PRICKLY passions

Weird, wonderful cacti make supremely well-behaved houseplants

- CHRIS MORLEY

Funky shapes

If you're looking for some houseplants that are quirky and low maintenance, cacti and succulents are hard to beat. Their funky forms – from spiked pincushions to spiralling columns – bring instant character to a room. Most hail from hot, dry regions so are naturally resilient; no regular watering, pruning or misting required. Select a star specimen as a focal point on a shelf or group several together to make a fascinating desertscape.

Spiky characters