I grow the native Opuntia humifusa but of course it stays outside all year. Opuntia brasiliensis is one of my houseplants with the nastiest thorns ever. The little barb ends stick to you with the slightest touch but it is becoming quite large now and blooming so I tolerate it. I have a few small ones that put up with my winter abuse. My bay plant is Laurus nobilis. Being an evergreen that is hardy to zone 7 I keep it inside in my garage where the temperature gets to 38 like this winter. It sits by the window and gets morning sun and bright light the rest of the day. I give it very little water over the cold months since it is not growing and each April I move it outside until the first hard frost. I keep horticulture cloth over it if there is frost in spring and fall. Each spring as the new buds begin to swell I cut back the tallest branch to keep it at 5'. Try cutting back your taller trees. It makes the branch out fuller. My allspice tree needs a warm climate and it is a true winter houseplant. I give it as much sun as possible and do not water it until it is dry for a few days but before it begins to wilt.
