Though most of us refer to them by the common term, “desert plants,” the term “succulents” has grown in popularity. In horticulture, succulents are known as water storage plants. These plants store water in their thick, fleshy leaves. But that may be all that succulents have in common, seeing as how they come in a seemingly endless array of shapes, sizes, and colors.

One of the most often asked questions is: “What is the difference between a succulent and a cactus?” Cactus plants have spines, needles, and/or prickles; most succulents don’t. There are, however, some exceptions; e.g., the Crown of Thorn. A little know fact is that snake plants, kalanchoe, Christmas cactus, and asparagus, to name a few, are considered succulents. In any event, basic care is the same for both.

Succulents types: peperomia graveolens | mother of thousands | portulacaria afra | variegated string-of hearts | gymnocalycium mihanovichii | echeveria elegans | crassula capitella | euphoria lactea cristata | thimble cactus | crassula ovata | sedum adolphii | sedum rubrotinctum | aloe aristata | aeonium kiwi | adromischus cristatus