The center of Tlaxcala is filled with succulents with an event that brings together specialists, producers and the general public around these plants: the Succulent Festival in Tlaxcala, which is celebrating its second edition in Plaza Benito Juárez.
The proposal combines scientific outreach and activities for the whole family., with workshops, conferences, and a wide-ranging exhibition and sale designed for those who wish to get started or delve deeper into the responsible cultivation of cacti, agaves, and other succulents.
Dates, venue and objectives of the event
The program runs from August 8 to 10., from 10:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m., with Plaza Benito Juárez as the focal point. Some of the presentations and workshops will also take place in the Legislative Palace (Conference Room and Stained Glass area).
The purpose is to strengthen knowledge and conservation of species adapted to dry environments, support the consumption of agroecological products and give visibility to local crafts made with Tlaxcalan identity.
Program for Thursday, August 8
- 10:15 AM – 18:00 PM Exhibition and sale of plants, crafts, and agroecological products.
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Practical workshop on planting agaves from seed.
- 12:30 AM – 12:45 PM Opening ceremony of the festival.
- 12:45 AM – 13:45 PM Crassulaceae propagation workshop.
- 14:45 AM – 15:45 PM Workshop on vegetative multiplication of cacti.
- 15:45 AM – 16:45 PM Terrarium creation workshop.
Program for Friday, August 9
- 09:30–10:30 (Legislative Palace, Conference Room) Keynote address on the diversity, traditional knowledge, and economic data of agave and pulque in Tlaxcala.
- 10:30–11:30 (Conference Room) Keynote lecture dedicated to caudex plants from Mexico.
- 10:15 AM – 18:00 PM Exhibition and sale of plants, crafts, and agroecological products in Plaza Benito Juárez.
- 11:30–12:30 (Stained Glass) Workshop on agave seed propagation.
- 12:30–13:30 (Stained Glass) Workshop on grafting with tubers.
- 14:30–15:30 (Stained Glass) Kokedama workshop with succulents.
- 15:30–16:30 (Conference Room) Conference on traditional knowledge of maguey and pulque in the state.
Program for Saturday, August 10
- 10:15 AM – 18:00 PM Exhibition and sale of plants, crafts, and agroecological products.
- 10:30–11:30 (Stained Glass) Story with game dynamics “Sherlock Tópez and the Missing Queen Bee.”
- 11:30–12:30 (Stained Glass) Workshop for making clay pots.
- 12:30–13:30 (Stained Glass) Seed germination workshop.
- 14:30–15:30 (Stained Glass) Children's activity "Cacti and Cacti".
- 15:30–16:30 (Conference Room) Conference dedicated to the genus Echeveria.
Workshops and conferences: what you learn
Training sessions cover essential cultivation and propagation techniques (seed sowing, grafting, vegetative propagation, kokedamas, terrariums and germination) and talks that highlight traditional knowledge, especially about maguey and pulque.
The agenda combines academic rigor and practice, with specialists from the Autonomous University of Tlaxcala and other institutions who share methodologies, conservation experiences, and best practices for collecting and caring for succulents responsibly.
Organization and collaborations
The festival is promoted by the UATx, through the Secretariat of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies and the Center for Research in Biological Sciences (CICB), together with the Tlaxcallan Ethnobiological Garden, which coordinates the activities.
APC Mexico and Planeta Mammillario join forces as participants, in addition to nursery growers, associations and social groups that have prepared a careful selection of species and related products for the entire community.
A look at the diversity of succulents
Succulents have evolved to store water in leaves, stems or roots., which allows them to survive in arid regions. Among the major groups present at the fair are agaves, cacti, and crassulaceae, all highly prized for their adaptation and ornamental value.
The agave also stands out for its productive versatility., with dozens of possible uses, while genera of succulents such as Echeveria and Sedum are protagonists due to their variability of shapes and colors, ideal for sustainable collections and gardens.
Crafts, agroecology and activities for children
Beyond the plants, the tour includes local crafts and agroecological products that focus on responsible consumption. The children's offering, with stories, games, and creative workshops, seeks to foster respect for nature among children.
The organization emphasizes the event's link to environmental education and biodiversity conservation, articulating a program with accessible and free content in several conferences, along with practical proposals for all levels.
Visitors to Plaza Benito Juárez during these three days will find a space to learn, exchange experiences, and acquire plant materials and accessories, with the support of the academic community and cultivation specialists. With the participation of researchers and coordinators from the Tlaxcalan Ethnobiological Garden, the event strengthens the organization's cultural and scientific agenda and builds a bridge between traditional knowledge and contemporary gardening practices. Everything points to an educational and engaging event to gain an in-depth understanding of succulents, their care, and their cultural and environmental value in Tlaxcala, with defined schedules, clear locations, and a program that combines theory and practice.