Succulent Thefts On the Increase in Pacific Palisades

Various succulent plants, which are drought-resistant and becoming increasingly popular in landscaping, are being snatched at various locations in Pacific Palisades.

Marquez Knolls resident Haldis Toppel, who sends out electronic community advisory messages, reported on November 5: “There have been increasing reports in the neighborhood about stolen plants, especially succulents. Some were taken with roots; some succulents were cut at the bottom and removed. Some succulents have medicinal value, others are rather expensive to purchase, especially when they are mature and large. The plants grow slowly.”

At the east Marquez/Sunset landscaped traffic island adopted by PRIDE, a nonprofit organization committed to the beautification of Pacific Palisades, several succulents were stolen (with roots), and lavender wascutoff so low that the plants died.

The organization also reported that succulents have been stolen from other areas in the Palisades that they planted and support.

David Card, who oversaw the Rotary Club’s landscaping and planting project at the corner of PCH and Temescal Canyon Road, reported on November 5: “Officer Moore, I just sent in a ‘Los Angeles Crime Stoppers’ tip . . . There was theft of an aloe arborescens ‘Lutea’, or golden torch aloe-plant at the Pump Station on Temescal at PCH. I noticed it was missing a few weeks ago.