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Writer's pictureKajol Mathur

Everything you need to know about Succulent Plants


teal succulent plant

"You'll only have about 20,000 choices," said Joe Clements, at the Cactus and Succulent Society of America (CSSA) annual meeting. Lets start from the beginning & tell you all about Succulents!

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Table of Content

1

What are Succulent Plants

2

What do succulent plants signify or symbolize?

3

Origin of Succulent plants

5

Fun facts about Succulent plants

6

Types of Succulent Plants

What are Succulent plants?


succulent plant

The name is Latin in origin, Succulent comes from the Latin word sucus, which means juice or sap. All succulents primarily have a common feature of storing water in the leaves enables so as to able to survive extreme dry or harsh conditions without water for weeks. Also the reason why you do not need to water them that often.


There are about 60 different families and around 20,000 variety of succulent plants. Yes those are the no. of choices you get!



What do succulent plants signify or symbolize?


symbolism of succulent plants

Succulent plants have various symbolic meanings depending on cultural and personal interpretations. Here are some of the most common symbolic meanings associated with succulent plants:

  1. Resilience and Endurance: Succulent plants are known for their ability to store water and survive in harsh conditions. Therefore, they are often seen as symbols of resilience, endurance, and adaptability. These qualities can inspire people to overcome challenges and difficulties in their own lives.

  2. Abundance and Prosperity: Some succulent plants, such as the Jade plant, are believed to bring prosperity and good luck. Their ability to grow and thrive in difficult conditions is seen as a symbol of abundance and wealth.

  3. Healing and Cleansing: In some cultures, succulent plants are believed to have healing and cleansing properties. They are used in various rituals and ceremonies to promote physical and emotional well-being.

  4. Patience and Perseverance: Succulent plants grow slowly and steadily, and it can take years for them to reach their full potential. This slow growth is seen as a symbol of patience and perseverance, encouraging people to take their time and keep working towards their goals.

  5. Uniqueness and Individuality: Succulent plants come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and each one is unique. This individuality is seen as a symbol of self-expression and creativity, inspiring people to embrace their own uniqueness.

Overall, succulent plants are admired for their beauty, resilience, and adaptability, and their symbolic meanings can inspire people in various ways. Reasons why I chose this beautiful plant as my Company logo!


Origin of Succulent plants

Succulents first cropped up in areas with long dry seasons (such as Africa), since they store water in their leaves.


Fun Facts about Succulent Plants


planting a succulent plant

1. Succulents Have Natural Sun Protection

If you grow succulents you might notice they have a waxy or dust-like coating on their leaves. Succulents have a natural sunscreen known as epicuticular wax or farina. This coating or film protects succulents from the sun and keeps the succulent leaves from burning if they get too much light.


2. Pest Resistant Plants

Succulents are fairly pest resistant. This is another reason why they are so easy to maintain. If you grow your succulents indoors you could have fungus gnats, mealybugs, spider mites or woolly aphids. Outdoors the problems could be scale or aphids. Overall, most succulents do not have pest problems.


3. Succulents Can Be Fashionable

Did you know there is succulent jewelry? There are succulent rings, bracelets, and earrings and they continue to grow as you wear them. They will grow for weeks at a time. If you are creative, this might be an idea for you to try. You can find the succulent rings here. Another place succulents are showing up is in cake decorating. This Food Network article shows us succulents are replacing icing flowers on cakes. The ivenoven Instagram account has many photos on this trend.


4. Succulents Come In Many Colors And Varieties

When people think of succulents they think of shades of green but there are succulents that are shades of blue, orange, pink, purple, red, and yellow. There are succulents that have curvy leaves and ones with fuzzy leaves. Some look like flowers and others like cactus grow quite tall. There are many to choose from depending on your aesthetics and growing conditions.


5. They are one of the easiest plants to grow in the World!

Succulents can be found virtually everywhere in the world. Some Succulents are virtually indestructible and their undemanding nature makes them an ideal plant for many tough growing situations. Their versatility also allows them to thrive both outdoors and yes, even indoors. They can live without water or sunlight for a very long time.


6. You can grow succulent plants from their cuttings

It's called "propagating." To do this, snip off a succulent leaf, let it dry in the sun, and plant it in dirt and water.


7. All Cacti are succulent but all succulent are not cacti

Cacti are typically defined by their areoles, which are small, round, cushion-like structures that produce spines, flowers, and new growth. They are also native to the Americas, whereas many other succulent plants come from different regions of the world. So, while all cacti are considered succulents, not all succulents are cacti.


Types of Succulent Plants


different types of succulent plants

There are so many types of succulent plants, and they come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Here are some of the most common types of succulent plants:

  1. Aloe: Aloe plants are known for their medicinal properties and are often used in skincare products. They have fleshy, spiky leaves that come in a variety of shades of green and can grow up to several feet tall.

  2. Echeveria: Echeveria plants are popular succulents that come in a wide range of colors, from pale green to pink and purple. They have rosette-shaped leaves that form a tight, compact arrangement.

  3. Sedum: Sedums are low-growing succulents that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They have thick, fleshy leaves and produce clusters of small flowers.

  4. Crassula: Crassulas are another popular type of succulent plant that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They have thick, fleshy leaves that can be round or pointed, and some species produce small, star-shaped flowers.

  5. Haworthia: Haworthias are small, slow-growing succulent plants that have thick, fleshy leaves with white or translucent markings. They are often used in terrariums and dish gardens.

  6. Agave: Agaves are large, dramatic succulent plants that are often used in landscaping. They have thick, fleshy leaves that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and some species can grow up to several feet tall.

  7. Kalanchoe: Kalanchoes are popular houseplants that have thick, fleshy leaves and produce clusters of small flowers. They come in a wide range of colors and can grow up to several feet tall.

  8. Sempervivum: Sempervivums, also known as "hens and chicks," are small, rosette-shaped succulent plants that produce offsets, or "chicks," around the base of the plant. They come in a variety of colors and are often used in rock gardens and as ground cover.

These are just a few examples of the many types of succulent plants that exist. Each one has its own unique characteristics and can make a beautiful addition to any garden or indoor space.





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