Desert cactus lack the leaves that serve as the plant's growth factories, which reduces the amount of green tissue capable of photosynthesis. They consequently grow slowly. One of the most crucial cactus adaptations for surviving in the desert, where conditions are challenging and unpredictable, is a slow metabolism. Cacti can focus on maintaining the structures and behaviours that aid in their survival rather than focusing their energy on producing the foliage that other plants require, to maintain their more rapid development. Cacti have grown to their greatest advantage by taking it easy and being able to thrive with fewer resources because desert settings frequently have poor soil fertility in addition to minimal rainfall.