Finding the right answer for the “plants that look like succulents but aren’t” on Google is difficult. Today, I want to do it. First, let’s review some facts about succulents:
- Succulents are not a taxonomic category in Phytology, so you can find these species in various botanical genera and families.
- Every plant that can tolerate drought conditions by storing water in its leaves, stems, or roots is called a Succulent. These indoor plants don’t need to be watered frequently and are very sensitive to root rot.
➡ Hence, Succulents don’t belong to a monophyletic group, but due to living in similar environments (drought conditions), have a similar appearance, including fresh and thick leaves, stems or roots to store water.
So, in botanical science, the plants with fresh thick leaves, stems, or roots are succulents, and this similar appearance is because they have evolved to store water. Hence, the existence of “plants that look like succulents but aren’t” does not make sense because why must the mother of nature have to use energy to produce thick leaves or stems without requirements for water storage? Everything in nature has a Logical reason to survive.
However, in horticulture, gardeners separate cacti from succulents. Although in Phytology, cacti belong to the monophyletic genus Cactus and are considered a type of succulent, gardeners put them in different groups.
💡 In conclusion, in horticulture, not Botany, Cacti can be plants that look like succulents but aren’t.