The golden barrel cactus is a living sculpture: a plump green globe ribbed top to bottom and armored in golden-yellow spines that seem to glow in sunlight. Native to central Mexico, it grows slowly and only gets more impressive with age.

Give it your sunniest spot, a gritty cactus mix, and restraint with the watering can; let the soil dry completely between drinks, and keep it nearly dry in winter. Protect it from frost. It's about as low-maintenance as a houseplant gets.