Artists I Fancy : Succulents (Canvas) by Oliver Gal at Gilt (Plus Gardening Tips)

Succulents (Canvas) by Oliver Gal at Gilt

via Joie de Vivre Magazine on Pinterest

~ Source PIN URL: http://ift.tt/2vanppG

NOTE: Oliver Gal is not a single artist, but a female‑founded art studio based in Miami, created by sisters Ana and Lola Sánchez. They produce contemporary, fashion‑inspired wall art, often featuring bold colors, glam themes, and pop‑culture motifs. Their work spans canvas prints, hand‑embellished pieces, abstract art, and decorative objects.  They’ve become widely distributed through retailers like Gilt, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Amazon, and Wayfair.

SUCCULENTS ARE BEAUTIFUL BUT ...

Succulents are plants that store extra water in their leaves, stems, or roots, allowing them to survive in dry or unpredictable climates. They come in many forms—from tiny stone-like Lithops to towering baobab trees—and make up roughly 3–5% of all flowering plants. Their defining trait is water storage, which lets them thrive in environments where many other plants cannot.  (REF:   British Cactus and Succulent Society)

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🌱 Are succulents good for the environment?

Short answer: They can be—but it depends on how they’re grown, sourced, and used.

Below is a breakdown of the environmental benefits and concerns, based on current research.

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🌍 Environmental Benefits

• Water efficiency
  Succulents use far less water than traditional garden plants. Some need only 1–2 ounces per week, compared to several gallons for other species. This makes them excellent for drought-prone regions and water conservation efforts.  (REF:   shunwaste.com)

• Climate resilience
  Their drought tolerance and ability to store water make them valuable models for adapting agriculture and landscaping to climate change. They can help maintain greenery in increasingly arid environments.  In other words, they can be very eco-friendly.  (REF:  cactusandsucculents.co.uk)

• Ecosystem support
  In their native habitats, succulents provide food, shelter, and water for animals, especially in deserts where resources are scarce. Their fruits help with seed dispersal and support biodiversity.  (REF:  cactusandsucculents.co.uk)

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⚠️ BUT! There Are Some Environmental Concerns ⚠️ 

• Overharvesting and habitat loss
  Some succulents—especially rare cacti—are illegally collected from the wild, threatening species already at risk of extinction.  (REF:  Oxford Academic)

• Carbon footprint from global trade
  The booming popularity of succulents means many are shipped long distances, increasing carbon emissions.  (REF:   shunwaste.com)

• Invasive potential
  Certain succulents can become invasive when introduced outside their native range, disrupting local ecosystems.  (REF:  New Phytologist)

• Soil degradation
  Overharvesting wild plants can damage fragile soils and lead to erosion.  (REF:  shunwaste.com)

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🌿 So… are succulents environmentally friendly?

They are environmentally friendly when:

• grown locally or ethically sourced
• used to replace water-intensive landscaping
• planted in appropriate climates
• not taken from the wild

They are harmful when:

• poached from natural habitats
• mass-produced with heavy resource use
• shipped globally in large volumes
• allowed to spread invasively

Succulents are adaptation champions, but like any trend, sustainability depends on responsible choices.

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I don't have a green thumb.  But if I ever own a home, I'd like to have a garden and want to know what the best flowers and plants are to grow.  Succulents are good for indoors or outdoors.  To learn more, do additional research on eco-friendly succulents and how to grow them sustainably.