Succulents are often touted as some of the easiest plants to care for, but that is not the only reason they are so popular! Coming in various colors, textures, and shapes, they also tend to be some of the most distinctive and gorgeous plants you will see at your local nursery.
Characterized by their ability to store water in their fleshy leaves or bodies, succulents can be found in 60 different plant families. However, most species belong to the families of Asparagaceae, Aizoaceae, Cactaceae, and Crassulaceae.
In addition to their aesthetic qualities and ease of caretaking, many succulents are celebrated for their practical uses.
For example, the sticky gel of Aloe vera has soothing or moisturizing properties when applied to irritated or sunburnt skin. And you can thank the Agave tequilana for the existence of tequila.
Although succulents have a reputation for being hardy, keep in mind that that is not always the case! So before you adopt one of these oddly charismatic plants, research and find out everything you need to know about succulents to ensure the plant will thrive under your care.
In the meantime, continue below to gain some dreamy inspiration for your future succulent garden!
Source: mnn.com
Links
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus