What is a Succulent?

This blog is all about succulents, but exactly is a succulent? By now you've probably figured out that a succulent is a plant, and one that has gained much attention in recent years may I add. It is not just any plant though! What makes a succulent different from every other plant? The word succulent comes from the Latin word sucus which means juice or sap. Succulents are plants that have thicker areas on them that retain water. These areas are typically their leaves, stems, or both. They are drought resistant because of this. They are typically found in hot places. In other words, succulents do not need to be watered much to survive. This is why they are becoming a favorite household plant. People (including myself) love the fact that they are low maintenance plants and will live (and thrive) when people forget to water them for a couple of days. Another fun fact is that they are also pest resistant. Who doesn't love a plant that you can forget to water AND is pest resistant?!

There are many different types of succulents. Actually, about sixty different plant families contain succulents. People all like different ones and have different favorites. Some commonly know succulents include: cacti, aloe (hints the title of the blog), and agave. Cacti is know as the prickly plants and many people think of them in the desert. This should not be surprising after what I told you about them not needing water, and there not being water in the desert. Aloe is known as the stuff you put on your skin when you get a sunburn. This is interesting because it does not need much water yet it produces a gooey substance that can help your skin. Agave not be as well known as the others. However, it should be... maybe? Agave is known for being an ingredient in tequila. You might not have know that tequila was many from a plant, that means it is basically like eating a salad, right? Okay that might be a little stretch.

Other fun facts:

~You can find succulents in just about every color of the rainbow

~You can cut leaves off succulents and use them to grow more

~There are over 1,300 species of succulents

~There is a Christmas succulent

~There is such thing as succulent jewelry that actually grows as you wear it

~A cactus is always a succulent for a succulent is not always a cactus