Succulents Types

Plants have long been known to provide health benefits when placed in homes. They bring a bit of nature inside and improve your quality of life in many ways. But there is one type of plant that rises above all the rest when it comes to keeping you healthy and happy – the succulent.

Succulents have a unique ability that sets them apart from other houseplants and allows them to bring numerous physical, emotional, and mental health benefits when placed in your home. (And it’s not just your Grandma’s aloe plants, either!) Read on to learn why you should spruce up your space – and your health – with succulents.

The Air You Breathe is Cleaner

It is no secret that polluted air is all around. However, unclean air is not only found in big cities with tons of traffic and factories. It is also found in a place you would least suspect – your home. You may already be aware that plants can help to remove pollution from the air in your home, but did you know that succulents are the best choice for purifying the air in your space?

Unlike other plants that only photosynthesize during the daytime, succulents (and cacti) continue the process of photosynthesis overnight – releasing oxygen into your home 24/7. Because they are constantly taking in carbon dioxide and converting it to oxygen, they are continuously removing toxins from the air around you, leaving you with fresh, purified air.

Two of the best air-purifying succulents that you can add to your home are:

• Aloe plants
• Snake plants

The constant flow of new oxygen into your space introduces a myriad of benefits, including easier breathing and more restful sleep.

Humidity is No Longer an Issue

Most people don’t consider the humidity levels in a room where they are watching television or playing a video game. For many people, humidity is an outdoor consideration more than an indoor one. But there is actually a need for adequate humidity in a home to ensure good health for all inside.

When the humidity is too high in your home, the following can happen:

• Your body can struggle to regulate its temperature.
• The extra moisture can cause fungus, mold, and mildew to grow.
• The wood and furniture in your home can swell or rot.

Meanwhile, if the humidity level in your home is too low, you may experience the following:

• Your skin may begin to dry out, causing dry lips and itching skin.
• Respiratory issues, like wheezing and breathing problems, may arise.
• You may begin to experience fatigue.

According to a study done by the Mayo Clinic, it is recommended that your home’s humidity level be between 30% and 50%. While you can use devices like humidifiers to control the humidity in your home, a much more aesthetically pleasing option is to set out a few succulents and let them work their magic!

One succulent that you can use to increase the humidity levels in your home is the jade plant. If you are looking to decrease your home’s humidity, you can try succulents from the Euphorbia family, like the dragon bone cactus.

You Enjoy Enhanced Focus and Productivity

Today, it’s almost a given that your life is busy and in a constant state of movement. With so many daily distractions, it’s difficult to maintain focus throughout the day. Guess what? Succulents have the amazing ability to help improve your focus and increase your productivity. But how?

You already know that succulents photosynthesize during the day and the night, resulting in a steady flow of clean oxygen in whatever space they are placed in. This process increases the amount of oxygen in your home and allows you to breathe in more oxygen during your day. 

More oxygen in your lungs means more oxygen goes to your brain. 

A well-oxygenated brain is a more energized brain that results in:

• better concentration
• heightened focus
• more productivity
• improved memory

You can place an agave or elephant bush in your home office to ensure that your brain stays healthy and your days stay productive.

You Can Manage Stress Better

One of the most frequently suggested ways to de-stress is to go outside and get some fresh air. However, it’s not always possible to step outside and enjoy the air because of obligations like work and the unpredictability of weather. But succulents allow you to bring that “fresh air” inside your home, where you can enjoy it whenever you’d like.

Often, indoor air is considered “clean.” Unfortunately, most air inside a home has a “suboptimal balance of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, especially in enclosed rooms with poor ventilation.” If you suffer from stress or anxiety, this “suboptimal” air in your home is not helping you. 

Placing succulents around your home introduces more clean oxygen into your body; that increase in oxygen helps you maintain a more peaceful emotional state, therefore lessening your stress levels. In fact, veterans that have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been “treated” with oxygen-rich air to help them manage their disorder.

Giving yourself cleaner air to breathe also increases the serotonin levels in your body, which balances your mood and increases your happiness. You can treat your brain and your body with this Haworthia succulent.

Succulents Even Fight Sickness

Another incredible benefit of succulents is that they help prevent sickness. It may seem odd to think that a plant can keep you feeling well, but the idea is not that far-fetched. When you take into account a succulent’s ability to increase oxygen levels and manage humidity levels in a home, it’s rather easy to see how these miracle plants can aid in your physical well-being.

When you are living in a home that is full of polluted air or experiencing humidity issues, you can quickly succumb to many ailments, such as:

• Dry, itchy skin and lips
• Coughing and wheezing
• Asthma flare-ups 
• Colds and allergies
• Sore throats

Additionally, the lack of fresh air contributes to higher stress levels in your body, leaving you even more susceptible to illness. (Wouldn’t it be easier to invest in this adorable succulent garden to better both your health and your mood?)

In the 1990s, the Agricultural University of Norway conducted a controlled study on the link between sickness in workers and the presence (or lack thereof) of plants in their office area. They recorded a 25% decrease in illnesses reported by workers who added plants to their work area. The study also reported that the workers with plants in their area experienced less fatigue and better concentration than those without plants in their area.

You Recover from Illness and Injury Quickly 

Not only can succulents decrease your chances of getting sick, but they can also help you recover from illnesses and injuries more quickly. And it all goes back to the extra oxygen that these plants release into your home.

Just like a well-oxygenated brain will result in better focus, well-oxygenated cells will result in faster healing – so much so that oxygen therapy is often used to help athletes recover from their injuries. 

• When your body is healing from an injury, damaged cells must be replaced with new ones.
• Likewise, when your body is healing from an illness, healthy cells in your body must fight to deplete the sickly ones. 

The oxygen you breathe goes straight into your bloodstream, feeding these new and healthy cells. The more fresh oxygen you breathe, the faster (and better) your cells can heal you. You can purchase this Donkey Tail succulent to start benefiting from extra oxygen today.

Succulents Have Many Medicinal Uses

You’re probably wondering how there could be more health benefits that succulents can bring into your home, but there are. Succulents passively give you all the benefits listed above, but there are more advantages of having succulents in your house, too. Many succulents themselves have medicinal properties (like the famous aloe plant)!

Here are some succulents and their medicinal properties and uses:

Medical Disclaimer: Please do not use this information to treat any illness or injury before consulting a doctor. 

In Conclusion

One thing is clear – succulents are the best houseplants for your overall health and well-being. From purifying the air that you breathe to soothing a wretched sunburn, these beautiful and beneficial plants are a wonderful addition to any house.

Many people often confuse euphorbia for cactus. Well, we can’t blame them because many cactus plants look like euphorbia and vice versa. It’s usually hard to tell the difference between the two plants by just looking at them.

Some Euphorbias possess cacti-like features like branching arms, pokery parts, and ribs. You’ll even get more confused if you go to nurseries, as many euphorbias are sold as cacti there. However, there are distinctive features that differentiate the two plants. These are usually physical features such as the presence of areoles, flowers, leaves, spines, milky sap, and more.

Read through to understand the distinguishing characteristics between cactus and euphorbia. Most of these differences are in their physical features, which you can easily identify.

Euphorbia vs. Cactus: The Similarities

Euphorbia and cactus have many similarities that make many people confuse them for each other. Both plants have succulent stems that help them store water in the stem tissues for future use. These features, as well as the lack of leaves or small leaves, make these plants survive in arid conditions.

Euphorbia and cactus also have thorns and spines, respectively. These features work in place of leaves but are also a form of defense mechanism for the plants, defending them against animals that would want to eat or wound them.

The reason behind these similarities is due to convergent evolution. Both plants grow in similar conditions and hence react the same way to the climate. However, they still have different origins. As a result of their environment, the plants develop some striking features that help them survive and thrive in the climates they grow in. Some of these features include branching stems, thick stems to store water, and fibrous roots for water absorption.

But even though the plants adopted the same survival tactics and have similar features, they’re not of the same type. There are still many differences between the euphorbia and cactus.

Euphorbia vs. Cactus: The Differences

You can only differentiate cactus from euphorbia by knowing their physical characteristics. Well, most of these characteristics are not visible, but once you know where to look, you’ll understand the differences. Here are the distinguishing features between euphorbia and cactus plants.

The Areoles in Cacti

The areolas are the fuzzy and cushion-like dots where the spines, flowers, and stems of cacti plants grow. The areoles are found in all cacti species and are either white or yellow. Even if they’re not visible from a distance, you can still notice them if you take a closer look.

Euphorbia and other plants don’t have the areoles. So, if you confuse any plant with cacti, you have to look closely. If you don’t see the presence of the areoles, then that plant is not cacti. The same goes for the euphorbia plant.

The Thorns

Both cacti and euphorbia species feature some sort of modified stems that come in the form of thorns. For euphorbia, their thorns come in either a pair or single. These thorns are very thick and form part of the stem. If you happen to remove the thorns and leave the branch, you’ll end up with a wounded euphorbia plant.

Cacti thorns come in the form of modified leaves called spines. The spines grow in circles but can also take other shapes. But despite the shapes they take, cactus spines always emerge from the areolas. You can easily remove a spine from a cacti plant and not cause any wound. Some cacti spines are even known to break off the plant easily and penetrate the skin of animals.

While this is another important distinctive characteristic, you must also understand that not all cacti have spines, and not all euphorbias grow thorns. So, for those thornless euphorbias and spineless cacti, you have to look at a different distinguishing feature.

The Flowers

Another essential factor that you can use to distinguish cactus from euphorbia is the blooms. Cacti bloom in beautiful and colorful flowers featuring important parts like petals and stamens. Their flowers are usually vibrant and appealing and can be used as gifts. Like the spines, cactus flowers also grow from the cushion-like areole. The flowers carry both stamens and pistils. This means many cactus plants are self-pollinated.

As for euphorbia, their flowers are usually small and yellow. These flowers have no petals. These flowers are not as flamboyant as those of cactus and, at times, can go unnoticed. They usually produce unisexual flowers, which can be only stamens or only pistils. This means euphorbia plants can’t self-pollinate like their counterparts.

In some euphorbia species like the crown of thorns, the flowers are surrounded by modified leaves known as very colorful bracts.

The Leaves

There are spiny, cactus-like euphorbias that produce leaves. These leaves are insignificant and fall off seasonally. They might fall off on sunny days, so they don’t cause water loss.

Cacti, on the other hand, have modified leaves called spines. Some cacti also have stems that may look like leaves. However, cacti lack leafy leaves. There are exceptional ones like the Pereskia and Opuntia that have leaves. But even these ones lose their leaves as they grow.

The Genius and Species

Euphorbia doesn’t exist in families like the cactus plant. It’s only a single genus in the family of Euphorbiaceae. The genus is known as spurges and exists in 2000 different species, with some used as ornaments in homes.

Cacti are available in a big family called the Cactaceae. They are available in up to 175 genera with up 2000 species. You’ll find popular genera such as Cereus, Echinocactus, and Opuntia. Most cacti are also used as houseplants.

The Milky Sap

Another way to differentiate euphorbia from cactus is to cut it. Euphorbia plants produce a milky sap from their stems when you hurt them. The sap is not too friendly to animals and humans as it’s sticky and toxic. Often, it can irritate the eyes or skin if it comes into contact with them. It can also cause severe inflammation when it comes in contact with your body. The sap is mostly white, except for that of E.abdelkuri, which is usually yellow.

For cacti, you’ll get a clear sap that doesn’t irritate the skin and is not sticky. However, some cacti still produce white milky sap like that of euphorbia. An excellent example of such is the Mammillaria.

The Evolution

Cacti and euphorbias evolved differently, even though they have almost the same features. Cacti are found in North, South, and Central America. These plants evolved in the New World, even though other species such as Rhipsalis baccifera are native to the Old World.

Euphorbias are succulents that evolved in the Old World. They mostly evolved in Madagascar, Africa, and the drier regions of Asia.

Both of these plants are mostly found in their native growth areas. An exception is the Opuntia cactus which escaped from its natural habitat and now grows as a weed in different parts of the world.

Euphorbia vs. Cactus: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Euphorbia Plant?

Like cactus, euphorbia is not a single plant but a genus that consists of up to 2000 species. They consist of a single family of Euphorbiaceae called the spurge. Many euphorbia species are popular as houseplants because they require minimal care and can do with minimal watering.

Is Euphorbia Poisonous to Humans and Animals?

When you cut euphorbia, it produces a highly toxic sap that can irritate the eyes and the skin when it comes into contact. If you’re going to cut euphorbia, you should do it carefully. To be safer, make sure you wear protective gloves and eyewear protection. You should also keep euphorbia away from pets such as cats.

Are Cactus and Euphorbia Succulents?  

Both cactus and euphorbia are succulents. However, not all euphorbias are succulent; not all cacti are succulents. Cacti are closely related to most succulent plants like they are to euphorbia. But still, don’t assume that all cacti or all euphorbia are succulents. An excellent example of non-succulent euphorbia is poinsettias. There are also many examples of non-succulent cacti across the globe.

Summary

Cacti and euphorbia indeed have some similarities that can confuse even expert gardeners. To make this even worse, many plant nurseries sell euphorbia as cactus. If you’re planning to add euphorbia or cacti to your garden, it’s essential to know the difference so you learn to differentiate them.

Check the physical characteristics such as lack of leaves, the presence of areoles, and flamboyant flowers to identify cacti. Once you know these features, you should also know that euphorbia is the exact opposite.

Disclaimer: The author is not a medical doctor or veterinarian. The information presented is purely to share our experience and for entertainment purposes. As always, check with a doctor and/or veterinarian before making any health or nutrition decisions and consult with a doctor and/or veterinarian regarding any question or problem that you have. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any activities or ideas from this site.

Whether you are a dog owner who loves succulents, or you are a succulent extraordinaire who loves dogs, one day you will ask yourself if succulents are poisonous to dogs?

Some types of succulents are poisonous to dogs and if ingested, they may cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and in rare cases, death. If you know the difference between the toxic and non-toxic plants, you can easily enjoy their therapeutic benefits, while keeping your four-legged friends safe.

Keep reading to learn more about succulents, which ones are toxic to dogs, and what you should keep in mind if you have a dog and a succulent in your house.

Succulents Poisonous to Dogs

Succulents are low maintenance plants that are an attractive home décor option. They are also believed to purify the air, improve humidity, and increase oxygen levels in the house. But sometimes accidents can quickly ruin what they were meant to do. 

So, first things first, let us talk about the plants that can harm your dog, what they look like and what signs of poisoning you should watch for.

For more information visit ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and Pet Poison Helpline for a database of toxic and non-toxic plants.

Things to Know About Succulents and Dogs

Sometimes (unfortunately), things go backwards. Your dog would eat a succulent, and you may not even know that he did, let alone its name. It could be a plant that your dog triumphantly ate on a walk, or your spouse decided to water your aloe plant and left it in your dog’s reach. Let us talk about these unexpected scenarios and how you can be prepared for them. 

Why would your dog eat succulents anyway?

Dogs will be dogs. They would eat succulents for the same reason they would roll in the mud or eat:

• A box of pudding
• A $100 bill
• An umbrella 
• Another dog’s poop.

However, it is not uncommon that dogs would be attracted to succulents because of their smell, taste, and texture. Often, they would have an upset stomach, and to get rid of the discomfort, your fido friends would eat plants to induce a bowel movement or throw up. Sometimes dogs are deficient in certain nutrients and look for uncommon (in people’s view) foods to supply those.

Toxic and Non-Toxic Succulents

Now that you know that some succulents are toxic, you may decide that you do not want them at home if they are jeopardizing the health and life of your dog. If you are still looking for a natural succulent in your home, but don’t want to worry that it can hurt your dog, here are some beautiful options that will still brighten your home and purify the air without the toxicity.

To replace your Aloe Vera, that is harmful to dogs, when ingested, choose another succulent with long spiky triangular leaves like Haworthia. The look is similar, but the latter would not hurt your dog.

If you want to replace String of Pearls, which is toxic to dogs, try Burro’s Tail. It has lush green leaves that are just a little bigger than the pea-looking leaves of String of Pearls.

If you like colorful succulents like Kalanchoe, substitute them for a vivid Sempervivum Red Lion. 

Signs of Succulent Poisoning in Dogs

If your dog swallowed one of the succulents on the toxic list, you should watch for the following signs:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea 
• Weakness 
• Labored breathing
• Lethargy
• Tremors
• Seizures

If your dog eats a succulent and gets sick, keep these tips in mind:

• Take your pet away from the plant
• Check if your pet is breathing normally 
• Take a sample of the succulent
• Take notes of symptoms in your dog to report to the vet 
• Do NOT try to feed your dog
• Do NOT induce vomiting without talking to your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline 
• Call for Help

You are a new pet owner, or you just have never encountered a situation like this? Here are a few suggestions for who to call:

• Your Vet.  Your vet is prepared to give you advice on plant poisoning. She will also know your dog’s health history and will take that into consideration to prescribe the best plan to action. If you end up at the vet’s office, keep in mind that your dog’s adventurous taste may cost you between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars.
• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). You can contact the Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 and describe the symptoms of your dog. ASPCA may be able to give you some tips on how to help your dog recover faster from plant poisoning.
• Animal Poison Control Center. Call the Center at 855 764-7661. You may want to write the phone number and put it on the fridge, so you have it handy in case the unexpected happens.

Can My Dog Die if She Eats a Succulent?

Most often, poisonous plants cause reactions ranging from mild nausea to tiredness. If your dog eats a large quantity of a toxic succulent, this may lead to death, but that would be extremely rare. The chances are your dog will be fine in a couple hours. 

Tips for Pet Owners who are Succulent Lovers 

Good news is that you do not need to give up your succulent or your dog because you have heard that these two may not be compatible. You can still have both if you stay informed.

Here are a few tips that would help you enjoy your plants, and keep your dog safe:

Know What Plant You Have

If you already have a succulent, but you do not know what it is, do some research. You can go to a nearby nursery and ask the staff or check out the garden literature in the nearest library, ask a neighbor who loves plants, or simply search the topic on the Internet. Be resourceful and proactive to gather as much information as possible. You will learn something new, that can help you take better care of both your household plants and your pets. 

Know What Plant You Buy

When you are buying a succulent, ask the shop assistant if it is poisonous to dogs. Most nurseries and flower shops would have that information handy and will gladly provide it to you. They want happy and returning customers after all.

Keep Toxic Plants Away from Dogs

 You want your plants in visible places, so you can enjoy them and take advantage of their health benefits. Most likely your dog will inhabit the same room where you have the plants. Try putting the succulents in higher and inaccessible for your pets places to prevent them from eating them.

Communicate with Others in the House that Succulents Poise Risks to Dogs 

Talk to your family about the harm of succulents to dogs and set rules on who and how to take care of the plants to minimize your dog’s exposure to them.

Summary

Taking care of your succulent and dog is not rocket science. You do not need to choose one or the other. Be informed, use common sense, and the chance of getting your dog poisoned will be minimal. If you are not willing to take the risk of harming your dog with a poisonous plant at home, investigate buying some artificial plants that look like succulents, and that should do the trick.

Disclaimer: The author is not a medical doctor or veterinarian. The information presented is purely to share our experience and for entertainment purposes. As always, check with a doctor and/or veterinarian before making any health or nutrition decisions and consult with a doctor and/or veterinarian regarding any question or problem that you have. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any activities or ideas from this site.

Succulents are popular, low-maintenance houseplants that add greenery to any space.  Consuming too much of any plant is not recommended for cats, there are certain succulent plants that are more toxic than others.  Cat owners must know exactly what kind of succulents they have in their home.  

There are succulent plants that can cause severe upset to a cat’s gastrointestinal tract.  Some succulents may cause minor sickness, while others pose a host of serious issues for cats.  With many different types of succulents, you need to know if your succulents are toxic or non-toxic to your cat.

Some succulent plants are non-toxic to cats.  But with so many different types of succulents, which ones are poisonous to cats?  Read on to learn about popular succulents that are harmful to your cats and how to keep cats away from houseplants.  

Poisonous Succulent Plants to Keep Away from Cats

The list of poisonous plants is constantly increasing.  Below is a list of some popular succulent plants that are harmful to cats.  

These are just a few succulent plants that are poisonous to your cat.  Know what kind of succulent you have and if its type is harmful to cats.  

Common Symptoms Cats May Display

There are certain symptoms that are commonly displayed in cats.  For example, the famous aloe vera succulent has saponin components that cause diarrhea, vomiting and makes them lethargic.  A stomach problem would be a sure sign your cat has consumed a harmful plant.  

Another symptom to look for would be irritation on their skin.   Watch for a change in their behavior, like constant scratching and licking.  If there are rashes, any visible discoloration in their skin would be a cause for concern. 

Keep Your Succulent Plants and Your Cat Safe

Your cat is naturally curious and may want to explore your succulent plants.  They may want to chew at the leaves or dig in the soil.  Make sure to check with your veterinarian during your cat’s check-up visits.  They may be allergic to certain types of succulents in your home.  

What To Do If Your Cat Ingests a Poisonous Succulent?

Cats are inquisitive and independent animals.  A pretty, succulent plant can be tempting for cats, and it is normal behavior for them to want to play or eat them.   While not all succulent plants are poisonous, cats still shouldn’t consume these.  

If your cat does ingest a poisonous succulent, you should contact your local veterinarian.  It is better to contact them as soon as you believe your cat has ingested one of these succulents.  If you are told to bring your cat to the veterinarian, it helps to also bring a piece of the plant and know the plant’s name for reference. 

A complete list of poisonous succulents and other plants can be found on ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s website. Taking your pet to the local veterinarian or contacting them first is the best thing you can do for your feline friend to ensure they receive proper care.

Non-Poisonous Succulent Plants to Cats

Succulent plants are popular due to their beauty and low maintenance. Luckily, some beautiful succulents are non-poisonous to cats.  Listed below are a few succulent plants that are cat-friendly and safe to have in your home.  

• Burro’s Tail
• Christmas Cactus
• Echeveria
• Hens and Chickens or Houseleeks
• Ponytail Palm
• Zebra Haworthia

These plant options are easy to maintain, which is one of the reasons succulents are so popular.  Plants like opuntia succulents are prickly, which can be a natural deterrent for cats to stay away.  Cats may be tempted to play with these plants, but you won’t have to worry about it being fatal.  

Keeping Your Cat Away from Succulent Plants

Even if your succulents are non-poisonous to your cat, you may not want them to play with your plants.  There are ways to keep cats out of your plants but not compromise having your favorite succulents in your home.

Use a Safe Spray as Repellent 

While training your cat is a good option, making your plant undesirable to your cat can work as well.  Cats are not big fans of citrus.  They do not like the taste or smell, so spray your succulent with water and squeeze juice from:  

• Lime
• Lemon 
• Orange

Another natural repellent is to mix your water with lavender or garlic to help deter them from nibbling on your succulent plants.  In addition to homemade repellents, many store brands can be used as a deterrent for cats.  Keeping them away from these succulent plants means your cat is staying safe.

Cover the Soil So Your Cat Can’t Dig

If you have a plant that has soil exposed, consider covering the soil with a breathable surface.  Using a breathable fabric, like burlap, and cover soil.  Spray with a natural citrus repellent. 

Place Succulent Plants Out of Your Cat’s Reach

As a cat owner, you may have to do some rearranging to your space to best accommodate your cat.  While cats tend to be excellent leapers, find out of reach places around your home to place those succulent plants.  

• Hanging Plants – Decorate your home with hanging plants that will still give a touch of greenery but stays out of your cat’s reach.
• Plant Terrariums – Display your succulents in a small or large terrarium.  Whatever the style, it will keep your succulents covered and inaccessible to your feline.
• Wall Planters – Have beautiful succulent plants high out of reach of your cat to avoid any harm.  Your home will be well-decorated.  Most importantly, your cat will be safe from consuming any poisonous plants.
• Wall Pallets – These are a unique display for your succulents that can be placed high up on your wall, inaccessible to your cat.

These different options should all be placed out of reach from your cat.  Hang your succulent plants high enough that your cat cannot reach them.  For the terrariums, make sure they are displayed in a location where your cat cannot knock them over.   

Make Sure Your Cat Litter is Well-Maintained

In addition to using repellents and ensuring you have non-poisonous succulent plants in your home, there are other factors that can help keep your cat away from your plants.  Start with maintaining a clean litter box.  Cats are known as clean pets and for this many cat owners appreciate owning one.  If the litter isn’t well-maintained, they may dig in the potting soil as if it was their new litter box.  

Have Litter Boxes Accessible for Your Cat

Make sure you not only have a clean litter box but a litter for as many cats as you may own.  To keep your cat from digging in plants, ensure they have easy access to litter boxes.  If you have 1 cat, then you should have 2 litters.  For however many cats you may have, make sure there is 1 more litter box for use.

Give Your Cat Their Own Plant

There are cat-friendly grass planters and other types of plants that are made just for cats.  A grass planter is a perfect distraction and will have your cat playing hours.  There are DIY planters, just make sure the type of plant is cat friendly.  Cat grass or an inside cat garden can provide hours of fun for your cat.   

There are some popular plant toys for cats:

• Catnip
• Scratching post
• Cat tree

Making your home safe for your cat is important.  Providing a safe plant for your cat will distract them from getting into your favorite succulents.  

The popularity of succulent plants is a thrill that won’t lose steam any time soon. What with amateurs jumping on the bandwagon to try their hand in gardening? However, if your knowledge of succulents is limited, you will be surprised to note a rare group of succulents, some with unusual features. These don’t mature quite easily and may fail to grow roots or even propagate. In contrast to the popular indoor and outdoor plants like Burro’s Tail, Flaming Katy, Aeonium, and Agave that can thrive on neglect, some of the uncommon succulents require a little attention to thrive.

So what are the unusual types of succulents? There about sixty family plants that can be categorized as succulents. Unusual succulents are termed to thanks to their uniqueness in growth, size, shape and maturity.  The term rare succulents came about not because they are unavailable but because they were difficult to grow, propagate or even produce roots at a certain point. Some of the uncommon types of succulents include the following:

1.Pig’s Ear Plant( Cotyledon orbiculata)

2. Plover Eggs

3. Aeonium haworthii ‘kiwi’

4. Graptoveria ‘Topsy Debbie’

5. Pebbled Tiger Jaws

6. Mexican Hens and Chicks

7. Baseball plant

8. Kalanchoe rhombopilosa

This article will take a look at each of these unusual types of succulents. It will also consider their characteristics, origins, and ideal conditions for growth.

1. Pig’s Ears Plant( Cotyledon orbiculata)

This plant, also called round-leafed navel-wort, is native to the Arabian Peninsula and South Africa. The name Pig’s Ears came about because its fleshy grey-green leaves resemble a swine’s ear. The plant can grow up to 4.3 feet or 1.3 meters in height. Its small and bell-shaped leaves are coated with a whitish substance that helps the succulent to reflect sunlight and conserve moisture. Depending on the variety, this succulent can have either orange-red or, in rare varieties, yellow leaves.

To care for Pig’s Ear, plant it in a dry space, whether indoors or in the garden. You can also put it on hanging baskets, pots, window baskets, and any suitable container. Even though it can do well in partial shades, a sunny location that mimics its natural habitat is ideal. Before watering your plant, ensure the soil is well-draining. Rotting is a common problem, not to mention that snails and slugs make the plant their favorite playground. If possible, use a snail trap or a slug bait to get rid of them.

2. Plover Eggs Plant

This succulent with pudgy silvery-green leaves dotted with purplish speckles is native to South Africa. Its scientific name is Adromischus cooperi from the family Crassulaceae, but the name Plover Egg Plant is used because the leaves have a mottled appearance. You can see the copper marks on the leaves against the green leaves. When mature, it stands at 4 inches or 10 centimeters tall, with delicate, sky-facing flowers on a slender stem. The  Plover Eggs Plant is known to be a slow-growing succulent.

The propagation of this succulent is possible either by seeds, leaves, or cuttings. If the species drops off its leaves, you can simply place it against the side of the container, and it will grow into a new plant. However, you can also cut the leaves using a camping knife. For planting purposes, fill the container with gritty sand before adding humus. The sand ensures that the water will drain. Every month, feed it with a cactus fertilizer for optimum growth.

3. Aeonium haworthii ‘kiwi’

This plant is also known as Kiwi Verde, Aeonium Kiwi, or simply Kiwi. Its origin is a mystery, and people believe it could be a hybrid of Aeonium haworthii from the Canary Islands. With yellow and green variegated and spoon-shaped leaves, this succulent is surely a beauty to look at when fully grown. The edges have a tinge of rose-red. Under the right conditions, it can grow to as high as 2 feet.

To grow it successfully, water it under excessively dry conditions only in well-drained soil, preferably every two to three weeks. The kiwi Verde can be propagated, but for you to achieve that, make sure you do so from healthy leaves only. Use a sharp knife or scissors to do so and let it callous for five days, if not a week, before planting.

4. Graptoveria ‘Topsy Debbie’

Another unique succulent is a hybrid of Topsy turvy and Debbie, all from the Crassulaceae family. The plant is also known as Lilac spoons because of its color. It has thick, spoon-shaped leaves in seamless rosettes. When mature, this plant can grow up to 15 centimeters tall and produces flowers in Spring.

If you plant it in a container, mix sand, grit, topsoil. Add humus for optimum growth. Besides, it needs the full sun, so when you plant it indoors, ensure you move it with the sun.  Shrivelled leaves or a finger that goes several inches into the soil means you need to water.

5. Pebbled Tiger Jaws

This succulent, native to South Africa, was named so because of its intimidating, fang-shaped leaves. It has also been named Shark jaws and Faucaria tuberculosis. Interestingly,  the Pebbled Tiger Jaws is quite harmless and soft to the touch despite the spikes. It is no wonder that the Royal Horticultural Society awarded it the Award of Garden Merit based on its performance in the United Kingdom.

The Pebbled tiger jaws has fleshy leaves that are triangular and produce bright yellow flowers during cooler months. When fully grown, it stands to a height of 15 centimeters, or 6 inches tall.

6. Mexican Hens and Chicks

The fact that this succulent is native to Mexico has seen it attract such names as the Mexican gem, the Mexican snowball, and White Mexican rose. The term hens and chicks is used thanks to the mother plant that produces numerous tiny baby offsets that surround its base. It is a perennial evergreen succulent belonging to the genus echeveria and Crassulaceae family.

Mexican Hens and Chicks grows up to 4 inches or 10 centimeters tall when mature. Its leaves are pale green and fleshy.  It has long pink stalks and flowers. The flowers with yellow tips appear during Spring and winter. To propagate the plant, you can use either the offsets, leaves, or stem cuttings. These are cut carefully using a sharp razor blade.

7. Baseball plant

If you were wondering about its name, the Baseball plant, also known as Euphorbia obesa, has a shape that resembles a ball. It grows wildly in arid regions in the Cape Province of South Africa.  The succulent has become popular as a houseplant since its discovery in the 1800s, for they have thanks to their unique shape and low maintenance requirements.

The Baseball plant can have a diameter of  6 to 15 centimeters. Its diameter usually depends on age.   When the green succulent is exposed to direct sunlight, either red or purple areas are visible.

You can grow the Baseball plant alone or choose to grow it together with other succulents. When doing so, avoid moving the plant because it easily gets stressed, leading to poor health. It is unnecessary to use fertilizer, but cactus food will be ideal when tempted to use it. Use it only once at the onset of growth.

8.  Kalanchoe Rhombopilosa

This darling of collectors is also named Pies of Heaven because the leaves have an almost triangular shape, just like a pie. It is native to Itampolo in southwest Madagascar. When fully grown, this succulent can stand to a height of 10 to 30 centimeters on its silvery stem.

The grey-green leaves are mottled and pinched at the edges. The Kalanchoe usually peaks during Spring and Autumn. However, they are dormant during summer. It is during Spring that the succulent is ideal for propagation. The flowers are usually small and greenish-yellow with red lines. As an ideal container succulent, the Pie requires more water during winter.

These unusual types of succulents are a great addition to any garden or home as they add both personality and distinction. Taking care of these succulents is a good way of expanding your knowledge on them as a whole as they are both fascinating and diverse. Getting an unusual succulent and caring it to maturity is a source of pride for any succulent enthusiast. While there are tens of other succulents with unique characteristics, these top the list, and it also helps that they can be grown indoors.