Succulents are plants with thick, fleshy, juicy stems and leaves, water-storage adaptations for life in arid or rocky environments. The cactus family (Cactaceae) includes some 2000 species, most of which are succulents. Gardeners prize cacti and other succulents for their curious, often grotesque, shapes and their ease of cultivation, many requiring little more than full sun, well drained soil and an occasional watering.
