Cacti and succulents are ideal for allergy sufferers. To put it simply, there is a lot less pollen to be concerned about than with other plants.
Additionally, if you’ve been following Instagram or Pinterest, you know that succulents look beautiful in almost any space, even offices. Succulents, whether large or small, are among the greatest low-maintenance plants for lifting your spirits and making you feel energised and creative during those daily work sessions.
What is a succulent?
Plants known as succulents have distinctive fleshy leaves that store sap. They have those leaves because it helps them retain as much moisture as possible. They can be found all throughout the world, but are most common in desert regions.
Succulents include a wide range of plant species. Succulents include cacti, aloe plants, and even orchids. Succulents are typically found in the same family as ZZ plants and other popular indoor plants. They are well-liked because they take little care, little pruning, and some species only need very little light to survive.
How did succulents get their name?
The thick, fleshy, sap-filled leaves that are the defining characteristic of succulents are what give them their name. Compared to plants with thinner leaves, they can hold and retain water more efficiently because to their leaves.
Where do succulents come from? Where did they come from originally?
Succulents initially originated in arid, dry regions like deserts. Even while certain succulents, like orchids, grow in places where the rain may not easily reach them, they do receive rainfall. Many succulents originate in Africa and other continents with protracted dry seasons when plants have developed means of more successfully storing and utilising water.
Why are succulents so popular?
Of course, succulents have been around for a very long time and have been used in indoor gardens and as office plants for a very long time. However, it appears that their popularity has increased in recent years. There are several causes for this:
- They require little upkeep. They require minimal to no pruning and less watering.
- They are available in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors. This includes really tiny plants in little pots that are perfectly suited for a desk.
- They don’t draw as many pests. Plants frequently attract pests as a result of the ongoing requirement for irrigation. The risk of pests drastically decreases when you don’t need to water the plants as frequently, such with succulents. Succulents’ thick, waxy leaves make it more difficult for pests to pierce and feed through them.
- It is simpler for greenhouses and shops to sell them. They are easier to transport because they can go for extended periods of time without water and can stay on a truck for days at a time. Because many succulents are tiny, producers can export huge quantities of them for less money. Some can even be shipped across the country in plastic bags. Additionally, they can be kept at the garden center for a lot longer and survive a lot longer.
- Most people find it very challenging to outgrow. Some common indoor plants, like Pothos, have issues because they grow and eventually start to vine. This can be inconvenient and takes a lot of maintenance.
Where’s the best place to buy succulents?
Due to their growing popularity, succulents are now available almost wherever that sells plants. This can include everything from smaller big box stores to garden centers. Succulents may even be sold in some grocery stores that also offer plants.
How can you tell a succulent from other plants?
A unique class of plant is the succulent. They simply don’t look like other plants. Their leaves are one of the main variations. When you touch a succulent, the leaves are typically thicker than those of other plants and can have a rubbery feel to them. They often do not sit in extremely damp soil, and their roots tend to be relatively shallow (in fact, soil that is too moist is bad for them).
They are available in many different types, shapes, and colors. In order to be sure, ask an expert any queries you may have or study the labels that have been placed on the pot or in the plant’s soil.
Is there a difference between succulents and cacti?
It does appear that there is some debate among plant scientists over whether or not cacti are succulents. Although the majority of gardeners believe them to be a separate category of plants, some horticulturists disagree.
In the end, cacti do meet the criteria for being considered succulents. They don’t need a lot of water. Cacti lack leaves in favor of thick, green stems, but they have a special method for making the most of the little water they do receive. Some of them blossom, which makes them popular among plant lovers who prefer to have low-maintenance plants.
Is there a difference between succulents and air plants?
Succulents and air plants (Tilandsia spp.) are essentially in the same class and can both be categorized as succulents. Air plants frequently grow atop other plants or structures, such as tree branches, and have essentially no roots. They require almost no water at all and are quite robust.
Air plants only sometimes need to be misted, and the majority of the water that falls on their leaves is retained. They keep the little moisture they do receive by absorbing it. These days, they are highly popular since they can survive when delivered in groups in boxes or bags by absorbing the water released by other air plants.
Are succulents easy to take care of?
Succulents are quite popular for a variety of reasons, one of which is how simple they are to maintain. They don’t need to be replanted or require a lot of water (although you can if you wish to for aesthetic reasons). They require no pruning because of their slow growth.
Only the propensity for individuals to overwater succulents needs to be avoided. Despite the fact that it is quite obvious that plants don’t require a lot of water, people naturally want to water their plants every day. Succulents shouldn’t let this to happen. Just check to see if the soil is dry.
If you choose to water your succulent while keeping it in a saucer, take it out, hold it under the faucet, and let the water drain. Alternatively, if you use a watering can, water the plant, then check to see if it is still submerged later. If so, take it off the saucer and discard it. Avoid light watering (also known as “splash and dash”) when the soil is dry. Always water the plant properly when necessary, and drain any extra water.
Contact Ambius for more information about how we can provide succulents for your environment. We know how to properly care for succulents, so get in touch with us.
Are succulents expensive?
Succulents are often not extremely expensive, but because the family is so large and diverse, there are always outliers. There may be certain uncommon varieties of succulents that command a premium price. But generally speaking, the majority of succulents are fairly inexpensive. They may cost a little bit more than you would for a more common plant because they are special and frequently have unusual colors and shapes, but you get a more intriguing plant in exchange.
Make sure the plant is in good condition to make sure you get your money’s worth. Make sure to check the plant to see whether it appears to be in good condition if you want to buy succulents from a big-box retailer. Like any other plant, they become brown or yellow when they are ill or about to die. Despite being tough plants, if left unattended for too long, they may suffer.
Because succulents grow slowly, a small plant could be highly valuable and shouldn’t be given a fixed price merely because of its size. Succulents are generally more valuable per unit of size than the typical houseplant.
Are succulents poisonous?
Generally speaking, most succulents are not toxic, and they have a variety of health benefits.
For instance, the sap from the leaves of the succulent Aloe is recognized for treating burns and has been used to manufacture cosmetics like face creams. However, certain people may occasionally experience allergies to plants, even succulents. People with latex allergies should be extra cautious around sap-producing succulents (particularly succulents in the genus Eurphorbia). Anyone who has an allergy will most likely experience a cutaneous reaction like a rash.
Which succulents are safe for pets?
Once more, given the enormous variety of succulent species, most plants should be maintained as far away from animals as possible. Some succulents with long, sharp, stiff stems that could cause more bodily harm to pets provide the greater risk (such as to eyes). Succulents are generally safe for animals, though.
Which succulents prefer shade?
Even though it is well knowledge that succulents don’t require much water, some varieties can survive without much sunlight. But bear in mind that the majority of succulents thrive in hot, dry settings like deserts and other arid regions.
For more information about a plant’s light needs, always refer to the information that came with the plant.
Do succulents cause you to run a cold?
Your immune system is overreacting to exposure to an allergen secreted by the plant when you experience an allergic reaction to it. Pollen and mold are the two main allergens to take into account while choosing plants. Sensitive people may have allergy symptoms from inhaling these airborne contaminants, including sneezing, runny or stuffy noses, red and watery eyes, and dry, peeling skin. If you want a houseplant that won’t introduce allergens into your home, think about the following:
- Different plants produce different amounts of pollen. It is worthwhile to spend a few minutes doing some research to avoid introducing a significant pollen-producer into your home if anyone in your family is allergic to pollen.
- Large, flat-leafed plants can quickly build up dust, which in some people might cause allergy symptoms.
- Mold is more prone to grow in soil that is consistently moist. Mold formation in plant containers can be avoided by selecting indoor plants that require little water.
- The likelihood of mold growth can be reduced by draining the water from the soil and placing aquarium rocks at the bottom of your plant’s pot.
- According to the CDC, houseplants can raise the relative humidity in a space, which may encourage the spread of mold. A dehumidifier can assist in reducing the elevated humidity brought on by plants.
Some houseplants, like the swelling and itching, burning rash brought on by exposure to stinging nettle, might result in an unpleasant reaction that is completely unrelated to any allergen. People are affected by this impact regardless of their sensitivity to allergies since the plant releases histamine when its hairs pierce a person’s skin. Another non-allergic reaction is phytophotodermatitis, which develops as a rash and skin discoloration after coming into contact with compounds found in some plants, such Queen Anne’s lace, and then being exposed to sunshine.
Poison ivy, lilies, chrysanthemums, dandelions, goldenrod, daisies, and tulips are among the plants that might result in allergic reactions such allergic contact dermatitis or hives. The aforementioned plants, including stinging nettle and Queen Anne’s lace, can have serious negative health effects, but only in people who are allergic to the compounds they contain.
Worst plants for allergies
Even if you don’t anticipate your new houseplant to improve the quality of the air within your home, you should still check to make sure that no one in your family will become allergic to it. The following plants are likely to give allergic rhinitis sufferers symptoms.
- According to the 1993 book Indoor Allergens by the Institute of Medicine, airborne allergens produced by chrysanthemums, common ferns, lilies, and geraniums can result in contact dermatitis. In addition, tulips and lilies can make allergic people break out in hives.
- Allergy sufferers may respond negatively to ornamental plants such as yucca, ivy, palm trees, and Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) (Mahillon, et. al, 2006).
- Popular succulent plant Hoya compacta, commonly known as “wax plant,” can trigger respiratory issues like stuffy nose, runny nose, and sneezing (Sherson, et. al, 2017).
- According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, pine trees used as holiday decorations may include weed pollen that has fallen on the plant’s branches after being produced in the fall (ACAAI). Some people may experience allergic reactions to this weed’s pollen.
Even while they might not be able to significantly enhance the air quality in your home, houseplants can nonetheless add a touch of nature to any area with their eye-catching design. You shouldn’t have any trouble bringing fresh plant life to your home as long as you take precautions to prevent soil mold growth and stay away from the tiny number of houseplants known to trigger an allergic reaction in certain people. Read our article, “How to Get Rid of Allergens in Every Room of Your Home,” for additional advice and treatments for indoor allergies.
Pollen is present in succulent flowers?
The spring season will start in a few weeks, and those who are sensitive to pollen will probably appreciate a few irritants along with the magnificent plants, flowers, and other bushes that will sprout up all around us. When spring arrives, pollen will be abundant, and some symptoms of an allergy to it include swollen and puffy eyes and red, stuffy noses.
Spring is probably not the time for you if the sight of plants and flowers makes you sneeze uncontrollably and rush for tissues. You’ll probably be hiding behind a mask and running for your life rather than taking in the sight of the park’s blossoming flowers. It’s bad that you can’t take advantage of this time of year when flowers are in bloom and the city appears to have stepped out of a fairy tale. You need not worry if you have allergies because you may still enjoy having a garden even if you love flowers and plants. Allergies are caused by pollen, after all.
Just a little extra research on what you may and cannot plant is all that is required. Even though there are many hypoallergenic flowers available, succulents like CAL Farms Beautiful 36 of 2 Assorted Succulents are the ideal companion for allergy sufferers. Why?
You have developed a severe allergy to plants and flowers as a result of their distinctive pollen. You wouldn’t have a problem getting lots of tulips on Valentine’s Day if there were no pollen. Additionally, you would be able to cultivate a garden of your own and decorate your living space with wildflowers. This is why succulents are an excellent alternative to flowers and other plants. Not to mention that there is a large range of succulent plants to pick from and that they are extremely simple to care for.
Growing succulent plants is your best option if you have a pollen allergy yet want to try your hand at gardening. Apart from the fact that it won’t aggravate your allergies, you’ll love caring for them because they only need a little help. Simply water them occasionally and expose them to sunshine for a few hours each week will suffice. Succulents are a terrific addition to your home gardening collection or your living room decor if you are too busy to take care of plants but yet want for their presence.
A cactus garden may not be appealing to some of you, but there are many flowering cacti that can add vibrant hues to your landscape. You don’t have to be satisfied with growing cactus that seem to make you think of a desolate desert. There are many possibilities available with succulents, including cacti with vibrantly colored flowers like red, orange, violet, and pink.
Of course, you can also choose to grow begonia, hypoallergenic sunflowers, bulbs, and roses in your cacti garden if you truly desire flowers. These are ideal for those who are allergic to pollen and will give your cactus garden a more vibrant appearance.