolonged periods of drought followed by seasonal rainfall. Consequently, the plants in these rather inhospitable environments have evolved into survival specialists. They flourish in the most extreme weather conditions on the planet. Where most species couldn’t possibly survive, others want to live.

Succulents are found in the wild on every continent. Although, the most sought-after succulents typically originate from North America, South America, and Africa. 

aloe with flower bud
cactus with flower bud
Portulac
some lithops
Euphorbia flower

Growing plants is a timeless art

Growing plants is a timeless art, and there is rarely anything “new” from one year to the next. Plants never ignite a sudden public hysteria. The cover of the New York Times or The Guardian doesn’t typically publish head-turning headlines about cross-pollination or seed germination. But rather, football scores or drunk celebrities steal the headlines. Or any other short-term gratification news with the sole intent of dopamine release.

Plants are different, they often require great patience and a long-term outlook. Their mission in life is to grow, but they grow in silence. And they never grow when you look at them. But before you know it, they explode into life and steal the show with amazing bloom.

Keep reading and find out what is a succulent plant, and how to identify them as such!

carpubrutus flowers

Create a succulent garden

If you live in warm and dry areas. You have the luxury to create your own succulent garden, full of botanical diversity of exotic drought-tolerant plants. Study their natural behavior and fascinating seasonal change. How a seemingly dead stick suddenly wakes up from dormancy and explodes into new life. A rapid transformation from something unnoticeable to eye-catching green foliage.

You can design a succulent garden based on blooming periods. With flowering plants every month of the year to show off to the neighbors. There is a great diversity of plants to choose from. Anything from low growing and ground cover, to bulbs, bushes, and trees. And of course a myriad of cacti in different sizes and shapes. Some are sun-thirsting and heat-loving, while others prefer a more secluded existence in the protecting shade. 

A succulent garden is low-maintenance

Creating a succulent garden is getting increasingly popular, and it is easy to understand why. They are often low maintenance and don’t need our constant attention. Therefore, you don’t have to prune or water them too frequently. You can go on vacation without worrying about your garden’s well-being. You can be certain, that your garden will take care of itself without your presence. 

Many types of succulents

A large variety of plants that are considered to be succulents. It includes any growing plant with a fleshy leaf, trunk, or root that seems “succulent”. It could be a cactus, tree, bush, bush, or even the familiar superfood kale, with its erect nutritious leaves. Some grow tall towards the sun, while others barely cover the ground. Some succulents are natural Bonsais, and others can be cultivated into a Bonsai.

Common Cacti

There is a myriad of different cacti families such as:

  • Mammillaria
  • Parodia
  • Lepismium
  • Notocactus
  • Tephrocactus
  • Disocactus
  • Echinofossulocactus
  • Cleistocactus
  • Espostoa
  • Cintia
  • Copiapoa
  • Gymnocalycium
  • Ariocarpus
  • Cylindropuntia
  • Trichocereus
  • Herocactus
  • Lophophora
  • Hylocereus
  • Epiphyllum
  • Rhipsalis
  • Astrophytum
  • Nopalea
  • Cereus
  • Mila
  • Arequipa
  • And many, many more

Common Succulents

There are plenty of succulent plants, commonly referred to as simply “succulents”:

Mesembryanthemum or Mesembs

Several types of aizoaceae and low-growing succulents:

  • Lithops / Living Stones
  • Delosperma
  • Conophytum
  • Dorotheanthus
  • Dinteranthus
  • Lampranthus
  • Ruschia
  • Mestoklema
  • Lapidaria
  • Titanopsis
  • Carpobrotus
  • Cheiridopsis
  • Drosanthemum
  • Pleiospilos
  • Faucaria
  • Argyroderma
  • Bergeranthus
  • Aloinopsis
  • Trichodiadema
  • And many, many more

Succulent lifecycle

Is your succulent a winter grower?

If your succulent has a subdued presence during the summer but seems to come to life and accelerate in growth once the fall comes – means that you have a winter grower.

Let’s say you impulse buy a stunning succulent. Seduced by its beauty, you proudly take it home without realizing your new friends corky personality. You may have purchased a winter-growing succulent. As the name suggests, they thrive during the cold and dark months of the year and go dormant during the hottest months. 

If you are unaware of this phenomenon. You may assume that your dear plant has dried up and died, for no apparent reason. Meanwhile, it just went for a three-month nap. Later that summer, when the days are shorter and the temperature is slightly cooler. These seemingly dead plants will show subtle signs of life. All of the sudden, a few tiny fresh green leaves will appear, hinting that winter is coming. Shortly after the first autumn rainfall. The arid landscape is decorated with intense blooms, in every color imaginable. 

A cactus will usually shrink slightly during winter rest. But once the sun gets warmer and the days become longer, they are ready for more frequent watering. They will slowly wake up from dormancy and regain their normal size ahead of the growing season.

Succulent dormancy - Some winter growing plants are:

  • Kalanchoe (some)
  • Pelargonium (some)
  • Peperomia
  • Sedum
  • Sansevieria
  • Aloe (some)
  • Haworthia
  • Crassula
  • Portulacaria (some)
  • Adromischus
  • Graptoveria
  • Anacampseros
  • Sedeveria
  • Pachyveria
  • Cotyledon
  • Aeonium
  • Senecio
  • Dudleya
  • Gasteria (some
  • Graptopetalum
  • Pachyphytum
  • And many, many more
gasteria flowering

Or, is your succulent a summer grower?

Most plants in the colder hardiness zones are typically summer growers, perfectly adapted for colder climates. They grow in the summer and take a rest, or go dormant during the winter. They are typically very easy to care for and without much drama. Although, a lot of plants are opportunistic growers and can grow anytime as long as the conditions are right.

Is the plant dead or dormant?

There are a few simple tests you can do to see if your plant is dormant:

If you see a dead-looking plant at home during summer and you are uncertain if it is dormant or dead. Just do a gentle test, by scratching or breaking a tiny branch. It is most certainly dormant if it is fresh, juicy, and bright green inside. Just let it go back to sleep, and don’t disturb it. It will thank you during the upcoming winter months with impressive growth and eye-catching flowers.  

Another way to check if a plant is dormant is the “snap-scratch test”, a term coined by Oklahoma State University. Simply take a thin branch and bend it fully. If it breaks, it is most certainly dead. But if it snaps back without breaking, it is probably dormant.

When does a succulent flower?

Succulents bloom every month during the year. Like plants in general, most blooms occur during spring and summer. Sometimes certain plants flowers multiple times if the conditions are right. However, if the plant is given the wrong fertilizer, temperature or watering, it may not flower the current season. For example, if a plant is given a fertilizer with too much nitrogen. It may trigger the plant to solely produce green leaves and foliage instead of flowers and root development.

Succulent Plants – Pros and Cons

Pros of Succulent Plants

A huge variety of succulent plants to choose from

Succulent plants come in many sizes, shapes and forms. Anything form trees and bushes to cacti and living stones, are considered to be succulents. Many succulents are popular houseplants because of eye-catching growth, thick caudex or breathtaking flowers. Plenty of succulents are well known houseplants and a familiar sight in lots of homes. Or you do your own research and discover rare specimens that will enhance your garden, or take the interior design of your home to the next level.

Succulents may improve our health

Some succulents, like Sansevieria (snake plant) and Aloe Vera, have a remarkable ability to purify the air in your home. This is not exclusive to succulents. Also, they help to maintain humidity indoors, especially during dry winters. An interesting university study from Norway suggests a significantly lower absence rate in offices with plants. A number of studies suggest that having plants a work, especially on your desk, will help you focus and be more attentive. Both the genus of Aloe and Euphorbia have medicinal properties with a variety of health benefits. However, most Euphorbias are more commonly known to be toxic.

Succulents are very drought-resistant

You rarely have to water a succulent and they are still happy if you forget. Succulents are in many ways very easy and forgiving plants. They thrive on neglect and will never punish you for forgetting to water them. In fact, they prefer to dry out completely between watering. Many succulents have a dormant season (winter or summer) where they enter dormancy for many months without any water.

Succulents are low-maintenance plants - usually

Taking care of a succulent is usually a very passive activity. They are great at looking after themselves. As long as they have sufficient light and are allowed to dry out between waterings, you’ll have a healthy and satisfied plant. Potential problems usually occur if the plant is overwatered. As well as, if you are located far away from a plant’s natural hardiness zone, and you are unable to replicate the required conditions at home. Some succulents are very picky and require near-perfect conditions, while others are easygoing going and will settle in your home with ease.

Some succulents may produce fruit

Plenty of cacti will reward you with a seasonal fruit harvest. Some of the more common are Opuntia (Prickly Pear) and Dragon fruit, which consistently deliver delicious fruit in the correct climate.

Many succulents produce amazing flowers

Cacti might show off the most spectacular bloom on the planet. A Cactus has such a sharp contrast in appearance. At first sight, it may appear spiny and hostile, and something you don’t want to get too close to. Followed by jaw-dropping flowers that are larger than the cactus itself. The cactus genuses: Echinocereus, Echinopsis and Sulcorebutia are well known for their impressive flowers, just to name a few.

Cons of Succulent Plants

Most succulents are slow growers

A succulent is typically a rather slow grower and does not offer excessive “action” at times. They may not show off an obvious seasonal transformation in size and massive foliage like many other plants. They have over millions of years developed a very successful survival strategy, rather than a fast growing seasonal strategy.

Many succulents have very sharp spines

Watch out, cacti spines are sharp and unforgiving! Well not really, It’s really not too much drama to own a few cacti. After all, it’s just a plant and not a tiger you have in your backyard. Just remember, please be careful with children and when playing with pets who run back and forth. Some cacti, such as the Cholla cactus, is considered fairly extreme. Since it’s completely covered with needle-sharp spines equipped with barbs that get stuck on your skin, even from just the slightest of touches. Also, a large cactus covered with spines is very bulky and difficult to handle when it is time to repot. You need protective gloves, newspapers, grill tong etc.

Some succulents are very toxic

Some succulents are extremely toxic and should always be handled with care. You, the plant owner, must take full responsibility to research and fully understand if any houseplants are toxic in any way. Needless to say, be extra careful if you have children or pets at home. Plenty of succulents from the genuses: Euphorbia, Kalanchoe, Sansevieria, and Crassula are toxic, as well as the deceptively beautiful Desert Rose (Adenium Obesum), along with many other plants. A great gardener does great research.

Succulents are prone to rot

If succulents sit in water for too long they might rot. They need well-draining soil, and to dry out completely before the next watering. Succulents who sit in water have a tendency to rot very easily, some more than others.

Some succulents grow large – eventually

If you invest in a succulent, you are likely to have it in your home for many years. Some of them tend to grow rather large over time. They may require seasonal pruning, or that you move it outside if it takes up too much space.

FAQ - What is a succulent plant?

Most frequent questions and answers

It is pretty easy to determine what is a succulent plant. Typically, they have thick parts that retain water, such as fleshy leaves, trunks, or branches. With the ability to store water, so they can tolerate long periods of drought.

If given the right conditions indoors, succulents will live their normal lifespan. Which, depending on the plant, varies from one season to hundreds of years.

It can be both, depending on the hardiness zone. Some plants are very frost sensitive, while others are fine as long as they are kept dry. It is very common to move succulents outside during summer and indoors during winter.

Best succulent care varies from plant to plant. But in most cases, they prefer to dry out completely in between waterings. Most succulents prefer a location with full sun exposure, while others prefer protective shade.

Succulents, much like cacti and Lithops, prefer the full sun prime spot. The more sun, the better. During winters, these types of plants prefer to be positioned under a grow lamp indoors, if you have limited hours of daylight.

Some succulents are great for beginners, while others are very difficult even for experienced gardeners. Ease plants for beginners are: Kalanchoe, some cacti, some Euphorbia, Agave, Echeveria and Crassula.

Yes, a cactus is a succulent. All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Succulents come, as mentioned above, in many shapes and forms. Cacti are very distinguishable succulents. With their unmistakably compact shape and excellent ability to store water. It is pretty easy to understand what type of plant it is by just looking at it.