It is borderline hardy and only reliably tolerates light frost down to roughly -3 to -5C, and only when kept dry. In most of the UK it is best grown in a pot that can be moved into a cold greenhouse, porch or conservatory over winter, or given a sheltered, very free-draining spot with overhead protection from winter wet.

Give it as much sun as possible. A bright, south or west-facing position produces the tightest, most compact rosettes and the best leaf colour. In shade the plant becomes loose and soft and is far more vulnerable to rot.

'Nana' is a compact, slow-growing form that stays much smaller than the species, typically reaching around 20-30cm across over many years. It slowly clumps up by producing offsets, forming a neat dome of spiky rosettes rather than a single large plant.

Yes, container growing is ideal in the UK. Use a deep pot with a gritty, free-draining cactus or succulent compost, water sparingly in summer and keep almost dry in winter. Growing in a pot also lets you move it under cover when hard frost threatens.

The main hazard is physical: every leaf ends in a sharp spine, so site it away from paths and play areas. The sap can also irritate skin and eyes, so wear gloves when handling. It is not considered seriously poisonous if nibbled, but it is sensible to keep curious pets and children at a distance.

We always aim to make sure our customers love our products, but if you do need to return an order within 14 days of purchase (not including plants*), or any items are damaged, we’re happy to help. Just email us directly at hello@growtropicals.com, and we’ll take you through the process. 

Please note: we cannot be held liable for any packaging costs should the original packaging be discarded.

*Unfortunately we cannot accept returns of undamaged plants as these are perishable items and are not saleable upon return. If a plant is damaged, we will compensate for this as per our live arrival guarantee.

When placing your order, you can choose from three dispatch speeds to suit your needs: Economy (prepared and shipped within 4-5 days), Standard (3-5 days), or Express (dispatched the very next day). Please keep in mind that "dispatch" refers to the time it takes our team to prepare and pack your items before handing them over to the courier, not the total delivery time.

Shipping costs are based on your total order value and will be calculated at checkout, with free shipping automatically applied to all orders over £60. For a full breakdown of shipping prices please see our help center here.

Additionally, to protect the health and quality of our live plants, orders containing plants are exclusively shipped Monday through Thursday. This careful scheduling prevents your plants from being stuck in a dark shipping depot over the weekend, ensuring they arrive at your door vibrant and healthy.