Very often we confuse cacti with succulents. All these plants are adapted to drought, their tissues are thick, fleshy, often even prickly! But how do cacti differ from succulents from a botanical point of view?

One is prickly, the other is not. This is the principle.

Succulents

Succulents are very well adapted to drought. These fleshy plants can actually store water in their leaves, stem and roots. In addition, they have a special structure: the leaves are usually small, covered with a thick epidermis, sometimes with wax or even hair. Goal: retain as much water as possible in the leaves.

In terms of classification, succulents do not belong to either a group or a family. Rather, we are talking about plants with common morphological characteristics, but having nothing in common with each other.

cacti

Cacti are succulent plants that contain water in their tissues, which allows them to withstand long periods of drought. All cacti belong to the same family: Cactaceae. Cacti differ from other succulent plants by the presence of areoles - small hairy or woolly tufts located at the base of their spines.

Most cacti have needles. In some they are small, jagged, thin, united in bunches. They are usually very difficult to remove from the skin. The spines of cacti are like the branches and leaves of other plants, which during evolution turned into thorns in order to lose less moisture, protect the plant from herbivores, let in sunlight, and in some cases create an insulating layer between the plant and the hot air of arid climate zones .

To summarize, cacti are succulent plants with thorns, while succulents are generally thornless. And as always, the exceptions prove the rule, there are thornless cacti and spiny succulents.

On a note:

In addition to the typical areoles, the structure of the flowers and fruits will also help determine whether we are dealing with a cactus or another plant. However, these characteristics are not used very often (and the plant must bloom!).

Succulents: what a variety!

Succulents can be found in numerous botanical families, the existence of which few people realize. Their characteristics are more or less obvious: there is no doubt that echeveria is a succulent, with begonia but this is not so obvious.

Family Tolstyankov is one of the most typical families of succulents: it includes numerous succulent plants such as Crassula, Kalanchoe, Echeveria, Sedum, Sempervivum. Did you know that according to the classical classification, succulent plants of the genus Haworthia belong to the family Liliaceae(How lilies or muscari), as well as aloe (aloe vera)? Dracaena And sansevieria with its hard, thin and pointed leaves, they are not at all similar to the juicy and fleshy ones Lithops(“living stones”), but they also belong to succulents. The stems of some succulents with water reserves are more eye-catching than their leaves, such as bocarnei. Finally, some types milkweed(family M olichaea) look like cacti (we are talking about cactus-shaped plants), but are not them: for example, spurge heptagonal can often be found on store shelves among cacti.

Differences between American cacti and succulents.

Many of us love flowers and indoor plants. For many, this is a kind of hobby and even income. But it is worth noting that there is a separate category that does not belong to the cactus family, but is very similar to them.

What are American cacti and succulents: definition

- plants that belong to the cactus family and grow mainly in South America. Mostly the surface of plants is covered with spines or bunches of them. It is worth noting that cacti grow in almost all corners of the planet and also in Greenland, where there are eternal glaciers.

- plants that are able to accumulate moisture in their tissues and leaves and retain it for a long time. Actually, this term has nothing to do with classification, that is, almost all cacti are succulents. But the most interesting thing is that some plants are not at all similar to cacti, but belong to succulents. Actually, there is no specific definition in botany, but in the dictionary you can find the definition that these are plants that accumulate water in their leaves (aloe) or stems (cacti). Some sources indicate that almost every one of the 40 plant species contains at least one succulent.

What is the difference between American cacti and other succulents in appearance: photo

There is not much or a huge difference in appearance. After all, cacti are classified as succulents. But the fact is that succulents also include plants of other families, such as Aizaceae, Crassulaaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Agaveaceae. For example, succulents include milkweed and money tree. But these plants don’t have spines and they don’t look like cacti at all. Below are photos of cacti and succulents.

ABOUT Differences between cacti and other succulents:

• The presence of a thick stem and a tree-like, crust-like covering
• The surface of the cactus itself is quite hard and resembles bark. This prevents the rapid evaporation of water
• Almost all cacti have piles, hairs or spines. There are halos in place of spines or tufts of hairs
• There are no spines on the surface of succulents from families other than cacti.

What is the difference between American cacti and other succulents in growing and caring?

In fact, the difference in care can be huge. The fact is that among succulents there are plants that do not really like the sun and vice versa. In this case, it is worth considering a specific plant and the natural conditions of its growth.

Caring for cacti:

• Good lighting. It is best to install flowerpots with such plants on the windowsill.
• Watering in summer is more abundant. In winter, it is enough to water once every 1-2 weeks. For some cacti, watering stops completely. Only after the appearance of small shoots is watering and even spraying resumed.
• In the summer, watering is carried out daily, but it’s okay if you forget about watering once or twice.
• Transplant the plants once a year into a larger pot.
• Fertilize with special compounds for cacti.

Caring for other succulents:

• Some succulents do not like the sun, such as Decembrist or Christmas tree. It is classified as a succulent due to its dense leaves that retain a lot of moisture. The plant belongs to the zygocactus family. That is, to forest cacti.
• Mostly in natural conditions, such succulents grow in sunny forests, shaded by tree crowns. Actually, Decembrist is characterized by growth in depleted soil, but the humidity in the room should be high.

Actually, there is no single algorithm for caring for cacti and succulents, since plants can belong to different species and grow on different continents.

Which is better to choose: American cacti or other succulents?

It all depends on what kind of plants you like. If you love thorns and are not often at home, then American cacti are the ideal option for you. They are very easy to care for and do not need to be watered frequently. In summer, they can be placed on the balcony on the sunny side. If you are a computer enthusiast, choose a cactus. Scientists have proven that cacti absorb radiation from PCs and prevent the accumulation of fatigue.

If you are an experienced gardener, then get another type of succulent, such as Decembrist or aloe. They require more careful care and certain mineral fertilizers. When caring for such plants, you should often spray them with a spray bottle and maintain a constant level of humidity and temperature in the room. That is, you will have to purchase a humidifier. Some succulents with waxy and fleshy leaves should be shaded and not placed on window sills. They also feel better inside the room.

Difficulties in caring for non-cactus succulents:

• Control humidity and maintain it at a constant level
• Shading and frequent spraying required
• Periodic fertilization with special compounds

As you can see, almost any cactus is a succulent, but not every succulent belongs to the cactus family. This is the difference in care.

VIDEO: American cacti

When we talk about succulents, we are talking about a range of plants that live in areas where rainfall is typically sparse.
To survive, these plants turned their leaves and stems into their own water stores over thousands or maybe even a million years ago.
Thanks to these reserves, they can grow and survive in arid places and even in the desert.

But there is a lot of confusion about what succulents are and how to properly care for them. Let's figure it out.

What's happened succulent plants?
If we start with the term, the word comes from the Latin “suculentus” which means very “succulent”. This means that there are organs or parts of the plant (leaves, stems, trunk) that allow it to store water in greater quantities than other plants.

There are three types of such plants:

• cacti or stem succulents
• leaf succulents
• and plants with caudex

Cacti or stem succulents are plants that are typically characterized by the presence of thorns that cause harm to those who dare to touch them. But thorns are not always a distinctive feature of this type of succulent. There are species that have no spines or are so short that they are barely noticeable. There are several examples: Astrophytum asterias, Astrophytum nudum, Echinopsis subdenudata, Lophophora williamsii and others...

Thorns are very useful for cacti: they protect them from the sun, protect them from being eaten by animals, and also help them collect more water. What kind of water? Dew, of course. Drops of dew settle on the thorns, and water flows down the trunk to the roots of the plant.

How can you tell if a plant is a cactus or another succulent? Cacti have . From them grow thorns, if a particular species has them, and flowers.

Cacti take two types of forms: columnar, can reach a height of ten meters, or spherical but you should know that some of them such as Schlumbergera

They come from America, especially from the central part.

Leaf succulents- these are plants that store moisture in their fleshy leaves. The leaves can have an elongated shape, be flattened, thin, round, or grow in the form of a rosette. Their appearance resembles stones or miniature sculptural works made by an artist. Leaf succulents include Aloe, Agave, Sedum, Euphorbiaceae, Crassula, Lithops, and others.

How are they different from cacti? Mainly in two things: they don't have flowers, and the flowers sprout from a terminal stem. There are some that have what look like thorns, such as Euphorbia enopla, but they do not arise from the tree, but from the trunk itself.

Most of them are plants with a compact size that does not exceed thirty or hundreds of centimeters in height. However, there are some shrubby forms with a height of up to two meters or more, as in the case of Crassula ovata.

They originate primarily from Africa, growing in tropical South America, Madagascar, but can also be found in Europe.

Nowadays, various compositions made only from stem succulents and mixed with cacti are in fashion.

Plants with caudex. They are one of the most curious plants because they have normal leaves and flowers, but their trunk does something that a normal tree cannot do: store water in large quantities.

Thanks to this adaptation mechanism, they can withstand fairly long periods of drought. If they have a problem with lack of moisture, they may sacrifice leaves and even branches. Yes, yes: if they are in trouble, they stop feeding the branch and get rid of it. Then they seal the wound and that's it... they don't need to waste a lot of water.

We can find them in Africa, being the most famous Adenium obesum, Fockea edulis and Cyphostemma juttae.

The main habitat of cacti is from Canada to Chile. Some species of epiphytic cacti are found in Madagascar, Africa and the Manascarene Islands. It is assumed that cacti lived there before the separation of the continents. Cacti are also found on the Galapagos and Antilles islands.

The habitats of cacti differ strikingly from each other in climatic conditions. In northern Canada there are winters with temperatures down to -40°C and deep snow.

In the south of North America - in Nevada, Utah and Arizona - cacti have to endure not only heat, but also snow. Prolonged drought coupled with extreme heat is common in Southern California, Texas and New Mexico. The weather conditions are the same in Mexico.

Heat-loving species of cacti live in the subtropical and tropical conditions of southern Mexico, Central and South America.

North American cacti

In North America, despite the harsh Canadian climate, several species of cacti grow. The most common cacti are of the Opuntia genus. Prickly pears native to Canada vary in shape and size. Less common are cacti of the genus Coryphantas. This spherical cactus grows up to 8 cm in diameter. Cacti of the genera Opuntia and Coryphanta have adapted well to the frosty winters of Canada.

Cacti of Mexico and the southern states of the USA

In Mexico and the southern states of the United States, the habitat of cacti is wormwood and high-altitude succulent deserts. It is from these areas that most cactus species originate. The most common cacti are prickly pear, cereus, mammillaria and echinocactus.

In Mexico, cacti have long been used as building material, food and medicine. The national emblem of Mexico depicts a cactus.

South American cacti

In the Andes - the mountains of South America - cacti grow at an altitude of 4500 m above sea level. In mountainous areas, large average daily temperature fluctuations are observed; they can reach 40°C. Cacti of the genus Oreocereus grow in such difficult conditions. These are spiny cacti with a fluffy top of the stem.

The genus Oreocereus includes many species of cacti of different sizes and shapes - from small spherical to large columnar. A characteristic feature of plants of the genus Oreocereus are soft hairs that protect the plants from strong temperature changes in the mountains.

The northern Chilean and Peruvian deserts are often foggy and experience virtually no rain. Such conditions are suitable for the genera Haageocereus, Copiapoa, Neoporteria, Pygmecereus, Islaya, Eulhinia. These cacti obtain moisture exclusively from fog.

Despite the harsh weather conditions in Central Peru, cacti of the genus Oroya, Matucan, Tephrocactus, and Lobivia are widespread here.

Succulents are plants that have the ability to retain a large supply of moisture in their tissues. They are distinguished by their decorative qualities and can decorate any apartment or office, even with low levels of lighting, since succulents are completely unpretentious.

The flower is able to actively grow and develop at low temperatures, but the best option is a room atmosphere with high air humidity. Therefore, such plants can be placed next to fountains and aquariums.

These are great plants for children and very busy people because they are unpretentious, easy to care for, and succulents, like cacti, can withstand improper care and neglect for a long time. In addition, unlike other groups of plants, they are very easy to propagate.

Homemade succulents: photos and names

In nature, there are many succulents of different sizes and shapes, including colored ones, most of which have rosettes, since this dense arrangement of leaves helps retain moisture and survive in the desert; among them there are also flowering species.

Despite the wide variety of species, succulents are very similar in their needs. They need fresh air, sun, drained substrate, and watering throughout the growing season.

Household succulents: types, names, catalog

Agave americana

Wikipedia gives a complete description of the plant. It is a perennial leafy plant consisting of basal, hard, tapering, thick, linear-lanceolate leaves of green or green-variegated color. The leaves grow from one central leaf in a circle. Their edges are covered with small spines. American agave blooms rarely; the flowers are inconspicuous greenish-yellow, located on a long stalk. The temperature in the room where this flower is grown should be at least +8 degrees. Feeding and watering should be done once a month. American agave requires frequent replanting into a special deciduous-sandy-turf soil.

Queen Victoria Agave

Perennial leafy plant. The leaves are basal, concave, rigid, triangular in shape, matte, dark green in color, with a white edge along the edges, and at the end of each leaf there is a single long spine. Grow in a circle of the central leaf. Queen Victoria Agave does not bloom. The flower should not be placed on sunny windowsills; it should be protected from direct sunlight. The temperature in the room should not be higher than 21 degrees.

Adenium

Perennial tree plant. The stem of this succulent variety has compaction in the root zone, followed by branching upward. The leaves are dissected, serrated, lanceolate, light green in color. Flowering is abundant, but very rare. The flowers are double and simple, crimson in color with a light center. Homemade succulent needs watering (every 3 days) and daily spraying. The temperature during cultivation should not fall below +12 degrees.

Adromiscus spotted

Perennial plant with thick leaves. The succulent consists of basal, fleecy, thick, green-spotted leaves, the edges of which have a purple border. The leaves grow from a small, dense root stalk. In appearance, adrmiscus looks very saturated with moisture. When grown indoors, the plant should be watered moderately every evening. The flower must be protected from direct sunlight and not placed in the sun. The room temperature should not exceed +21 degrees.

Aloe variegated

A perennial leafy herbaceous succulent, the height of which does not exceed 30 cm. It consists of basal, hard, thick, linear-lanceolate, narrowed upward, green-variegated leaves with lightened waves. The leaves grow in a circle, forming a rose. Rarely blooms. The flowers are orange, located in a cluster of inflorescences. This home plant does not require special growing conditions, it just needs constant watering.

Aloe squat

This is a cactus from the Asphodelaceae family, 10-50 cm high. The leaves are basal, hard, thin, pointed, light green in color. There are small rough thorns on the surface of the petals. Aloe squamosum is widely used in folk medicine and is famous for its medicinal properties. The plant is unpretentious and does not require special care.

Anacampseros

A perennial climbing shrub consisting of dense shoots of dark purple color. The leaves are small, watery, dense. Arranged symmetrically along the branches. The flowers are pink, regular in shape, quite large in size, located on tall succulent stalks. Up to five can bloom on one branch at the same time. The plant is photophilous and needs a lot of sunlight. Requires unlimited space (for weaving) and needs constant watering.

Argyroderma

Perennial. Another name is Living Stones. The trunk of the succulent looks like a stone, painted in a grayish-green matte color. The plant has a massive rosette consisting of two rather fleshy thick leaves. The flowers are regular in shape, bright pink in color, with thin small petals. Appear at the point of contact of the leaves. The plant needs timely, abundant watering and plenty of sunlight. Argyroderma grows in drainage, fine-stony soil.

Apthenia

Perennial evergreen succulent. It has spreading, fleshy, creeping stems. The leaves are light green, watery, lanceolate, located symmetrically along the stem. Apthenia can become a climbing plant. The flowers are small, sparse, white or pink. The flower petals are thin, small, located in the axils, which are located at the ends of the branches. Needs abundant watering and good lighting. The air temperature in the room should be average.

Brighamy

A perennial tree-like leaf plant with a dense (in the root zone) stem, the height of which is 20−50 cm. The leaves are oval, elongated, lanceolate, covered with a waxy coating, shiny. The flowers are yellow, small, located on separate tall stalks. The plant is light-loving and needs regular moderate watering and good lighting.

Gasteria

A leafy perennial consisting of basal, slightly flattened, thick, green-spotted leaves with smooth edges and a sharp tip. The leaves form many dense rosettes. The flowers are tubular-swollen, small, located in the apical inflorescence on a long peduncle. The succulent is unpretentious to heat and light. Needs replanting (1 time/2 years) and regular watering.

Graptopetalum

An herbaceous, stemless perennial consisting of small, dense, watery, heart-shaped leaves. The leaves are matte, dark green, with a sharp end, collected in a pink rosette. The flowers are pink, large, lily-shaped, located on separate long peduncles. The plant is light-loving and needs a lot of light and regular watering. Prefers drainage, fine-stony soil.

Dorstenia

A leafy tree-like perennial with a dense stem, from the top of which single leaves are formed. The height of the stem is approximately 20−25 cm. The leaves are lanceolate, elongated, oval in shape. The flowers are green, are a capsule with seeds, located on a separate peduncle. The succulent is unpretentious to heat and light. Needs regular spraying and watering. The plant needs to be fed once a month.

Zamioculcas

A perennial leafy plant consisting of numerous stems on which shiny, dark green, lanceolate, oval-shaped leaves are symmetrically arranged. In the root zone the stem is watery and thick, upward it becomes thinner. Rarely blooms. The succulent needs frequent watering (1 time/2 days) and good lighting. Does not tolerate cold, the room temperature should not be less than +8 degrees.

Conophytum

Perennial houseplant, 5−10 cm high. The flowers are small, yellow. Needs abundant watering and plenty of sunlight. It grows only in fine rocky soil.

Cotyledon

A semi-shrub type of perennial with a woody single stem, which begins to bush over the years. This rather large succulent can reach a height of 50−180 cm. The leaves are dark green, thick, watery, and shiny. A reddish edging is noticeable along their edges. Rarely blooms. The flowers are star-shaped, white or light pink. The succulent tolerates low temperatures well, while excess moisture in the air and soil has a detrimental effect on the plant.

Other types of house succulents

In addition to the above, you should pay attention to the following types of these beautiful plants that can decorate any apartment or office:

Are cacti succulents or not?

Everyone knows what a cactus is and even a child can say what this plant looks like and give it a detailed description. The names succulent and cactus can often be found side by side, however, does this mean that both plants are relatives? What unites them?

The thing is that cacti, like succulents, are good adapted to survive in dry climates, they are able to store large amounts of moisture and are naturally resistant to low air humidity. However, cacti, although they belong to the group of succulents, are classified as a separate large cactus family.

Cacti come in the following types:

• Cylindrical;
• oval;
• disc-shaped;
• articulated;
• spherical.

Cacti can be either with or without leaves, and the same applies to spines. Very often, many amateur gardeners, due to their busyness, from the entire group of succulent plants choose cacti, since they can easily tolerate the lack of moisture and minimal care for a long time (for example, a person often goes on long business trips).

Diseases and pests, prevention

There are practically no plants in nature, including succulent plants (aloe, cacti, etc.), that are not subject to various diseases and pest attacks.

Succulents can be damaged by mites, thrips, and scale insects. Among the diseases, it is worth highlighting fungal rot, which develops rapidly and can lead to the death of the plant.

Therefore, in order for a flower to delight you with its beauty for many years, it is necessary to carry out the following preventive actions:

Which type of succulent or cactus to choose is up to everyone to decide for themselves. However, it must be remembered that any of these plants can decorate your interior and do not require special care.

Varieties of home succulents pictures