Is Aloe Vera Succulent or Cactus? What’s reality-Let’s prove

Is aloe vera succulent, a cactus or both? Aloe vera common houseplant looks like it belongs to the cactus family but its true nature reveals some surprising differences.

Here I shared what’s the difference between cactus and succulents, why people call aloe vera a cactus and whether aloe vera is a succulent or cactus. 

Is Aloe Vera Cactus or a Succulent plant?

There are hundreds of people confused whether aloe vera is a cactus or succulent. The shortest answer to this question is succulent. This plant lies in the category of succulent not in the cactus group.

But why do people become confused? Is aloe vera the same as a cactus plant? What’s the difference between both groups? Let’s explore together.

Why do people call aloe vera a cactus? 

People call aloe vera a cactus just because of one reason.They actually don’t know the difference between cactus and succulents. 

If I define it in simple words, all cactus are succulents but not all succulents are cactus. Here is the detailed difference between cactus and succulents

Difference Between Succulent and Cactus Plants.

While succulent and cacti plants need similar growing conditions. They both need well-drained soil, a good amount of sunlight, and a little amount of water. 

 But the difference comes in their structure, physical appearance, and method of reproduction. Here is the detailed difference between them. 

Cacti.

• Cacti have needle-like spines while succulents do not.
• They store water in their stems.
• Cactus plants always have areolas (a small structure where spines, branches, and flowers grow).
• Most of the cactus plants don’t have leaves, but a few do.
• Cacti also bloom the same as succulents, but they are mostly pollinated by bees, bats, and butterflies.
• They also make us happy with fruits. Their common fruits are dragon and prickly pear fruits.
• They mostly grow from seeds, not from stems and leaf cuttings, as succulents do.
• Their stems seem columnar, cylindrical, and globular-shaped with the first impression.

Guys, until now, you have grabbed good knowledge about cacti; now let’s learn about succulents. What makes them different?

Succulents.

Guys, first of all, remember, all cacti are succulents. Succulent is a broader diversity of plants where various genera, families, and species of plants are found. 

Here is the key difference in how cactus plants are different from other succulents.

• Other succulents mostly do not have spines.
• They store water in their thick and fleshy leaves.
• Succulents do not feature any type of areoles as cacti.
• They are mostly pollinated by only bees.
• Succulents are grown through their stems and leaf cuttings.
• These plants do not grow any fruits.
• Most of them have thick and fleshy leaves, but still some of them do not have.
• Succulents are mostly found with rosettes, compact clusters, and trailing vines, but some of them are still different. 

Are all cacti succulents?

Yes, all cacti plants are succulents. Because all cacti can store water in their stems, tissues, and roots. However, apart from all the succulents, cacti have unique features that set them apart from the succulents.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, the answer to this is aloe vera succulent or a cactus? The simple and short answer is aloe vera is a succulent plant. 

Because of  its look many people make the mistake to think that aloe is a cactus plant. We made this question easy to understand in this article. And discussed the succulent plants and cactus plants. And there differences

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FAQs.