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What Are Succulents and What Are Their Benefits?

What Are Succulents and What Are Their Benefits?

The Succulent Era

It’s no secret that succulents are one of the most popular houseplants around. The low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants are easy to care for, and they come in an array of shapes, sizes, and colors. Even though their popularity has been on the rise for quite some time, it seems as though this year has seen a massive spike in the sale of these plants to Americans now that we’re spending more time at home.

“We have seen a significant increase in sales during the pandemic, especially in areas where there are greater restrictions,” says Kari Burghardt, founder of Succulent Market. “It’s almost as if people are trying to fill their need for nature in whatever way they can.”

About Succulent Plants

Succulents are plants that store water in their leaves, stems, and roots. They are part of the Crassulaceae family and there are many different types.

Succulent plants come from all corners of the world, from Africa to Madagascar to Europe and Asia – and even in the United States!

Succulents are unique because of their ability to survive long periods of time without water. This means that succulent plants can be grown both indoors and outdoors, making them a popular choice for gardeners everywhere.

There are thousands of different kinds of succulent plants, including cacti which have adapted to live in desert conditions by storing water inside their tissues instead of relying on rainfall like other types of vegetation would do.

Succulents come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures making them one of the most diverse groups within plant life. Their diversity makes it possible for you to choose just about any type of environment that you would like your succulent garden to thrive in!

Whether you want something small like an air plant or something large enough to fill up an entire room full of greenery, there is always a perfect spot for these gorgeous little plants on your property.

Most Common Household Succulent Plants

1. Aloe Vera – The aloe plant is so versatile it’s often referred to as the “miracle plant.” It’s great for treating sunburns, and soothing skin irritation, and since it’s a succulent species, it’s super low maintenance.

2. Cactus – Cacti are probably the most well-known type of succulents. They come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, from spiky to smooth and from round to flat. They can be grown both indoors and outdoors, making them versatile!

3. Panda Plant – This plant has furry leaves that look like panda bears! It’s great at filtering air pollutants out of your home while being low maintenance at the same time.

4. Jade Plant – Jade is a popular choice because of its unique shape and vibrant green coloring. Plus, there’s an urban legend that says they’ll bring you money if you take good care of them. (Not sure how true that is, but we can all use a little extra cash.)

5. Snake Plant – One of the most popular succulents is the snake plant, known also as mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria Trifasciata). This is because it can take care of itself. It’s easy to care for and needs little water and sunlight to thrive.

Succulent Plant Growing and Caring Tips

Watering

Succulents should be watered thoroughly but infrequently.

Light

In general, succulents like bright sunlight, so they should be placed in a south- or west-facing window. They will tolerate partial shade, but growth will be slower and the plant may not flower.

Fertilizer

Use half strength of balanced fertilizer once every two months during the spring and summer. No fertilizer is necessary during the winter months.

Temperature

Succulents can be grown outdoors in most climates as long as they are protected from frost and strong winds. If growing indoors, keep the plants in an environment that has some moisture (bathrooms are ideal), and temperatures between 50°F and 70°F are ideal. Do not place directly on heat registers or vents.

Repotting

These plants do not need to be repotted frequently — only when the roots have filled the pot and water runs out of the drainage holes.

Benefits of Succulent Plants

Succulent plants take up very little space and will fit into any room in your home. They add a touch of color to your home and brighten up your living space as well.

Minimal Maintenance

Succulent plants are incredibly easy to care for and maintain. They don’t require much watering, as they hold and store moisture in their fleshy leaves. Because of this, they can survive through long periods of drought or neglect. They also grow well in both sunlight and shade, making them ideal for many different environments.

Diversity and Aesthetic Appeal

Decorating with plants is a great way to add interest, color, and life to your home. Plants add warmth and personality to a home and can be used to highlight a particular part of the room or as a focal point. So, is a succulent a good choice? Definitely!

Flowering succulents are known for their beautiful blooms which vary from shades of pink to yellow and orange. These varieties make excellent additions to houseplant collections due to their ability to flower at any time during the year (unlike many other types of houseplants which only bloom once).

Air Toxin Remover

Did you know that succulents can help improve the air quality in your home? In 1989, NASA and the Associated Press conducted a Clean Air Study that investigated ways to detoxify the air in space stations.

The research found that certain houseplants remove harmful pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and ammonia from the air. The results were published in a paper titled “Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement.”

Artificial Succulent Plants

Artificial Succulent Plants or Faux (fake) succulents are becoming very popular. They are used in homes, offices, shopping centers, and even as gifts. But why are they so popular? Here are some of the advantages of having artificial succulents:

Easy To Take Care Of

You don’t need to worry about watering your artificial succulent plants or providing them with fertilizer. You can have a beautiful plant that doesn’t require any maintenance. No matter if you’re out at work all day or on holiday for 2 weeks, your artificial succulents will always look their best!

Easy To Arrange

Artificial succulent plants can be arranged in many different ways. You can place them in a pot or create a designer display using rocks, sand, and driftwood. They also come in many different colors and sizes so you can mix and match them to suit your décor style.

Allergy-free

Artificial succulent plants don’t attract pollen, dust and other allergens like fresh flowers do. So if you suffer from allergies but still want to enjoy having green plants around your home, these are a great choice for you!

Are Succulent Plants Lucky?

According to Feng Shui, succulent plants are lucky because they look like coins. The coins in the plant symbolize wealth, and because of this, it is believed that keeping them at home will increase your money. They are popular gifts for those who’ve just moved into a new home.

Plants also have a connection with the Earth element, which represents abundance and fertility.

Are Succulent Plants Poisonous?

For Humans

Succulents can be poisonous if eaten by pets or children. While most succulent plants do not cause significant harm when ingested, there are a few varieties that can be dangerous for pets and humans.

Some parts of succulents are poisonous, but not all of them. The level of poison differs depending on the plant.

Most succulents have toxic sap, leaves, or thorns that you need to watch out for. This is a defense mechanism plants use against animals that try to eat them.

The good news is, that humans, don’t typically feed on succulents. So, if you accidentally ingest a small amount of the plant’s toxic substance, it won’t do much harm.

Succulent toxicity isn’t something you should be afraid of. Most of us don’t intentionally eat these plants anyway. Ingesting small amounts won’t kill you, but it can lead to some unpleasant experiences.

For Pets

For most animals, succulents are not poisonous. However, there are a few exceptions. Some plants from the Euphorbia genus (crown of thorns, pencil cactus) and some species of Kalanchoe are highly toxic to cats and dogs. This is because they contain saponins, a bitter, steroid-like compound that can be irritating to the skin. When ingested, saponins can cause serious vomiting and diarrhea in pets.

Succulents also have spines or thorns that can be painful if they scratch your animal’s skin or get stuck in their paws or mouth. If this happens, it’s best to rinse the affected area with warm water and wash the wound with mild soap to remove any toxins that may have gotten in.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists the following succulents as being toxic to dogs:

You can also view beautiful succulents in this video, so you can have an idea of what fits you the best. Enjoy watching!

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