If you love house plants but struggle to keep them alive, succulents and cacti can be great options for you. Both of these desert plants are hardy, beautiful, affordable, and can withstand difficult environments. If you’re a busy person who can’t keep more delicate houseplants alive, a cactus or succulent could be a great option.
However, while cacti and succulents are both hardy plants, there are some key differences between the two. It’s important to understand these differences so you’re able to choose the perfect house plant for your living situation.
The Definition of Cacti vs. Succulents
According to Oxford Dictionary, the definition of a cactus is “a succulent plant with a thick, fleshy stem that typically bears spines, lacks leaves, and has brilliantly colored flowers. Cacti are native to arid regions of the New World and are cultivated elsewhere, especially as houseplants.”
The definition of a succulent is a bit more all-encompassing. Typically, any plant with thick, fleshy tissues adapted for the long-term storage of water is considered a succulent. A cactus is thus a small subset of the succulent category. All cacti, by definition, are succulents - but not all succulents are cacti.
One of the beautiful things about cacti and succulents is the diversity of the category. There are 2,000 species of cactus alone, and there are even more types of succulents. While both tend to do well in arid, dry climates, the sheer range of succulent and cactus habitats means that different species can vary quite significantly from one another.
We’ll use the word “desert” as an example of just how different cacti and succulents can be. Succulents typically do best in arid and semi-arid biomes. Mexico and South Africa are two great locations for succulents, and many varieties of succulents flourish in these two countries. Cacti, on the other hand, are native to North and South America and are adapted specifically for the deserts in that region.
Typically, succulents do well in arid but otherwise moderate locales. The coastal regions of South Africa and the high elevations of subtropical Mexico are dry and sunny areas, but they are not true deserts, and both are great locations for succulents. Cacti, on the other hand, do best in extreme biomes. The deserts of the American Southwest and northern Mexico can see wide temperature swings from daytime highs to nighttime chills, and cacti thrive in these locations - locations that are often too dry and extreme for many varieties of succulents. (Of course, there are exceptions, and some succulents can weather drier conditions just fine.)
This is an important distinction to keep in mind. The fact that cacti and succulents are often sold together, often under the term “desert plants,” can sometimes be confusing for the consumer, who might think of succulents as merely a different form of a cactus or vice versa. While the two varieties are related and have similar care needs in some ways, they are not carbon copies. If you assume your succulent can go without water as long as a cactus can, your plant is likely going to die.
Tips on Care
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Know If You Bought a Cactus or Succulent. The two are very similar, but the care routine of each is slightly different.
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Know Your Specific Variety. There are some succulents that can go quite a while without water and some cacti that need a bit more water than others. The better you understand the specifics of the plant you are caring for, the better you can adjust your care routine accordingly for the best results.
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Consider Your Use Case. Will this be outdoor or indoor? How direct is this plant’s access to sunlight? Do you have pets? How consistent are you typically with houseplant care? These are all the questions to ask yourself as you begin to decide which type of cactus or succulent is right for you.
While some species require specific care instructions, there are also some universal guidelines when it comes to caring for cacti or succulents.
- Provide Plenty of Sunlight, but Not Too Much. Both will need a good light source, but some might turn an off-putting color if left in the sun continuously.
- Find the Right Mix of Water. This will vary with the species, but there is a fine line in watering a cactus or succulent. Too much will cause rot. Too little will cause wilting.
- Allow Free Drainage. Pot selection is crucial for both cactus and succulents. Without the right pot, your cactus or succulent might be left sitting in water, which only increases the risk of rot.
- Know the Soil You Need. Both cacti and succulents fare best in sandy and gritty soil since this soil type drains so well. Remember, these plants are well suited for semiarid and arid biomes, not rainforests, so gritty and porous soil is a great selection for your houseplants.
Contact Shop Succulents
When you’re looking for the perfect succulent or cactus for your house, look no further than Shop Succulents. We have a wide variety of succulents and cacti for every use case, including:
- Bulk Succulents
- Wedding Succulents
- Variegated Succulents
- Houseplant Pots
- Small Cactus
- & More