It may seem like a cactus at first glance, because snake plants have rather hard leaves, as if they were cacti. If you want to receive the answer whether snake plants are cactus or not, you will find it in the explanation that follows.
Snake Plant Is Not a Cactus
Sansevieria or snake plants are succulents. Essentially, it means the leaves retain a great deal of water, just like cacti do. Snake plants are recognized by their long, pointed, upright leaves, which look like snakes, so that’s why they are called snake plants. Green edges and green leaves characterize this plant.
All varieties of snake plants are considered succulent plants. Cactus plants, however, do not belong to this category. Due to the fact that the features they possess are different from the specifications owned by cacti.
Below you will find an explanation of succulent plants as well as differences between succulents and cacti.
Understanding Succulent Plants
Succulent Water Repository
Succulents are characterized by their ability to store water.succulent plant. The stems, leaves, and branches of succulent plants can collect water and store it for the drier months of that year. The leaves of succulents are usually tough. Their internal water reservoir can help them survive droughts. It is crucial for their survival because a lot of succulent plants are from warm or tropical climates found in Africa, South America, and Eastern Asia.
Succulents are available in a wide range of colors and shapes. The one thing they have in common is their ability to conserve water. So, the leaves of snake plants stand upright and are not droopy or leaning because they are full of water.
Succulent Propagation
Many succulent plants can be propagated by cutting their leaves. It is possible to put the cut leaves in water or soil after they have been cut. The mother plant will then produce an offshoot. You can use this method for a variety of plants. You can also grow them alongside the mother plant.
It will take six to eight weeks for the snake plant to grow its own stems if you take a cutting from it. Succulents are therefore popular indoor plants among home growers. Aside from being easy to grow, they do not need to spend a lot of money on new seeds.
Succulent Leaves and Appearances
As well as storing water, succulents are known for their ability to survive brief temperature freezes without being damaged. In some cases, succulent leaves resemble pads, and this is one of the biggest characteristics of succulent plants. Nevertheless, there are some succulent varieties with thin leaves, such as snake plants whose leaves are thinner than the average for succulent plants.
Along with having thick leaves and being able to survive brief temperature freezes, succulent plants are usually short-lived. The snake plant is one of the succulents that grow several feet tall, but there are also succulents that have a wide, bush-like shape. There seems to be an adaptive change aimed at allowing the organism to survive in its native habitat.
Cactus and Succulent Plants Differences
What are the differences between succulents and cactus plants, now that we have explained the characteristics of succulents above? Cacti and succulents are usually used interchangeably. It is important for you to understand, however, that they do not represent the same type of plant categories. It is not a good idea to use the terms succulent and cactus interchangeably since here you will learn the differences between succulents and cactus plants.
Succulents
Succulents, as we mentioned in the previous section of this article, have the ability to save water in their roots, foliage, and branches. There are now more than 50 known plant families that are classified as succulents. Cacti are among these plants. Why are cacti classified as succulents? Cacti can also conserve water, which is why they grow. Therefore, we can conclude that cacti are succulent plants.
Cacti
Succulents are often mistaken for cacti. The reason is that they can contain spines and thorns. However, succulents and cacti differ in one important way. What is it? Does it have to do with its size? Or is it the shape? Cacti and succulents differ by a substance called an areole. Do you know what areoles are? What do you know about it?
Areoles are small, round mounds of flesh. Cacti grow hair, flowers, and leaves. There are areoles on not all succulents, but they can be found on all plants classified as cacti.