A succulent is a type of plant that stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves or stems, allowing it to survive in dry environments where other plants would wither. Cacti are the most famous succulents, but there are thousands of varieties, from the spiky aloe vera plant (whose gel can soothe burns) to the rounded jade plant often seen on windowsills.

When you touch a succulent's leaves, they feel plump and firm because they're full of stored water. This adaptation lets succulents thrive in deserts or on rocky cliffsides where rain rarely falls. Some succulents can survive weeks or even months without water, slowly using their internal reserves.

People love growing succulents because they're forgiving: if you forget to water your succulent for a while, it will probably survive just fine. They come in remarkable shapes and colors, from purple rosettes to trailing strings of tiny beads.

The word succulent can also describe food that's pleasantly juicy and flavorful. A perfectly cooked steak might be called succulent, or a ripe peach dripping with sweetness. In both cases, the word captures that same quality of being full of liquid goodness.