Succulents and Cacti

Succulents store water. Cacti are a specific family of succulents, but many succulents are not cacti.

Main Kinds

Kind	Examples	Key care
Rosette succulents	Echeveria, aeonium, sempervivum	Strong light, airy mix, careful watering
Stem succulents	Euphorbia, stapelia, cactus	Bright light, dry rest, excellent drainage
Leaf succulents	Aloe, haworthia, gasteria	Bright filtered light, dry between waterings
Trailing succulents	String of pearls, sedum, burro’s tail	Bright light, shallow roots, gentle handling
Caudiciforms	Desert rose, ponytail palm, dioscorea	Swollen trunk or root, seasonal watering
Cacti	Opuntia, mammillaria, cereus	High light, mineral mix, dry cool rest for many

Common Failure Pattern

Succulents fail indoors when they receive too little light and too much water. Stretching, pale color, soft leaves, and blackened stems usually mean light and watering are out of balance.