Having an understanding of the type of succulents in your possession can be beneficial for proper care, as different succulents require different maintenance. Use the guidance provided in this post to identify the succulents you own!
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At the beginning of my succulent-collecting journey, it was a real challenge to determine the genus and species of my plants since most stores I bought them from didn’t provide any labels.
I was initially not bothered by the lack of specific names for the succulents and cacti at the store near my house, but now it’s really starting to annoy me – they just put “Succulent Variety” and “Cactus Variety”!
It is essential to be aware of the particular kind of succulents you have, as each type may have different needs in terms of light and water.
It may not be possible to identify each of the thousands of succulents varieties with absolute certainty, but it is not necessary to do so in order to appreciate them. Knowing the general type of succulent you own is enough to enjoy it.
In the past few years, I have come across some excellent tools for figuring out what kind of succulent you have. Below, I have listed the resources that I have found to be the most helpful. Try out different techniques to get the most accurate results, including the genus and species of the succulent and, if possible, the cultivar name too.
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Table of Contents
Start with a good photo
You’ll need a clear image of your succulent if you want to identify it, unless you are asking someone face-to-face. It’s best to take a picture of the plant on its own rather than with other plants in the same photo.
Change the structure of the sentence while keeping the same meaning: Try cropping or zooming in to only feature the plant in the arrangement, yet make sure you still have enough of it visible so that it can be identified.
If your plant is flowering, it is usually simpler to identify it. Make sure to take a separate image of the flowers or include it in the main photograph if possible. You don’t need to have the photo of the bloom, but for certain species it can be helpful.
Ensure the succulent is adequately illuminated. If you are taking pictures in a dimly lit area or indoors, an odd color cast may be produced, potentially altering the appearance of the plant.
The takeaway from this story is to take a clear, detailed photo of your succulent so that it can be easily identified.
Upload the photo to Google Search
Google search has a feature that lets you input an image and perform a search with it. While the results may not be completely precise, it can help point you in the right direction.
I frequently employ this technique to identify the genus of a succulent, and then use additional keyword searches to further refine my results.
Join the Succulent Lovers Club!
I’m sure you understand the importance of being able to identify your succulents, and that’s why the Succulent Lovers Club has a feature where you can upload a photo of your plant and our Succulents and Sunshine Team (as well as other club members) will help you name it.
You can post as many images as you desire! All you need to do is sit back and wait for a response – we’ll take care of the rest.
Along with learning the names of your succulents, the course provides detailed instructions on how to give them the best care possible. You can even share photos of your succulents that need extra attention and get personalized advice to help them thrive.
Definitely visit the club to get assistance in identifying your succulents and gain a wealth of knowledge!
Facebook Groups
I enjoy sharing pictures of my succulents in Facebook groups in order to get help with their identification. I usually have a response in a short amount of time, which is great. Additionally, it’s exciting to be part of a succulent community!
I’ve noticed that people in Facebook groups are more likely to offer advice and guidance than those in a forum. If you’re looking for feedback or tips, here are some of the Facebook groups you could join:
It is important to show appreciation for those who have provided helpful advice. Be an active participant in the group and people will be more likely to help you. Engaging and interacting with the community is a great way to build relationships and receive assistance.
Types of Succulents Page
There are photographs of certain types of succulents, in addition to helpful guidance on how to look after and multiply them, as well as people’s personal accounts!
Garden Web Forum
The Garden Web Forum is a great resource for getting your succulent identified. Signing up for an account is free and simple, and you can then access the forum to ask for help.
Once you have created an account, you will need to include a picture of your succulent as part of your post. Upload the photo to complete your post.
Suggestion: If you have an idea about the genus or species, let us know in your comment. It often helps to speed up the process.
Do not submit more than 3 or 4 photos of succulents for identification in a single post. This will make it difficult for other people to accurately answer your question, and it places an excessive burden on the members of the forum.
Instead, upload a few images periodically, such as every few days or once a week.
I suggest enabling the email notification option so you don’t have to continuously go back to the website and check for comments.
Generally, people on this forum respond quickly and may even answer your question within minutes. Be sure to express your gratitude to those who have provided assistance.
The Succulent Plant Page Gallery
This Gallery of Succulents can help you identify your succulent, though it may take some time to find an exact match. However, you should be able to determine the genus of the plant, which can be a helpful starting point.
Phone Apps
PlantSnap (Apple, Android), PictureThis (Apple, Android), and Leafsnap (Apple, Android).
You can also give Google Lens a go.
It should be noted that these apps (and most identification solutions) are not infallible; however, they should be able to provide you with a good indication of what you are looking for.
Drought Smart Plants
An excellent way to identify succulents is to use the Succulent ID app created by Jacki at Drought Smart Plants. This app allows users to browse genera of succulents or search for a specific type based on its distinguishing characteristics.
She also created an ebook that can help you identify Sempervivums, which you can access here.
Once you get a name…
You have identified your plant.
It’s important to remember that once you know the name of your succulent, it’s a good idea to do a Google image search of it to make sure that the majority of the pictures match your plant. If they do, congratulations, you’ve successfully identified it.
If the name you have doesn’t seem to be accurate, use it as a starting point. Seek out others who may know more about the plant and inquire as to whether it could be a different species than what you initially assumed. It can be difficult to identify young plants, so don’t expect a definitive answer.
With so many different cultivars and hybrids of succulents out there, it can be tricky to figure out which type you own. But as long as you can identify the genus of your succulent and make an educated guess about the species, you will be in a much better position to provide the proper care for your plant.
I would suggest downloading the Succulent Tracker app and taking a photo of your succulent once you’ve got it. Additionally, input any useful details you know about the plant. This app will help you keep track of your watering schedule so you can be sure your succulents get the care they need.
I strongly recommend that you take the time to become more familiar with the succulent variety that you are interested in. To help you out, I have created an ebook that provides detailed information on the best succulents to grow, based on where you live, your watering habits, and more. Additionally, the ebook also covers information on over 75 succulents!
FAQ
What are unique characteristics of succulents?
Succulents are characterized by their thick, fleshy leaves or stems, needing only small amounts of water and fertilizer, but requiring lots of light. These plants do best in well-drained sandy soil and are especially suited to living in homes with low relative humidity.
What identifies a succulent?
A succulent is any plant with thick, fleshy tissues designed for water storage. This adaptation can manifest in different ways; for example, cacti store water solely in their stems and have either no leaves, or very small leaves, while agaves store water primarily in their leaves.
What are succulents known for?
Paraphrase: – Succulents are able to survive in dry conditions due to their special water-retaining characteristics. …
– Taking care of succulents is simple. …
– Succulents are available in a range of sizes, shapes, and colors. …
– Succulents can thrive in a variety of different environments.
How do I identify succulents for free?
My friend Jacki at Drought Smart Plants has created an excellent app called Succulent ID which is perfect for identifying succulents. You can browse through different genera of succulents or search for your specific plant based on its features.
What is the special identifying feature of a succulent?
Any plant which has thick, fleshy tissues that are designed for storing water is known as a succulent. This type of plant may not have leaves or may have very small leaves, with the water mainly being stored in the stem (such as in the case of cacti). In contrast, some succulents, like agaves, store water mainly in their leaves.