Have you noticed those plump, colorful little guys in your home or office? They are succulent plants, don't you find them both cute and mysterious? Today, let me take you to unveil the mystery of succulent plants, see what kind of plants they are, and what are their unique characteristics.
What are succulent plants, exactly?
Succulent plants, as the name implies, are plants with thick leaves and a super strong ability to store water. Their name comes from the Latin word "succos," meaning juice, so they are also called succulent plants. Don't be fooled by their cute appearance, they are actually "survival experts" adapted to arid environments!
The Family of Succulent Plants
The family of succulent plants is vast, with over 10,000 known species worldwide, involving 50 to 60 families and more than 300 genera. Common succulent plants include Crassulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Aizoaceae, Cactaceae, Liliaceae, Agavaceae, Asclepiadaceae, etc. Among them, succulent plants from the Cactaceae and Aizoaceae families are the most well-known.
The Classification of Succulent Plants
Succulent plants can be divided into four main categories based on the location of their water-storing organs within the plant:
1. Leaf Succulents: The characteristic of this type of plant is its highly fleshy leaves, while the stem's succulence is relatively low. Common leaf succulents include Aloe, Haworthia, Lithops, and Sempervivum.
2. Stem Succulents: Stem succulents mainly store water in their stems. The stems contain a large number of water-storing cells and have photosynthetic tissues on the surface. The leaves are very few, or they may not have leaves at all. For example, cacti and Euphorbia obesa.
3. Root Succulents: Root succulents store water in their roots. The roots are relatively fleshy, which can prevent sunburn from strong light and avoid being eaten by herbivores. The stems and leaves fall off during the driest seasons to preserve water in the roots.
4. Other Succulents: All parts of total succulents are water-storing organs.
The Growth Habits of Succulent PlantsMost succulent plants prefer a warm, well-ventilated, and sunny environment. They are not very tolerant of high or low temperatures, are drought-tolerant, but fear waterlogging. Therefore, during the care period, we need to control the temperature in time, especially the high and low temperatures in summer and winter, and also strictly control watering, preferring the soil to be dry rather than wet.
Care Tips for Succulent Plants1. Light: Most succulent plants need plenty of sunlight, but they should also be protected from direct sun. Generally, you can place potted plants by a window to ensure they receive light, but if the temperature is too high, they need appropriate shade.
2. Watering: Most succulent plants are drought-tolerant, and overwatering can cause root rot. Generally, you need to ensure the soil is completely dry before each watering, which you can feel by touching the soil surface. When the temperature is high in summer, you can water once a week, while when the temperature is low in winter, you can water once a month.
3. Soil: Succulent plants need a soil that is well-ventilated, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. To ensure the health of the plant, you can use a pre-made succulent plant soil mix.
4. Temperature: The suitable growth temperature for most succulent plants is between 15°C and 25°C. You can choose a bright indoor location for cultivation.
5. Fertilizer: You can add an appropriate amount of special fertilizer for succulent plants when watering each month. During the growing season in summer, you can use fertilizer every two weeks, but no fertilizer is needed in winter.
Propagation Methods for Succulent PlantsSucculent plants can be propagated in various ways, including division, cuttings, leaf cuttings, and other methods. Among them, division is the most common propagation method.
The Charm of Succulent PlantsThe reason succulent plants are loved by people is not only because of their unique appearance, but also because they are easy to care for. Succulent plants have various shapes, bright colors, and beautiful shapes, making them very suitable as home decorations. At the same time, succulent plants have a long growth cycle and do not require much maintenance time, making them very suitable for busy modern people.
Succulent plants are both cute and practical plants. They not only beautify our living environment but also bring us a pleasant mood. Come and embrace these lovely succulent plants!