In deserts for instance, succulent plants store water in fleshy leaves, stems or roots. All cacti are succulents, as are such non-cactus desert dwellers as agave, aloe, elephant trees, and many euphorbias.

A stomata is a tiny opening or pore that is used for gas exchange. They are mostly found on the under-surface of plant leaves. Air enters the plant through these openings. Several other adaptations such as reversal of the normal stomatal rythm are essential for a desert plant's water storage to be effective.