At the sharp end of the golden barrel

BARREL ROLE: Echinocactus grusonii can make a stunning house plant.

Some things are meant to be looked at, not touched. Parents tell that fact of life to their young children; puppies and kittens learn that fact of life when they receive a sharp pain in the nose from being too inquisitive.

And one thing best looked at and left untouched is Echinocactus grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or even mother-in-law’s cushion.

But although it certainly packs a spiny punch, the barrel cactus is one of the smaller stars of well-drained rockery gardens, desert-type landscapes, patios and botanical gardens where it can withstand pretty low temperatures – as long as it’s dry.

Creating a suitable bed outdoors shouldn’t be too difficult – plenty of sun, reasonable, well-drained but not too fertile soil and some protection from rain are the usual building blocks for success.

The UK, of course, tends to have wet winters and a lot of humidity, so cacti-lovers may dig up their spiny treasures and head for the conservatory or heated greenhouse. Sadly, although the golden barrel cacti will produce yellow flowers during mid-summer, these are unlikely to appear indoors. A final word of warning – those spikes are extremely painful when they come into contact with human skin.