Understanding Foliage Plants
Foliage plants are often loved for their beautiful leaves, which come in an astonishing range of colors, textures, and patterns. Unlike flowering plants, foliage plants prioritize leaf structure over bloom, making them ideal for adding long-term green appeal indoors or in shaded outdoor areas. These plants are often low-maintenance and thrive in a variety of lighting conditions, making them perfect companions for plant lovers ranging from beginners to experienced gardeners.
Some of the most common foliage houseplants include:
- Philodendron
- Pothos
- Calathea
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
- Peace Lily (despite its flowers, it’s grown more for leaves)
These plants are typically appreciated more for their leaves than their flowers. They’re used indoors to add natural texture, form, and color to living spaces. But what about succulents? Do they belong in this category or do they stand apart?
What Are Succulents?
Succulents are a diverse group of plants known for their thick, fleshy tissues that store water. Originating from arid regions, these plants have evolved to retain moisture in their stems, leaves, or roots, helping them survive infrequent rainfall and hot climates. This unique adaptation lends succulents their iconic fat leaves or swollen stems—and makes them incredibly appealing as low-maintenance houseplants.
Common succulents you might recognize include:
- Echeveria
- Aloe Vera
- Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
- Haworthia
- String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
- Agave
Succulents come in a dizzying array of shapes, sizes, and colors, and many also boast striking architectural forms. But does their widespread appeal and focus on leaf structure make them foliage plants?
Are Succulents Considered Foliage Plants?
This question stirs debate, especially among indoor plant enthusiasts. Technically speaking, succulents can be considered foliage plants, depending on how we define “foliage.”
Foliage refers to the leafy parts of plants, and since succulents are often kept primarily for their eye-catching leaves, they tend to fall under the broader umbrella of foliage plants. However, horticulturists and botanical gardens frequently categorize succulents as a distinct group due to their unique adaptations and growth patterns. In landscaping and gardening, succulents usually get their own category separate from general foliage or tropical plants.
So, in short: yes, many succulents are technically foliage plants, but they’re frequently treated as a separate plant group due to their unique biology and care needs.
Why the Classification Matters
Understanding whether succulents count as foliage plants isn’t just a matter of semantics—it affects how you care for them. Foliage plants typically require moist, shaded or moderately lit environments, while succulents need brighter light and dry soil conditions. Mixing succulent care with general foliage plant care can lead to overwatering or underlighting, which are common causes of houseplant failure.
Key Differences Between Succulents and Traditional Foliage Plants:
- Water Needs: Succulents require minimal watering; many foliage plants like moist (but not soggy) soil.
- Humidity Tolerance: Traditional foliage plants often prefer higher humidity, whereas succulents thrive in drier air.
- Lighting Requirements: Most succulents need bright, direct light; foliage plants are typically more shade-tolerant.
- Leaf Texture: Succulent leaves are thick and waxy for water retention; foliage plant leaves are often thinner and more delicate.
How to Care for Succulent-Type Foliage Indoors
If you’re grouping succulents with your foliage plants indoors for aesthetic purposes, that’s perfectly okay—just be aware that their needs differ. Here’s how to keep your succulents thriving surrounded by their leafy counterparts.
1. Light
Succulents need bright light. Preferably 4–6 hours of direct or strong indirect sunlight per day. South- and west-facing windows are usually ideal.
If your indoor lighting is low or indirect, consider using a full-spectrum grow light and place it about 6–12 inches above the plants for 12–14 hours daily.
2. Watering
Water succulents thoroughly but infrequently. Let the soil dry out completely between watering. This method mimics the rainy-dry cycles succulents experience in their natural habitats.
Tip: Check soil moisture by inserting your finger or moisture meter at least 2 inches deep. If it’s dry, it’s time to water.
3. Soil
Succulents need well-draining soil, typically a cactus or succulent mix. You can also create your own mix using regular potting soil amended with coarse sand, pumice, or perlite.
4. Containers
Always use pots with drainage holes. Standing water in containers is a fast track to root rot—one of the most common succulent killers.
5. Temperature and Humidity
Succulents prefer temperatures between 60°F and 80°F (15°C–27°C). They can tolerate dry indoor air, making them perfect for homes with low humidity.
Unlike most tropical foliage plants, succulents do not need misting. In fact, misting can promote fungal growth and leaf rot.
6. Fertilization
Succulents benefit from light feeding during their growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer once a month. Avoid fertilizing during dormancy in the fall and winter.
Designing with Succulent Foliage
Many plant lovers cherish succulents not only for their resilience but also for the unique textures, colors, and shapes they contribute to home decor. Their sculptural qualities make them ideal for minimalist arrangements, terrariums, and mixed indoor gardens.
Some favorite succulents with ornamental foliage include:
- Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant): Velvety leaves with brown tips—cute and kid-friendly.
- Graptopetalum paraguayense (Ghost Plant): Rosette-forming with pastel-colored leaves.
- Senecio radicans (String of Bananas): A trailing succulent perfect for hanging baskets.
When pairing succulents with traditional foliage plants in the same room, consider using separate containers but similar decorative pots to create a cohesive look while still meeting each plant’s care needs.
Conclusion: A Unique Subset of Foliage
Succulents are indeed a kind of foliage plant, especially when you define foliage by visual appeal and leaf structure. However, their specialized care requirements and adaptations make them a unique category within the houseplant world. Whether you’re grouping them with other foliage or giving them their own spotlight, succulents are a rewarding, low-maintenance way to bring distinctive beauty and greenery into your space.
If you’re a beginner gardener, don’t be intimidated. Embrace succulents for what they are—a beautiful intersection of foliage charm and desert resilience. With the right balance of light, water, and well-drained soil, your succulent foliage will thrive for years to come.
References
- Capon, B. (2005). Botany for Gardeners (3rd ed.). Portland, OR: Timber Press.
- Brickell, C. (Ed.). (2019). RHS Encyclopedia of House Plants. London: Dorling Kindersley.
- Stewart, J. (2020). Succulents at Home: Choosing, Growing, and Decorating with the Easiest Houseplants Ever. New York: Ten Speed Press.
