Succulent plants have thick, fleshy stems to store water and withstand the dry and unfavorable conditions of their environment. These water reserves allow them to survive for long periods without rain.
Succulent plants have an extraordinary ability to store water due to their internal tissues filled with highly spongy specialized cells. These cells, called aquifer parenchyma, capture and store large amounts of water during rare rainfall, allowing the plant to withstand long periods of drought. The thick, fleshy stems act as natural reservoirs by accumulating water for critical times. And thanks to a thick, waxy cuticle on their surface, they effectively limit water loss through evaporation. Some succulents can even absorb moisture directly from cumulative dew during the night.
Succulent plants thrive in extremely dry places that are not easy to endure. To cope, they develop fleshy tissues capable of storing the water they occasionally accumulate. Their thick skin (the cuticle) limits evaporation and allows them to retain maximum moisture. Some have minimized their surface area exposed to sunlight, for example with tiny leaves, non-existent ones, or transformed into spines. Many of these species have special stomata, most often open only at night; clever for breathing when it’s cooler and conserving water during the intense heat of the day. These plants sometimes even incorporate cells that can swell to keep the precious stored water for as long as possible. All of this creates a remarkable array of little tricks to survive the extreme conditions of desert environments.
Succulents have thick stems that act as built-in water reservoirs. During humid periods, these plants store large amounts of water in their fleshy tissues. When drought arrives, they quietly draw from these reserves. The result: even after weeks without rain, they remain in great shape. This survival strategy enables them to avoid wasting energy constantly searching for water in dry soils. They essentially have their own built-in water bottle directly in their stems! These thick stems also reduce water loss due to their low surface-to-volume ratio, thereby limiting transpiration and conserving precious moisture onboard. Smart plant.
Beneath their thick, waxy skin, the stems of succulent plants hide special cells that store water: the cells of the aquiferous parenchyma. These cells, large, rounded, and filled with juice, resemble small water bladders. They swell during rains to store as much water as possible, then gradually empty during dry periods. Surrounding this water-rich tissue are some strong fibers and a network of vessels, the vascular tissues, which ensure the precise transport of the stored water to other parts of the plant. Finally, on the outside, a thick protective layer called the cuticle drastically limits evaporation.
The fleshy morphology of the stems allows succulent plants to efficiently store water during periods of severe drought, thus avoiding the waste of this precious resource. This ability is a true ecological strategy that aids survival even when conditions become very harsh. Additionally, these thick stems help protect the plant against drastic temperature fluctuations, especially when nights become cool in desert environments. By keeping their water well insulated inside, these plants also provide a valuable reserve of nutrients and water for some animals living in arid environments, such as insects and certain birds. In short, a true oasis on legs (or rather on roots!) for local wildlife that sometimes struggles to find something to drink.
Did you know that there are over 10,000 species of succulents, adapted to a huge variety of climates ranging from scorching deserts to cold, dry mountains?
Succulents can quickly absorb water during rare rains thanks to an extensive shallow root system, allowing them to efficiently utilize even the slightest water supply.
Some succulents have a waxy layer called a cuticle on the outer surface of their epidermis, which reduces water evaporation.
Cacti, which are also succulents, use their thick green stems to carry out photosynthesis in the absence of conventional leaves.
Soft or wilted leaves can indicate an issue with improper watering. This may be due to overwatering, which leads to root rot, or a prolonged lack of watering, which weakens the plant. Properly adjusting the watering often resolves this issue.
It is recommended to use a potting mix specifically designed for succulents, which is more draining than standard potting soils. This helps prevent moisture buildup around the roots and thus reduces the risk of root and stem rot.
Yes, succulents thrive very well indoors, as long as you provide them with enough indirect natural light and avoid overwatering, which could lead to their rotting.
Although all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti. Cacti belong to a specific family that typically has areoles with spines. In contrast, succulents represent a broader category that includes all plants capable of storing water in their fleshy tissues.
No, succulents require little maintenance. They store water in their thick stems and leaves, which makes them resilient and able to endure long periods without regular watering.
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