The crown of thorns cactus is an evergreen woody perennial shrub with clusters of small, fabulous flowers and lush, thick, grey-green leaves. The plant derives its name from the large, sharp succulent, woody stems it produces that can reach a height of 3 feet and has spines about 1 inch long that cover the stems. These thick stems store water in their thick, fleshy tubers making the plant exceptionally drought-resistant.  They’re a good choice for outdoor beds, mixed with other succulent varieties or as an indoor plant near a sunny window. The plant blooms from spring to late summer, producing tiny, flowers grasped in two bright red, fused bracts.