7 Surprising Facts About Succulents

1. What Is a Succculent?

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This one of our facts about succulents might surprise you. “Succulent” is a loose term with no single definition. It refers to any plant with fleshy parts—leaves, stems, or roots—that store moisture to tolerate drought.

Check out the top 10 colorful succulents you should grow.

2. One Succulent Blooms Once a Decade

The century plant’s name might make you think it blooms every 100 years, but it actually blooms every 10 to 15 years.

These seriously cool succulents make great houseplants.

3. Some Gardeners Can Grow Succulents Outdoors

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Some say echeveria is the most attract of all succulents. If you’re in Zones 9 to 11, give this beauty a try in the garden; it’s a classic drought-tolerant roseate succulent. Everyone else? Grow it as a houseplant or in an outdoor container during the warm months.

Learn how to grow a flock of hens and chicks plants.

4. Aloe Vera Attracts Hummingbirds

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There are more than 250 species of aloe plants in the world. In the United States, aloe can generally be grown outdoors only in Florida, California and Texas. Residents of those states might notice hummingbirds stopping at blooming aloe plants for a sip of nectar!

We found the best succulents to attract pollinators.

5. Are Cacti and Succulents the Same?

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Cacti alone make up more than 1,300 species of the succulent group. However, keep this one of our facts about succulents in mind: All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.

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6. Succulents Are Versatile Garden Plants

Succulents are amazingly diverse plants, because they can be used in so many ways throughout landscapes. Try using them in one of these five ways: container, roof gardens, vertical gardens, garden beds and borders, and rock gardens.

Love flowers? Check out the top 10 flashy flowering succulents.

7. Some Succulents Are Cold Hardy

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Living in the north doesn’t mean you can’t have a little desert appeal in the backyard. Cultivars of these three hardy groups are great options for cold-climate gardeners.

• Optunia (prickly pear)
• Agave
• Yucca

Psst! Here’s how you can grow your own succulent container garden.