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3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Silver Jade Tree. Sage coloured bush slowly to 1 metre plus. White flowers in early winter. OK in pot or garden, indoors or outdoors. Easy plant but needs brightest light for good colours.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

One of the best Crassula hybrids. Symmetrical columns of densely stacked leaves to 15cm high. Flowers pinkish in dense clusters at stem tip. Indoors only in bright indirect light.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Forms dense, square stacks of leaves like a miniature village of pagodas. Stems elongate when the plant produces its small stinky white flowers. Cut back hard after flowering. For rockery or pot.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Pink-flowered cultivar of Jade Tree. Flowers profusely in early winter, in a pot or planted out in the garden. Bright sun & potbound for yellower leaves.

2.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK, easy to grow.

Comments later, too busy right now!

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Hybrid, released 2008, kinda looks like C. 'Morgans Pink' on steroids. Forms a tower to 30cm high and 10cm diameter! Scented flowers are pink in large corymbs in spring. Easy to grow, indoors anyway. Try in sheltered rockery.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Mutant ascidiate form of the common Jade Tree. Thick trunk with contorted branches and leaves to 60cm height. OK inside or outside, in pot or garden.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Densely packed grey leaves forming small columns to 15cm. Flowers in dense groups at the apex in winter, whitish in colour. Indoors only in brightest position.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Comments later, too busy right now!

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Closely stacked fat grey leaves forming small columns to 20cm. Flowers in dense groups at the apex in winter, whitish in colour. Indoors only in brightest position.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Highly recommended hybrid miniature. Papillose leaves and gorgeously scented showy pink flowers in late winter. Brightest light needed for tight form. Outdoors in best position perhaps???

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Jade Tree. Feng-shui has one at the front door to keep the good luck in. Try one at each window too, to keep the hort industry strong. Bright sun & potbound for yellower leaves.

2.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK, easy to grow.

Cute miniature sprawler, rebranching and rerooting at intervals, and looking like a deranged family of crazy green caterpillars playing Twister. Probably only OK in ground in very sheltered well-drained position. Cream flowers in autumn.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Variegated form of Crassula 'Skytower'. Yellow and pink colours are at their most intense in spring and change subtly during the rest of the year. Easy to grow in bright light.

2.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK, easy to grow.

Dense low mat-forming species from shaded rock faces in South Africa’s eastern Cape. Untried outdoors but probably OK in a rock garden or similar. Small heads of tiny white flowers in spring.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Vining lump plant of great character.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

An archetypical pachycaul from the Grape Family, this classically fat nubile Namibian will peel off its bark for you at regular intervals. Huge summer leaves, ghostly torso in winter. Withhold water when leafless. Indoors only.

6.Indoors OK, but not for beginners, Outdoors not OK.

Spiralling leaves in spring from a slowgrowing bulb. Later, white flowers like a freesia with no flair for colour. Seedpods split open triangularily, and proffer the dry black seeds to the restless wind. Untried outdoors, but OK in Africa.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Long narrow toothed leaves pour from the apex of the well-protected trunk. Inflorescence is 4 metres height, complex and awe-inspiring. Easy to grow outdoors where you have space and good drainage, loves good soil.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Dwarf tree with swollen contorted trunk of characterful shape, and in summer a round crown of small leguminoidal leaflets. Leafless in winter. Easy, so far, but safest treated as an indoor plant for NZ's winter, at least until we know better.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Apologies, but there is some confusion about the species represented in these pics.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Remarkable tree from the spiny dry forest of southern Madagascar, to 6 metres in height. Columnar at first, later branching. Keep mostly dry during its long dormancy in winter but needs water when leafy and growing.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Yellow flowered mesem from South Africa. Mimics chalky-white quartz pebbles in very dry stony deserts, so it needs VERY little water all year round. Only water when wrinkles appear. Bright light, and cool pot to keep roots alive.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Yellow flowered mesem from South Africa. Globose leaves mimic pebbles in very dry stony deserts, so it needs VERY little water at all times, and bright light. Only water when wrinkles appear. A cool pot helps to keep roots alive.

6.Indoors OK, but not for beginners, Outdoors not OK.

Blue spots on a chalky skin set this naughty little pebble-mimicker apart. Bright light lover. Water sparingly and with restraint and really quite a small amount, and only if skin wrinkles but not before. Needs little water, not much at all at all.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

From a buried caudex comes in summer a vigorous thorny vine. Flowers are numerous and small. Leafless in winter, when keep it dry.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

(syn. Testudinaria) Tortoise Plant. Annual vines from a caudex which is woody-looking but succulent within. Withhold water as vines die down, but otherwise likes water. Caudex in shade, vine in medium light.

7.Winter grower. Needs water in winter, not summer.

New Zealand's native mesem, common on coastal rocks, cliffs etc. Small yellow flowers.

1.Outdoors only, (grows weakly indoors).

Stumpy little pachycaul succulent from tropical Africa. To 20cm high. Flowers ultra-tiny within a bizarre and so cool star-shaped hypanthodium. Indoors only in bright light. Keep dry in winter if leaves drop.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Canary Islands Dragon Tree (neither fire breathing nor aggressive!). Slowly becomes a many-branched tree. Lives to a great age (1000 years+). Easy to grow, full sun or part shade. Tolerates light frosts.

2.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK, easy to grow.

Stunning chalky-white rosettes to 50cm across. Native to Baja California. Avoid getting water in rosette to preserve pristine looks. Fast-growing in bright light/full sun. OK in the garden in frost-free areas. Dazzle your visitors!

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Once known as D.'White Sprite' but now known as a species from the wild. Forms a tiny much-branched shrublet with fantastic 'form', a real charmer. Possibly OK in warm rockery crevices, where it would look fabulous!

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

This large-rosetted farinaceously white Dudleya is unusual in having red flowers. Winter-growing so keep dry in summer if possible.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Ground dwelling ("terrestrial") bromeliad to 30cms, offsetting to create a low clump. Stiff narrow leaves, either reddish or silvery. Bright orange flowers on long stems. Good outdoors in bright light or half-shade.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Choice ground-living succulent bromeliad with silvery leaves and enchanted teeth. Eventually it offsets slowly. Grow as a succulent, outdoors OK if well-drained, and free from cats & other vermin.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

The brash might call it breathtakingly beautiful but this brazenly bronzed Brazilian bromeliad is a bugger to weed. Full sun for best colour. Flowers bright orange in summer. Easy to grow in well drained frost-free area.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Large hybrid Echeveria with lovely red & purple toned rosette to 40 cm+ diameter. Repot regularly for best results. Excellent outdoor subject. Brightest light for good form & colours.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Medium sized rosette, being a hybrid with affinis affinity. Green-black leaves, suitable for rock garden or pots. Needs full sun for best black colour. Blood red flowers on arching leafy stem.

2.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK, easy to grow.

A Frank Reinelt hybrid which forms slightly blue, crinkly-leaved rosettes to about 25cm diameter with few offsets. Easy to grow, suits bright well drained frost-free location.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Often called 'Mexican Giant' but probably E.colorata from Mexico. Reportedly gets to 50cm across. sensitive to overwatering. In or out, in bright light. Avoid fingermarks if possible.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Rumpled Foreskin Plant. Fascinating carunculations force the leaves into their bizarre tubular shape. Grow in bright light, and refrain from fingering the foreskins as they will mark easily.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Fairly large rosettes of shiny green leaves often infused with bright red tints. Great for outdoor gardens and rockeries in well drained sunny position. Protect from slugs and snails.

2.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK, easy to grow.

Choice slow-growing plant with variably mutating leaves showing stripes and indented leaf edges.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Popular and beautiful cultivar with pink-edged delicately crinkled leaves.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Form or cultivar of Echeveria gilva. Compact rosettes to 15cm across suffused with red tones. Flowers orange, small, insignificant. Best in bright light with good drainage. OK outdoors.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Medium sized rosette, being a hybrid with affinis affinity. Dark green-brown leaves, suitable for rock garden or pots. Needs full sun for best Cadbury colours. Blood red flowers on arching leafy stem.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Light grey precisely circular rosettes.

2.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK, easy to grow.

Beautifully symmetrical lilac-tinged rosette to 25 cm diameter, and easy to grow. Leaf tip is indescribable but always appealing. Bright indoors position or OK outdoors in a pot or in the garden.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Choice hybrid, named for its gorgeous volcanic colours. Expect marvellous blood-red carunculations on the older leaves. Repot regularly. Bright light. Outdoors in the garden it reddens in winter.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Marvellously carunculated (means like a warty old scrotum) leaves of a rich blue-purple colour form a heavy rosette atop a stout stem to 50cm. Needs brightest light for best colours and shape.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

That is, the Pearl of Nuremburg hybrid. Medium-sized rosette noted for its purple leaf colour which intensifies beautifully in strong light. OK inside & out, in a pot or in the ground.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Beautiful, nearly white, pruinose rosette which offsets freely and is very frost hardy. Mother of cultivar Topsy Turvy. Useful plant in the garden or rockery. Flowers bright orange.

2.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK, easy to grow.

Large growing rosette, a bit like Echeveria 'Ruby Lips'.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Vertical silvery trunks distinguish this rather untypical Echeveria. Leaves red-edged, and flowers orange and relatively large. Vigorous and easy outdoors.

2.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK, easy to grow.

Thick almost cylindrical leaves form a whitey-grey rosette to about 20cms diameter (on a wellgrown older one). Indoor plant for pot. Needs bright light.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

An attractive red-toned form of E.agavoides. Easy to grow.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Stunning hybrid that develops its best colours late winter/early spring. Rosettes to 40cm across, usually without offsets. Best in bright light. Re-pot regularly to maintain good growth. OK outdoors.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

White Barrel Cactus. A variant of the Golden Barrel, grows slowly to 1m diameter. Water once a month but not at all in the cold of winter. Needs bright light for good spination. If outdoors give warmest position, best drainage etc.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Largest of all globular cacti; to about 1 tonne in time (lots of time). More ribs arrive at the shoulder every year, up to 55 ribs later, for your grandkids to count. Keep in bright light and dry in winter and water sparingly otherwise.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Big flowers!

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

A beautiful cactus.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Spineless rarity!

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Schick hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Huge trumpet-shaped flowers in summer. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Schick hybrid. Huge flowers w. layered salmon petals, giving an unusual flat profile. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Schick hybrid. 125mm diameter light salmon flowers in spring. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus, liking free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Schick hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Schick hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

CC hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

A Howard E. Gates hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

CC hybrid. Delicate 22 x 11 cm flowers, pure lavendar inner to plum outer petals, in spring. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Schick hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Schick hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Schick hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Paramount hybrid. Huge orange trumpet-shaped flowers in summer. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors or in the garden in many areas.

2.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK, easy to grow.

Schick hybrid. Small (9 cm) carmine-red many-petalled flowers in summer. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

CC hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

CC hybrid. This one very beautiful and scented. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Schick hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Schick hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Naked bodies with huge white flowers in summer. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Schick hybrid. Huge apricot trumpet-shaped flowers in summer. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

CC hybrid. Echinopsis are like mini-Trichocereus and like a big pot or free rootrun. They scar when underpotted or underwatered. OK outdoors in garden in many areas.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Rare stapeliad from dry areas of northern Africa. Forms dense mats of spiny stems with extremely beautiful star-shaped flowers patterned like a Persian carpet. Indoors only in bright warm position.

6.Indoors OK, but not for beginners, Outdoors not OK.

Epiphyllum hybrid with large pink flowers. Suits hanging basket in mild to hot temps and low to bright light. Likes water when hot.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Very slow growing Mexican miniature needing restrained watering and high light levels. Spination merits close inspection. Bright red fruit are a bonus also. Indoors only.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Formerly Neoporteria multicolor, this form (of a polymorphic Chilean species) has a birdsnest-like tangle of straw-yellow curving spines and brilliant large dayglow pink flowers in spring. Coldhardy if kept dry in winter.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Slow growing, solitary, black spined cactus from coastal deserts of northern Chile. Flowers bicoloured pink and pale yellow. Needs excellent drainage and not too much water. Bright light, indoors only.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Stunning white hairy columns soon basally branching and reaching slowly to 1 metre plus. Light yellow wool marks the arrival of the flowering cephalium. Not a difficult plant but probably not keen on cold wet soil in winter.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Small spiny shrub needing water when growing, (and none if dead). Rows of beads of tiny bright yellow flowers dot the stems making a cheery sight in winter. Indoors only in bright light.

5.Indoors OK, Outdoors not OK.

Variegated form of a southern Arabian Euphorbia species which reaches 10m in ht. Easy to grow in a pot in bright light with regular repotting. Or worth trying in a warm sheltered outdoor position, even in the ground.

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.

Sculpturally formed outdoor shrub to 1m x 1m., with naked trunk and much-branched crown. Many clusters of burgundy flowers in late winter. Looks at its best in winter.

2.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK, easy to grow.

Recent discovery from Madagascar. Thorny branches only a few cm high, then spreading horizontally. Flowers small, green or brownish. Leaves drop in winter when it should be kept fairly dry. Indoors only, full sun.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

S.Africa. Deciduous summer leaves and green flowers adorn the top of the thick, eventually columnar, pineapple-like stem. Withhold water when leafless. In NZ a house plant only.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Zigzagged ribs on multi-branched succulent bush from Kenya and Tanzania. Best grown in very bright light for tight, compact growth. Only grow outdoors if area is v. warm and sunny, otherwise good indoor pot subject.

4.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK only if protected from winter rain.

Cactus-looking succulent from the Canary Islands. To 3 metres, probably less in NZ, slightly frost-tolerant but keep in warm position. If potgrown keep repotted regularly (max 2 yrs).

3.Indoors OK, Outdoors OK in warm, well-drained position in mild areas.