Since succulents aren’t just one single plant family, but rather a cool trait found across tons of different genera and species, figuring out exactly what you have on your windowsill can be a bit of a puzzle. To help you play plant detective, I’ve rounded up the best methods used by succulent pros to get a realistic ID on your green friends.
Identifying Succulents: The Leaf Shape Method
Succulents come in an incredible variety of leaf shapes. For instance, some Aloe Vera varieties (like the ‘Coral’ cultivar) sport long, thin, triangular leaves. On the flip side, something like an Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ has thick, wide leaves that grow outward from the center in a beautiful, carpet-like rosette.
These distinct physical traits are your best friends when it comes to identification. Often, you can narrow down the possibilities just by looking at the leaf shape, which gets you to an answer much faster. Just a heads-up, though: leaves aren’t always a “smoking gun” because so many species look remarkably similar to the untrained eye.
Pro tip: If the leaf shape alone isn’t giving you a clear answer, take a look at the plant’s rosette. Some succulents have sharp, pointed rosettes, while others grow in a tight, rounded, cabbage-like structure.
Identifying Succulents: The Visual Search Method
The “picture method” is another great way to go. It’s often the most accurate, but let’s be real—it can be a bit of a time sink. You can pull up endless photos of succulent species online, but you might find yourself falling down a rabbit hole for a few hours before you find a perfect match in the vast corners of the internet.
If you already know your succulent is a water-storing cactus, for example, try searching for “succulent cactus” in an image search. From there, you can try to match your plant based on its blooms, growth patterns, or unique textures.
Identifying Succulents: Ask a Pro
Since DIY identification can take a lot of time and a bit of “plant-dar,” there’s always the expert route. Consulting a specialist who lives and breathes succulents is a fantastic way to get a quick, professional ID for a very small fee.
The best part? You don’t even have to load your plants into the car. Many specialty nurseries and experts offer online ID services. You simply email them a clear photo of your succulent or cactus, and for a tiny fee (usually just a couple of bucks), they’ll give you the exact name of your water-storing beauty.
Extra Tip: These experts often host talks or exhibitions. They’re a goldmine for background info on different species, plus they can give you the inside scoop on specific watering needs and fertilizing tips to keep your plants thriving.
