Cacti & Succulents

SUCCULENTS

Succulents are plants with parts that are thicker and fleshier than the rest of the plant, able to store water so they can survive harsh conditions such as drought.

These water stores are mainly found in their stems and leaves.
Thanks to their unusual, striking appearance, succulents are popular ornamental plants that will make your space stand out!

Succulents are extremely hardy and can cope in areas with harsh weather, such as high temperatures or even heavy rain.

Succulents include plants from around 60 families, such as:

Cacti (Cactaceae)
Agaves (Agavoideae)
Aizoaceae
Stonecrops (Crassulaceae)

The most popular and representative succulents are aloe and agave.

What is aloe?

Aloe is a remarkable genus of more than 500 species of succulent flowering plants. Its best-known species is Aloe vera, which is grown as the main source of the aloe gel used in skincare, for example to soothe dry or sun-exposed skin.

Aloe species:

Most aloe species have thick, fleshy leaves, and their flowers come in a wide range of colours, including yellow, orange, red and pink. Aloes are often grown as ornamental plants that look wonderful in gardens and pots.

The most popular aloe species are:

African aloe (Aloe africana)
Lace aloe (Aloe aristata)
Short-leaved aloe (Aloe brevifolia)
Quiver tree (Aloe dichotoma)
Aloe corallina
Aloe inermis
Tiger aloe (Aloe variegata)
Spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla)

You can find Aloe vera in our shop, read more about it and buy it here.

What is agave?

Agave comes from the Americas and is known for its succulent, drought-loving species with tough, fleshy, usually sword-shaped leaves.

Plants in this genus are perennials and take many years to mature and produce their beautiful flowers.
Agave thrives mainly in tropical regions, as it loves strong sunshine and high temperatures.

In recent years agave has become very popular in Greece, as its syrup is seen as one of the healthier natural sweeteners.

CACTI

The word cactus comes from the ancient Greek word “kaktos”, meaning “spiny plant”.
Cacti belong to the Cactaceae family and come from North and South America, although some species also thrive in Africa.

They stand out for their striking, original appearance and their great hardiness.

Cacti vs succulents: what’s the difference?

The paradox is that all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti!

The key feature that sets cacti apart is their very tough skin and the fact that they usually have no leaves: photosynthesis takes place entirely in the stem. Other succulents, unlike cacti, store water in their leaves, so they can go a long time without watering. Finally, cacti have small, woolly bumps (areoles) from which their flowers and shoots emerge.

The best-known cacti you will come across are the prickly pear and the saguaro.

The prickly pear cactus

The prickly pear is one of the oldest cactus species and can reach up to five metres tall.
It comes from Central and South America and is very common in Greece and Cyprus. It is a very hardy cactus: thanks to its tough skin it stores a lot of water, so it can go a long time without watering.

This cactus is known for its small spines and the striking green, yellow and red colours of its fruit. Prickly pears are rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Other names:

Indian fig, Barbary fig, and “tuna” in Spanish.

You can find the prickly pear cactus in our shop and buy it directly from this page: Prickly pear cactus

The saguaro cactus

The saguaro is especially popular, as it is considered the largest cactus in the world!

It can reach 14 metres tall. Like the prickly pear, it bears edible fruit, which is rare and very expensive.

The saguaro is known for its beautiful white and yellow flowers, which usually appear from spring to early summer. Its fruit, which is particularly sweet, ripens mainly in midsummer, towards late June.

You can find the saguaro cactus in our shop and buy it directly from this page: Saguaro cactus

In our shop you will find a wide range of striking cacti and succulents, ideal for decorating your home or workplace – and a smart gift idea for someone you love!

Caring for cacti and succulents

Cacti and succulents are very easy plants that need little care and attention.

Light
Most cacti and succulents love light and need very good lighting to thrive. However, avoid harsh direct sun, as it can cause scorching and changes in the plants’ colour.

Temperature
Cacti and succulents are very hardy and can withstand both cold and summer heatwaves. In both cases, it is important that the plants get good air flow.

Water
Succulents and cacti need little watering. Their growing season runs mainly from spring to autumn, and they take a short rest in winter. During the growing season, cacti should be watered at least once a week. In winter, water less often, and only when the compost has dried out completely.

Fertiliser
Although cacti and succulents do not need many nutrients, adding a little liquid fertiliser when you water – especially in the summer months – helps them grow faster and flower.

You can buy liquid cactus fertiliser directly from our shop on this page: Cactus fertiliser