The Cactus and Succulent Society of America (CSSA) was founded in 1929 by a  small group of people in Pasadena, California and has grown to encompass over 80 affiliated clubs and  thousands of members worldwide. Our primary purpose is to enjoy succulent  (water-storing) plants through horticulture, travel and scientific discovery,  with a particular concern for habitat preservation and conservation issues in  deserts worldwide.

Every other month members receive the full-color Cactus  and Succulent Journal, widely regarded as the best and most  authoritative periodical on succulent and xerophytic (dry loving) plants.  Published now for over 77 years, it is the longest running publication of its  kind and features articles of interest to beginners and advanced hobbyists  alike. Many new species have been (and continue to be) described in our Journal.  Our newsletter, To The Point, packaged with the Journal, is full of  news and views about the succulent plant world, events listings for shows,  sales, symposia and conventions worldwide, and cultivation advice for plants  common to rare. Advanced hobbyists can access deeper, scientific knowledge of  succulent plants and their environs in our peer-reviewed, technical yearbook, Haseltonia.

The  first CSSA convention, held in St. Louis, Missouri in 1941, created national  interest in the society at a time when cacti were already having a second wave  of popularity in American horticulture. CSSA  Conventions, held every other year since, now attract an international  audience and feature world-renowned speakers conducting hands-on workshops,  leading field trips and discussing travel, field discoveries and plant  propagation and care, not to mention book sales, auctions, plant sales and much  more. Our conventions are not to be missed!