Cacti and Succulents: The Difference and How to Care for Them
Cactus, or succulent? It sounds like a trick question, because the right answer is: every cactus is a succulent, but not every succulent is a cactus. Let's take a closer look at what really sets them apart and how to care for both groups.
Cacti Are a Subfamily of Succulents
"Succulent" is an umbrella term for plants that store water in fleshy leaves, stems, or roots, letting them survive long dry spells. Cacti (family Cactaceae) are one specific family within this broader group — you can spot them mainly by their areoles (small cushion-like structures that spines grow from) and, usually, by the absence of true leaves.
But succulents also include dozens of other families — stonecrops (Crassulaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), or ice plants (Aizoaceae). These have no areoles or spines, yet they work on the same principle: saving water.
Browse our current selection of cacti and succulents.
How to Tell If Your Plant Is a Cactus
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Areoles: Cacti have small "cushions" on their surface that spines, hairs, or flowers grow from. No other succulent has these.
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Spines instead of leaves: A cactus's spines are actually modified leaves — they keep water loss to a minimum.
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Origin: The vast majority of cacti come from the Americas (the deserts of Mexico, the southwestern US, the Andes), while plants like echeveria or aloe have African roots.
Care: What Cacti and Succulents Have in Common
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Light: As much direct sun as possible — a south- or west-facing window.
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Watering: Only once the substrate is completely dry, and barely at all in winter. Overwatering is the most common cause of death for both groups.
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Substrate: Well-draining soil mixed with sand or perlite — no standing water at the bottom of the pot.
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Temperature: 18–25 °C; a cooler winter rest (10–15 °C) actually helps trigger spring flowering.
Tip from florist Bára:
"The most common mistake I see is at repotting time — people reach for ordinary potting soil, which holds too much water. Always use a dedicated cactus and succulent substrate, or mix regular potting soil with sand at roughly a 1:1 ratio."
Our Selection: Succulents and Related Species
Right now we have a wide range of succulents in stock — close relatives of cacti with the same care requirements:
Want to know the differences between the individual succulent varieties we offer? Read our Types of Succulents article.
Cacti and Succulents as a Gift
A small succulent or cactus in a nice pot makes an original gift that lasts — unlike cut flowers, the recipient doesn't need to water it right away.
Browse our full selection.
The KvětinyExpres.cz team
