Not such prickly customers

Cacti and succulents are easy-going to grow and care for

- Ruth Hayes

CACTI and succulents are some of the most diverse, attractive and long-lasting indoor plants.

They come in an amazing range, from varieties with vicious spikes or covered in ‘fur’, to fleshy succulents, fascinating stone-like lithops and, of course, ever-popular schlumbergera, the Christmas cactus that adds extra colour to the festive season.

They are easy to care for and cheap to buy – those tiny ‘pocket money’ plants you often see in the garden centre can grow into magnificent plants.

With the right care you will be rewarded with fast growth and beautiful flowers, even if they take a few years to mature enough to bloom.

Most varieties of cacti and succulents do best on a warm, sunny windowsill and can be grown singly or together in a large pot for greater impact.

Grow them in gritty, free-draining compost and water sparingly with tepid rain water (too much wet and they will rot from the base). Feed them monthly during the growing season.