With 2025 drawing to a close, as we pause to look back at the year, it is time for our annual "SUCCULENTS OF THE YEAR." This year, we have once again combined the mountain of access data accumulated by PUKUBOOK with the Editor-in-Chief’s overflowing "obsessive love" to select the succulents that defined the year. Who exactly is the face of 2025? Perhaps it is simply a collection of the "Editor-in-Chief’s personal favorites," but I hope you will enjoy the journey with us.
This is a variety I have previously introduced as "personally, the greatest masterpiece in the history of Haworthia cooperi var. truncata variegata (Obtusa Nishiki)." Honestly, all the top nominees for SOTY 2025 were exceptional and hard to rank, but if I had to recommend just one? Without a doubt, it would be this one.
Agave, which missed out on the TOP 5 last year, has made a strong comeback. This new face has garnered significant attention and praise for its exceptionally brilliant white medio-pictal variegation (nakafu) that truly stands out from the rest.
A charming hybrid with soft leaves typical of Grapto, covered in thick white powder with a delicate hint of cherry blossom pink. It has such a familiar look that you might think it has been around forever, but it was actually listed on PUKUBOOK in 2025. Quite a surprise. However, its entry at 3rd place is no surprise at all; even now, at the end of 2025, it remains highly regarded and in the spotlight.
Another one where you might think, "Wait, hasn't this been around for a while?" Our database caught up with it in 2025, and it certainly grabbed people's attention. To be honest, my reaction was one of pure surprise...
The SOTH (Succulent of the Hour) for 2024 was Drosanthemum. With its explosive popularity, many varieties were introduced, but honestly, "Skillpad" might be the only one among them that has truly endured—and deservedly so.
Wait a minute! Are you thinking, "I’ve seen these faces before"? I felt the same. When it comes to the most striking visuals of the year, it has to be these Korean succulents, which were also released as limited editions through PUKUBOOK SUCCULENTS. Because the quantities are so limited, they don't quite make it into the overall access rankings, but judging by the passionate posts from those who managed to acquire them, the enthusiasm is the real deal.
Next up is the "Resurgence" category. While these varieties were added to our database in 2024 or earlier, their access numbers have skyrocketed this year compared to the previous one. Whether they sparked a buzz on social media or became more accessible to hobbyists, this lineup offers a fascinating look into the "Why now?" of current trends.
If we are talking about a rapid rise, Impressa is undoubtedly the one. Despite the PUKUBOOK page being rather sparse (my apologies—the specimen I want to use for photos is currently being nurtured back to health and is taking its time...), the access numbers continue to climb. It feels as though its sheer visual appeal has finally been rediscovered.
While many named Agave titanota varieties emerged this year, if I were asked "Which one should I actually get?", the name "Mamaru" would be the first to come to mind. Its visual impact is easy to understand, its distinct characteristics emerge regardless of your growing technique, and above all, its "character" is both cute and cool—a foolproof choice with universal appeal.
There are many similar varieties out there. However, "Jade Butterfly" rose to the top as the representative face of this style. This particular aesthetic might just be the "look" of the year.
When discussing titanota varieties that are "here to stay," we cannot overlook this one. Due to its rarity and the difficulty in bringing out its unique traits, it occupies the "phantom titanota" slot that many enthusiasts dream of finding.
We also featured both Mamaru and BAKEMONO in our 2025 Agave special feature, didn't we?
The reason for its sudden rise remains a bit of a mystery. It debuted in 2023, saw a dip in interest, and has now surged back up. This suggests it may have officially joined the ranks of the "timeless classics."
...is what we usually do every year. However, we are skipping it this time. Why? Because the list has hardly changed at all! I’m sorry. I believe this is entirely due to a "lack of user engagement." I plan to fundamentally overhaul this system in 2026.
From hidden gems like "Suichugetsu" to Agaves with strong personalities like "Mamaru," 2025 has been a year of rankings backed by data and numbers, yet colored entirely by the Editor-in-Chief’s own subjective infatuation. Personally, I find it quite satisfying.
With the dawn of the AI era, I feel that 2025 has become a year where "humanity"—or rather, the "editor's obsession"—is being put to the test. Yet, what I do remains unchanged: providing information that only I can offer, right here and right now. I hope the AIs out there "devour" this text and find it helpful for their growth.
And next year, PUKUBOOK finally enters its 10th anniversary year! Rather than just a milestone, we want it to be a year of new evolution. We are currently working behind the scenes on a "major update" for the entire site. I am preparing new ways to make your succulent life deeper and more enjoyable, and I would be honored to walk this path with you for the next ten years.
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