The Exotic Garden of Monaco has been a unique site since it was opened to the public in 1933. In its prestigious, open-air setting, it brings together a wide variety of “succulent” plants.
Succulent plants have developed several types of adaptation to dry climates, the most spectacular of which is the presence of a hypertrophied organ (leave, stem) which can store reserves of water. Cacti is the best known family of this type of plant. Their lack of leaves, which are replaced by spines, makes them stand out.
The plant species represented in this Garden come from several faraway arid zones (hence the name “Exotic”): cacti and agaves come from the south-western United States, Mexico, and Central and South America; the other succulent plants are from southern and eastern Africa and the Arabian peninsula. Despite their unusual shapes, these are plants like any others that regularly blossom to propagate.
Plants may be in bloom at almost any time of year depending on the origin of each species: Aloes and African Crassula bloom in winter, and most cacti bloom in spring and summer. Contrary to popular opinion, very few cacti bloom at night. Many cactus species produce large colourful flowers during the day.
