A craving for cactus at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona

Collectibles that require little maintenance other than a few drops of water now and then, cacti—a group of plants that includes up to 1 500 different species—are a feature of snazzy decorating schemes in showrooms, concept stores, restaurants, villas, and apartments. In France, florists and garden stores now offer a wide variety of shapes and sizes of these prickly plants to make your home even more beautiful.

Cactus : a botanical passion in Arizona

On the other side of the Atlantic, the Desert Botanical Garden, which sprawls across 57 hectares nestled amidst the Arizonian canyons, is home to the largest collection of cacti families in the world. Since it opened in 1939, 4000 species and around 30 000 cacti have been cultivated in the garden in a natural setting. With special care taken to protect biodiversity, this open-air museum offers visitors a place for recreation and relaxation.

The perfectly organised plant beds blend in with the surrounding desert. © Adam Rodriguez

Each species on display in the garden is described in great detail. Visitors are also provided with tips on how to grow the cactus at home. © Adam Rodriguez

An ecosystem within a fun fair

To provide guests with a one-of-a-kind experience in this unique garden, the site includes a research centre for the study of plants of unknown origin, hiking trails, gardening sessions about the surrounding ecosystem, a library dedicated to desert plant horticulture, reception areas, a gift shop, and even a restaurant where you can taste cacti-based recipes prepared by a talented chef. You clearly can’t have too much of a good thing !

Watch out… some cacti are so perfect for your home that they’ll sink their hooks into you ! © Adam Rodriguez

At night, a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden is even more romantic. © Adam Rodriguez