Succulents are plants with plump and fleshy roots, stems, and leaves that store a considerable amount of water.
With over 10,000 species belonging to more than 100 families, they are a common class of plants known for their lovely and changeable shapes and vibrant colors that transform with changes in light and temperature. Succulents are highly adaptable to dry environments, grow extensively, and reproduce easily.
Succulents have the following distinctive characteristics:
1. Succulent and plump: The leaves and stems of succulent plants are thick and can store considerable water and nutrients.
2. Slow growth: Succulents grow slowly and take a long time to mature.
3. Adaptability to a dry environment: Succulents are well-suited for dry climates, with solid drought tolerance that enables them to survive long-term drought conditions.
4. Varied forms: Succulents have many forms, from spiny leaves to spherical or kidney-shaped, and vine-like or shrub-like.
5. Easy to propagate: Succulents are easy to reproduce, and can be multiplied by leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, cuttings, and other methods.
Based on their water storage organs, succulents are classified into four categories:
1. Leafy succulents: These plants mainly rely on their leaves to store water, with highly succulent leaves and low succulence in their stems, and in some species, a certain degree of lignification.
2. Root succulents: Root succulents mainly rely on their roots to store water, which is hypertrophic and can avoid sunlight and herbivores. During the driest season, the leaves and stems fall off to maintain the water in the roots.
3. Stem succulents: These succulents primarily rely on their stems to store water. Their stems contain many water storage cells, a layer of photosynthetic tissue on the surface, and few or no leaves.
4. Other succulents: All parts of the succulent are water-storage organs.
Succulents are not only visually pleasing, but they also offer several benefits. Here are three benefits of raising succulents:
1. Improved sleep: Succulents grow in dry and arid regions, and during the day, they close their pores to conserve water. At night, they open their pores to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which purifies the air and enhances sleep quality.
2. Reduced fatigue: A study once asked people who spend significant time playing games and looking at screens to view succulent plants for three minutes and then measured their visual fatigue, blink times, and other factors. The results showed that looking at succulents can alleviate eye fatigue and decrease blink rates, reducing fatigue.
3. Reduced stress: Placing a pot of succulents indoors can help to reduce stress. Appreciating the green, lively plants can relax the body and elevate the mood, making it easier to manage work-related stress.
Succulents are a common class of plants with several benefits, including improved sleep quality, reduced fatigue, and stress reduction. Understanding the various categories and characteristics of succulents can help to cultivate them effectively and enjoy the numerous benefits they offer.
