While greenery is for houses with open lawns and backyards, a space-thrifty condo can still be a home with plants.

Plants will not survive without sunlight as they will quickly dry up and wither. But with proper care, such as watering and exposure to outside air, they may live to make homes look fresh and tropical.

Maintaning plants is a bit tricky and tedious. The bigger they are, the harder to keep them.

And so instead of having the usual leafy plants as accent inside the house, people now prefer cactuses and succulents.

Cactuses and succulents are most of the time interchanged as many think they are just the same.

Scientifically however, they are actually not one and the same. Succulents are plants that store water in their stems, root and leaves. There are approximately 60 plant families under the succulent group, including aloe.

Cactus also belong to the succulent family, hence, all cactuses are succulents. But not all succulents are cactuses.

The main distinction of a cactus is its areoles. These are small, round, cushion-like mounds where leaves, flowers and more grow from.

Areoles can only be found in cactuses. Other succulent types do not have areoles.

Recently, there has been a growing demand for succulents. Before, it was orchids. Now, it is succulents.

In Quezon Memorial Circle, where plants including herbs like basil and oregano are sold, more and more sellers include succulents in their selection.

While it is believed that giving a cactus to someone as a gift could mean something bad, having succulents at home do not carry the same negativity.

Having succulents at home, especially in condos, is not only trendy but also easy.

Succulents are not as demanding as other plants like daisies. They are even thought to be trendy these days because they’re the perfect plant for the forgetful (and very busy) gardeners.

They are the perfect plant for yuppies, those who are always on the go. They easily brighten up a space — whether they are in your dining area or near the window sill. Succulents are cute tiny plants with spikes.

Some succulents also differ in color. They are not always green. Some of them have a hint of blue and purple. Some even have red strokes, too.

If you have a minimalist home with an all-white wall, succulents can be the right accent on top of the wood and metal coffee table.

While some succulents require certain care requirements, most of them are easy to grow because of their anatomy.

Since succulents have their own water storage, they can survive in environments too dry for other plants.

They thrive in dry areas, just like in high-rise condo spaces. They can also easily adapt to minimal light in the absence of direct sunlight.

Styling homes with succulents also brings an avant garde vibe to surroundings. Instead of succulent in typical ceramic or plastic pots, they can be on geometric vases. Throwing in some pebbles inside the pots can bring a more elevated look.

White ceramic vases provide more of that classic and timeless style.

There are many types of succulents. Instead of sticking to one kind, like cactuses, you can also try to mix and match these plants.

Take two succulents with different textures or shapes — like echeveria and haworthia — to add more statement in your home.

You can also try to mix and match based on color, shape and growth direction.

Where to place them may be a bit tricky though since they are small. Sometimes they could even work as a paper weight on your work station at home.

You can put succulents almost anywhere, including in your bathroom, beside some scented candles. They are a nice sight when you relax in the tub.

The living room is also a usual place for plants. They work as center pieces, too. Some people opt to place them near windows to make sure they still get some sunlight they deserve.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro in greening a home, succulents can sure work like art.

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