The Succulent Gardener's Bible: Master The Art Of Growing, Designing, And Caring For Drought-Tolerant Beauties

A plant is considered a succulent when it has specialized tissues that store water, allowing it to survive in arid environments or periods of drought. Here are some characteristics that define a succulent:
- Water-Storing Tissues: The key feature of succulents is their ability to store water in their leaves, stems, or roots. This makes them capable of thriving in dry conditions.
- Thick, Fleshy Leaves or Stems: Most succulents have thick, fleshy, and often swollen leaves or stems that help them retain water. These parts may look plump or fleshy due to the stored moisture.
- Reduced Leaf Surface Area: Many succulents have small or reduced leaves to minimize water loss through transpiration. Some may even have no leaves at all (like cacti), relying on their stems for photosynthesis and water storage.
- Waxy Coating: Some succulents have a waxy or thick cuticle on their leaves and stems, which helps prevent water loss by reducing evaporation.
- Specialized Root Systems: Succulent plants often have shallow, widespread root systems that help them quickly absorb water when it rains, or they may have deep taproots that store water for dry times.
- Adaptation to Harsh Environments: Many succulents are native to regions like deserts, where they've adapted to survive with minimal water and intense sunlight.
Common examples of succulents include aloe vera, agave, jade plants, and cacti. While cacti are a type of succulent, not all succulents are cacti.