Succulents Vs. Cacti: What’S The Difference
Last Updated on July 8, 2023
When it comes to desert plants, succulents and cacti are often lumped together. And while they may share some similarities, there are also some important differences between the two. So, what exactly is the difference between a succulent and a cactus?
Read on to find out!
One of the main differences between succulents and cacti is their appearance. Cacti typically have thick, fleshy stems that are covered in spines.
Succulents, on the other hand, tend to have thinner leaves or stems and usually don’t have any spines. This difference in appearance is due to the fact that cacti are adapted to living in dry, arid climates while succulents come from regions that receive more rainfall.
CACTUS CARE for Beginners | DIFFERENCE between CACTUS and SUCCULENTS
If you’re a plant lover, you’ve probably noticed that succulents and cacti are having a moment. These water-wise plants are perfect for people who want to enjoy the beauty of plants without all the hassle of watering them. But what’s the difference between succulents and cacti?
Here’s a quick guide to help you tell these two types of plants apart.
Succulents are any type of plant that has thick, fleshy leaves or stems that store water. This means that they can survive in dry conditions for long periods of time without needing to be watered.
Succulents come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, which is one of the things that makes them so popular.
Cacti are a type of succulent that is native to desert regions. They have adapted to survive in extremely hot and dry conditions by storing water in their thick stems.
Cacti typically have sharp spines instead of leaves, which helps protect them from being eaten by animals. Many people think cacti are just desert plants, but there are actually many different types that grow in all kinds of climates around the world.
So, what’s the difference between succulents and cacti?
The main difference is where they come from—succulents can come from any climate while cacti are only found in deserts. However, both types of plants share some common features like thick leaves or stems that store water (which is why they’re both great choices for low-maintenance gardening). So whether you choose a cactus or a succulent for your home, you’ll be sure to add some extra style with very little effort!
Succulents That are Not Cacti
There are a lot of plants that get lumped into the cactus category that are not actually cacti. These plants share a lot of similarities with cacti, such as being succulents, having thick fleshy leaves, and living in dry arid environments. However, they are not true cacti.
Some examples of these plants include:
1. Euphorbias
Euphorbias are a huge family of over 2,000 species of flowering plants that come in all shapes and sizes.
While many euphorbias look like cacti, they are actually more closely related to poinsettias. They can be found all over the world in tropical and subtropical regions.
2. Agaves
Agaves are another large family of succulent plants that includes around 200 different species. These spiky plants are native to the hot deserts of Mexico and the southwestern United States. Like euphorbias, they have thick fleshy leaves that store water for long periods of time without needing much rainfall.
3. Aloes
Aloes are a genus of about 500 species of succulent flowering plants that are native to Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. Most aloes have thick fleshy leaves with pointed tips and vertical stripes or spots running down them.
They flowers grow on tall stalks and come in a variety colors including yellow, orange, pink, and red.
Difference between Cacti And Succulents
When it comes to plants, there are a lot of different types that you can choose from. If you’re looking for something unique, then you may be wondering what the difference is between cacti and succulents.
Both cacti and succulents are types of plants that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots.
This helps them to survive in dry climates. Cacti are native to the Americas, while succulents are found in Africa, Madagascar, and other parts of the world.
Cacti have thick, fleshy stems with spines or prickles.
They usually don’t have leaves, but some species do have small ones. Succulents have thinner stems and their leaves are often thick and fleshy like their stems. They also tend to grow in rosettes or clusters.
So, what’s the difference between these two plant types? Cacti are adapted to desert conditions and can store large amounts of water in their bodies. Succulents prefer more humid environments and don’t typically store as much water as cacti do.
However, both plant types need well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight to thrive.
Difference between Cactus And Normal Plant
When you think of a cactus, you probably think of a desert plant with sharp spines. And while that’s certainly true of some cacti, not all of them are so prickly. In fact, there are more than 2,000 species of cacti, and they come in all shapes and sizes.
So what exactly is a cactus?
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, which includes about 127 genera and over 1750 species. Cacti are native to the Americas, and most of them grow in arid or semi-arid habitats.
They have several adaptations that help them survive in these dry conditions, including thick fleshy stems or leaves that store water, shallow roots that spread wide to absorb as much water as possible when it rains, and spines that protect them from predators and keep their bodies from losing too much moisture through evaporation.
While all cacti share these characteristics, there is a lot of variation within the group. For example, some cacti are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand while others can grow taller than a person.
Some have colorful flowers while others do not bloom at all. And as we mentioned before, some have spines while others do not.
So what’s the difference between a cactus and a regular old plant?
Well, for starters, most plants are not adapted to survive in such dry conditions. They would quickly succumb to dehydration without regular watering (which is why you have to water your houseplants so often). Cacti also tend to have thinner leaves than other plants because they don’t need them for photosynthesis (since they store water in their stems instead).
Finally, the vast majority of plants produce seeds that need soil and water to germinate; but many cacti reproduce via pollination and their seeds only need air!
Cactus Vs Succulent Care
Cacti and succulents are often lumped together as one group of plants, but there are some important differences between the two. Here’s a quick guide to cactus vs succulent care:
Light: Both cacti and succulents need bright light to thrive, but cacti can handle more direct sunlight than succulents.
If you’re growing your plants indoors, place them near a south-facing window.
Water: One of the biggest differences between cacti and succulents is water needs. Cacti are much more drought tolerant than succulents and can go long periods without water.
When watering cacti, always allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. This will help prevent root rot. Succulents, on the other hand, need more consistent watering—about once a week or so—and prefer not to have their roots sitting in water for extended periods of time.
Watering early in the day will give the plant time to dry out before nightfall, which helps prevent fungal diseases.
Soil: Cacti and succulents both prefer well-draining soil. A commercial potting mix formulated for cactus or succulent growth is your best bet.
If you’re making your own mix, be sure to add plenty of perlite or coarse sand to promote drainage.
Fertilizer: Fertilizing isn’t necessary for most cacti and succulents, but if you want to give your plants a boost, use a fertilizer designed for use with these plants (usually labeled “cactus fertilizer” or “succulent fertilizer”). Apply it according to package directions during the growing season (spring through fall).
Do Succulents Have Thorns
Succulents are a type of plant that typically have thick, fleshy leaves or stems. They store water in these tissues, which helps them to survive in arid conditions. Many succulents also have sharp spines or thorns on their leaves or stems.
These structures help to protect the plant from predators and conserve water by deterring animals from eating the succulent tissue.
Not all succulents have thorns, but many do. The cactus is a well-known example of a thorny succulent.
Other common examples include agave, aloe, and Euphorbia species. Some people find the presence of thorns off-putting, but they can be easily removed if you don’t want them on your plants.
Credit: planetdesert.com
Are Cacti And Succulents the Same?
No, cacti and succulents are not the same. Though they are both plants that store water in their leaves, stems or roots, cacti are adapted to dry desert conditions while succulents can survive in a variety of climates. The main difference between the two is that cacti have specialised tissues that allow them to minimise water loss through evaporation, while succulents generally have thicker leaves to help them retain water.
Do Cacti Count As Succulents?
Most people believe that cacti are succulents, but technically, they are not. Succulents are a type of plant that has thick, fleshy leaves or stems that store water. Cacti have these same characteristics; however, they belong to a different family of plants called the Cactaceae family.
Why are Cacti Called Succulents?
Cacti are a type of plant that store water in their leaves, stems, and roots. They are native to arid and semi-arid regions of the Americas, and their name comes from the Greek word for “thorny plant.” Cacti are often called succulents because they have thick, fleshy leaves that help them retain water in dry environments.
There are over 2,000 species of cactus, and they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some popular types of cactus include the saguaro, prickly pear, barrel cactus, and Christmas cactus.
Cacti are well-adapted to survive in hot, dry climates because they have several features that help them conserve water.
For example, most cacti have shallow root systems that spread widely to absorb moisture from rain or dew. They also have thickened leaves or stems that store water (this is why many cacti are barrel-shaped). In addition, most cacti lack leaves altogether; instead, they have spines which minimize surface area exposed to the sun and wind (thus reducing evaporation).
Finally, many cacti display a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis pathway which allows them to open their stomata at night when it is cooler and close them during the day to prevent water loss.
While all these adaptations help cacti thrive in arid conditions, they also make these plants very popular as houseplants. Because they require little watering and can tolerate neglect better than most other plants, even those with a black thumb can successfully grow a cactus!
Is it okay to use cactus soil for succulents, or vice versa?
The difference between cactus and succulent soil is crucial. While cactus soil is specifically formulated for cacti plants, succulent soil is more versatile, suitable for a wider range of succulents. While using cactus soil for succulents may work, it may not provide the ideal drainage and moisture retention that succulents require.
Conclusion
Succulents and cacti are two very popular types of plants, but what’s the difference between them? Here’s a quick rundown:
Succulents are a type of plant that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots.
This allows them to survive in dry or desert conditions. Cacti are a type of succulent that have adapted to live in especially dry conditions. They typically have thick, fleshy stems and long roots that help them store water.
So, while all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti. However, both types of plants make great houseplants thanks to their low-maintenance needs!
