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Glam Journal

Whats the difference between a cactus and a succulent

Author

Andrew Henderson

Updated on April 18, 2026

Succulents store water in their leaves, stems or roots and the arms – thus they can survive quite a while without being watered. Cacti have small, round, cushion-like structures called areoles in which flowers and hair can grow.

Which succulents are not cacti?

  • Angelina stonecrop (Sedum rupestre Angelina)
  • Autumn Joy stonecrop (Sedum Autumn Joy)
  • Chocolate Drop stonecrop (Sedum Chocolate Drop)
  • Purple ice plant (Delosperma cooperi)
  • Hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
  • Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)
  • Agave (Agave americana)

Can you plant cactus and succulents together?

Desert cacti, forest cacti, and succulents can all be grown together. They make stunning displays for your houseplant collection. They don’t take a lot of care, but you still need to know what they like and need.

Is Aloe a succulent or a cactus?

The first step in aloe vera plant care is to realize that this plant is a succulent. Like cacti, succulents do best in dry conditions. When growing aloe vera plants, plant them in a cactus potting soil mix or a regular potting soil that has been amended with additional perlite or building sand.

Do succulents need sun?

Succulents love light and need about six hours of sun per day, depending on the type of succulent. Newly planted succulents can scorch in direct sunlight, so you may need to gradually introduce them to full sun exposure or provide shade with a sheer curtain.

How often do you water a cactus?

Generally, cactus plants will need watering every 7 to 10 days for optimal growth during spring, summer, and autumn months. Increase the interval between watering schedules during the plant’s rest or dormant period during winter (approximately every 4 to 6 weeks).

When should succulents be watered?

The most important rule for watering succulents is this: Only water when the soil in the succulents’ growing container is bone dry. We repeat, let the soil dry out completely between waterings. If the soil isn’t crumbly, dry dirt, don’t water it. See, most houseplants want their soil moist at all times.

Do succulents like to be touched?

It is best to avoid touching your succulents unless you know they will react positively. The leaves of a succulent are very delicate, and scratches or other damage to succulent leaves are permanent. Not all succulents have this coating but if yours does, it is best to avoid touching the leaves.

Can I plant aloe vera with succulents?

Aloe vera plants are succulents, so use a well-draining potting mix, such as those made for cacti and succulents. Do not use gardening soil.

Do succulents flower?

Most succulents bloom in spring and summer, but others (like aloes and crassulas) flower in midwinter. … All plants (actually, all living things) want to reproduce, and for plants that means being robust enough to bloom. Because most succulents come from warm, dry climates, they require a lot of light.

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Can succulents grow indoors?

Because of their special ability to retain water, succulents tend to thrive in warm, dry climates and don’t mind a little neglect. This makes them well adapted to indoor growing and ideal for people desiring low-maintenance houseplants.

Do succulents attract mosquitoes?

There is too little water to attract mosquitoes to lay their eggs. You do need to worry about a kitty bowl full of water in the shade yet able to fill when it rains. But not the droplets on succulents. Leaving anything out of doors that can collect water and last for longer than a week is mosquito hatching water.

Do succulents clean the air?

They help you breathe – During the process of photosynthesis, plants release oxygen, however, at night most plants respire like humans, releasing carbon dioxide. … They purify the air – Succulents, like snake plant and aloe vera, are excellent at cleansing the air and removing toxins.

When should succulents be repotted?

It’s best to repot succulents into fresh soil after you purchase them. Another time you’d want to repot your succulents is when they’ve filled up or outgrown the pot they’re in. Often they’ll be “root bound” meaning the roots are filling up the pot and the plant doesn’t have space to grow more roots.

Should you mist succulents?

Full grown succulents don’t actually like to be misted. They thrive in arid climates, so when you mist them, you are changing the humidity around the plant. This can lead to rot as well. Use misting for propagation babes to lightly provide water to their delicate little roots.

How often should you wash succulents?

You should water your succulents every other week during non-winter months when temperatures are above 40 degrees. During the winter time (when temperatures are below 40 degrees) you should only water your succulent once a month because it is dormant during this time. There are a few exceptions to this rule.

Do you water succulents from the top or bottom?

The inch of water trick is a form of bottom watering that mimics the way we water in the greenhouse by flooding tables of plants with water and then allowing them to drain. By watering from the bottom of the pot instead of pouring water into the top, the roots sense the water below and have to reach for it!

Do cactuses need sun?

Cacti and succulents thrive with good light sources, and it is best to place cacti and succulents in a bright place. A south facing position will provide good sunlight. However, be careful to not put them in direct sunlight because the intense light can make the plants turn a yellow colour.

Why is my cactus leaning?

Some of the most common causes of a leaning cactus are inadequate sunlight, overwatering, rot, and pests. In general, cacti are a busy gardener’s dream. They’re pretty low maintenance, and as long as you water them from time to time, you probably won’t need to spare a thought for them.

How long does a cactus live?

In the wild cacti can live for hundreds of years. Indoors they may survive for 10 years or more. The trouble with old ones is that every single knock, scratch or blemish they get stays with them, so they tend to look less appealing as they get older.

Is snake plant a succulent?

Because Sansevieria is a succulent, its leaves are thick in order to store water, much like a cactus. Plants only need watering once every week or two, or whenever the soil feels dry. … If the leaves begin to turn yellow or get soft and mushy at the base, that’s usually a sign of overwatering and poor soil drainage.

Are succulents Cactus?

First off, all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti (say that 10 times fast)! Succulents are known to be moisture packed due to storage of water. Succulents store water in their leaves, stems or roots and the arms – thus they can survive quite a while without being watered.

Are aloes succulents?

Aloe is a large group of succulent plants with rosettes of thick, juicy leaves and bloom spires topped with beautiful clusters of mostly red or yellow hummingbird-attracting flowers. Many popular Aloes tolerate frost or short freezes.

What's so special about succulents?

Succulent plants have a unique adaptation that enables them to tolerate limited watering better than most houseplants. Their thick, fleshy leaves and stems, as well as their enlarged roots, allow them to retain water so that they do not need watering as frequently as other plants. … The leaves pucker or shrink.

Do all succulents have flowers?

Do All Succulents Flower? No. Not all succulent plants flower. Some may take years before they are ready to bloom and some may not flower at all.

Are succulents inside or outside plant?

There are a wide variety of succulents and some of them do well indoors and some do well outdoors. A lot can depend on where you live and what the climate is like. Remember that succulents do not want a lot of moisture and will likely not thrive as well in very humid areas as they will in dry, hot and arid climates.

Where should I plant succulents?

Outdoors they generally need about 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. However, indoors, you’ll want to place your succulents near a window that gets light all day. If this isn’t an option, place your succulents near the brightest window or brightest area of your home or office.

What is a succulent death bloom?

What does a death bloom look like? Death blooms come from the very very center (apex) of succulents like sempervivum, agave and some kalanchoe. If you see a bloom stalk (inflorescence) coming from somewhere else, like in between layers on an echeveria, it is a normal bloom and will not die after blooming.

What do you do with baby succulents?

Once the offsets are half the size of the mother plant, you can cut them off using a pair of pruners. Wait for the cut to callous over. Place them on top of fresh soil, don’t water, place them in a shady, but bright area, and neglect them. Soon enough, they’ll root into the soil and voila!

How do I keep my succulents happy?

  1. Give enough sunlight. Succulents need enough light—at least six hours of full sun per day. …
  2. Water properly. …
  3. Use the right pot and soil mix. …
  4. Don’t forget to fertilize. …
  5. Inspect your plants.

Can you plant succulents in regular potting soil?

Any type of all regular potting soil will work as the base to make your own succulent soil. … Don’t use heavy garden soils, mixes that contain vermiculite, or any type that says it has added moisture control or retains water. Succulents need a well draining potting soil, not one that holds moisture.