Past eventFri., Aug. 28, 2026, 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
$100 | Registration includes lunch.
Rothenberg Hall and Plant Sale Nursery
Since 1983, The Huntington has hosted this annual gathering of succulent enthusiasts for a program of speakers on a range of topics related to this charismatic and popular group of plants. The day-long event features five presentations on various aspects of succulent botany, conservation, horticulture, and natural history. Also included are opportunities for socializing and networking over coffee and lunch, a silent auction, and a plant sale in The Huntington's succulent nursery.
For questions about this event, please contact Heather Allison at hallison@huntington.org
8:30 a.m. | Registration and Continental Breakfast
9 a.m. | Welcome Nicole Cavender, The Huntington
9:15 a.m. | “Dudleyas in situ: The Latest Finds and the Lesser Seen” Jeremy Spath, Hidden Agave
9:50 a.m. | “What is a Boojum?” Robert Villa, The Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, University of Arizona
10:35 a.m. | Break and Silent Auction Opens
11 a.m. | “Can We Save Cactus We Love? Science, Conservation, and Community Action in a Changing Climate” Tania Hernández, Desert Botanical Garden
11:45 a.m. | Lunch (Desert Garden Open)
1:45 p.m. | Celebrating the Career and Contributions of Karen Zimmerman Sean Lahmeyer, The Huntington
1:50 p.m. | “Once and Future Arabian Aloes” Tom McCoy, Temecula, CA
2:35 p.m. | Break and Auction Closes (Last chance to place bids)
3 p.m. | “The Northern and Central Andes: Cactus and Succulent Highlights” Stefan Campbell, Cactus Explorer Tours and Consulting
4:30 p.m. | Plant Sale in the Nursery Open to symposium registrants only
Top image: Sulcorebutia canigueralii, Desert Conservatory Collection. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Collections.
