The Appeal of Succulents
By: Alexandra Watts
Arizona is known for its Southwestern aesthetic — deserts, sunsets and of course, cacti.
The cactus is expanding on not only being an Arizona symbol, but one that is gaining popularity elsewhere in the form of succulents. A cactus is a type of succulent, which is a type of plant that has a thicker body. The thick body is used to hold water.
Because of the biology of these plants, they are able to survive in climates where there isn’t a lot of rainfall or wet climate. When taking care of other plants, the plants must be maintained and watered to ensure their well-being.
Succulents can be seen as an accessible alternative to those who might not be ready to take care of a garden. Succulents are not only being sold in nursery of local Walmarts, but have shown up on t-shirts, coffee mugs and even necklaces.
In an MIC article on succulents , Erin Marino touches on the popularity of succulents being tied to social media.
“Bloggers not only shared their aspirational images, but also how accessible and easy to care for the plants are,” Marino said in the article.
The aesthetic and the general care of succulents has found its place online.
On Amazon, a pack of 20 succulents is one of the best selling items. In the description, the product is described as being perfect for a party favor, illustrating the lowkey nature and fun associated with the succulent.
And once an individual gets a succulent, there are more digital resources. On Reddit, a sub-Reddit, or a community dedicated to a certain topic, is dedicated to succulents. r/Succulents offers advice to those who need help identifying or taking care of the plants.
And while they are interesting for the rest of the world, they are interesting for Arizona, too. It is a way for those who live in the state to take part in a trend, and have a piece of what represents home in their home.
In Arizona, the hot weather makes garden and plant upkeep more tedious than in other places.
Succulents, for Arizona, represent the state, and also are perfect for the environment and aesthetic of Arizona.
