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CACTI AND SUCCULENTS, FUN FACTS FOR CHILDREN

What are cacti and succulents?
Cacti and succulents are plants that grow in very dry climates, like the desert. There is very little water where they live, so they've developed clever ways of living on very small amounts of moisture. A cactus or succulent is usually covered in prickly thorns. This is a defense strategy that protects the plant from being eaten by birds and animals.

Like most desert plants, cacti and succulents wait until it rains to flower and produce seeds. Their seeds can stay dormant in the soil for a very long time.

How do they survive?
If you look closely, you'll see that cacti and succulents have swollen stems and leaves. These are used to store moisture, which they will use slowly over a long period of time. Desert plants are like water tanks, they collect as much water as possible whenever they can. Some types of cacti have very long roots, which reach deep down into the soil in search of underground water sources. Some succulents form rosettes, which helps them to catch rain water or dew.

Home grown prickly garden
Cacti and succulents come in many different colours, shapes and sizes, so they're fun to collect. They are hardy plants and need very little care. Cacti and succulents make great potted plants and don't take up a lot of space. They also look great when displayed together in a group. You can easily start your own cacti and succulent collection by making a trip to a garden centre.

Caring for cacti and succulents
To keep your plants healthy:
- Plant your cactus or succulent in a pot of loose gritty soil (potting mix will work fine).
- Make sure your pot has good drainage. Soggy soil will cause the plant to rot.
- Don't give your cacti and succulents too much water. Wait for the soil to dry out before watering again.
- Put your plant in a warm, sunny place.
- Put clay pellets over the top of the soil. This will keep the soil moist.
- When moving a spiny cactus from one pot to another, wear heavy gardening gloves and use a folded sheet of newspaper to hold the cactus.
- Take extra care around the thorns and prickles. Some are extremely sharp and can cause painful splinters.

Did you know?
Cacti are a sort of succulent, but a succulent is not always a cactus!

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