Ball Cactus

Cacti are used to hot dry conditions and thrive indoors in a warm room. A sunny windowsill is ideal, but your plant will tolerate a range of conditions if it is protected from temperatures under 8˚C.

These plants are native to the desert, so they will not need much water. Water a small amount (around a quarter of a teacup) every week or so to keep the flesh a healthy green.

These plants are quite slow growers and their size can easily be contained by a small pot. To encourage growth, repot your plant once a year. In a sunny spot your cactus should eventually produce colourful blooms.

Cactus plants are pretty resistant to neglect. However, if your plant does start looking sorry for itself, remove any dead or soft leaves, spines or patches and move to a sunnier position. Shrivelling can be a sign of under watering so try watering more regularly. On the flip side, mould at the base or the bottom of the leaves is a sign of over watering or too damp a position, so try a sunnier, airier room and let it dry out for a good week or two before watering.