Learn me: Growing desert plants in not the desert

Been thinking about doing this for several years now.  I really like the high desert, but do not get enough chances to get out there, so I keep thinking of bringing a bit of it to me.  Mostly interested in Joshua Trees and other yucca plants.  Here in Ohio, there's no way they'd survive outside, so it'd be strictly indoors growing, possibly moving to the garage if height becomes an issue.  I know a Joshua Tree could eventually grow too large for indoors, but that would likely be a problem for 20-30 years in the future me.  Might also try my hand at a few aloe plants, and maybe even a small cactus.

So, I know I'd be looking at controlling soil type (rocky/sandy), soil humidity (to keep roots from rotting), and light and temperature.  But I don't know how difficult all that would be to manage, or if I am missing anything else important.  Anyone here grown desert plants indoors, and have any advice?  I'd be happy to learn.  Still not sure if/when I'd do this, but I am trying to clear some space in a spare bedroom in the house for a nice calm area, and have thought about reserving a bit of room for plants.

I grew an aloe plant in a pot. That was easy and it came in regular soil. I have no experience with growing the others.

My parents have some type of ground-dwelling yucca (TIL Joshua trees are a type of yucca...) which is perfectly happy outdoors in Zone 5b of IL, so you probably can find something that can go outside in OH.  But it is not exactly a Joshua tree.

Did a little looking into cold-hardy yucca plants.  May have to add those to the landscaping at some point.  Might keep the neighborhood kids from walking through it better than the phlox.

I grow cacti in pots. They are pretty dang tough plants. They do excellent in pots. Put them outside once it quits freezing, bring them in for winter. 

In reply to eastsideTim :

My mom and dad have a bunch of yucca plants at their house.  The care and feeding of them is basically that they don't drive over them. 

wae said:

In reply to eastsideTim :

My mom and dad have a bunch of yucca plants at their house.  The care and feeding of them is basically that they don't drive over them. 

Next time you are over there, do you mind asking them what type they are?  That is the kind of care I could easily handle on outdoor plants.

In reply to eastsideTim :

I'll ask but I suspect the answer will be "the kind that were planted here when we bought the house 35 years ago"

Mom & Dad weren't home when I stopped in earlier, but the yucca plants look like this, if that helps:

In reply to wae :

Thanks, looks like a yucca glauca, I think.  I'll have to hit up a few of the local plant nurseries and see if they sell them.  

I have a tall Yucca tree in my back yard , its over 50 years old and 10-12 ft tall , the soil around here is just sandy dirt.

I have never watered it  or feed it .........But its almost never freezes here and is normally 60 - 70s daytime temps,

And it does have freezing temps out in the desert this time of year , 

Sounds like an interesting plan

All this talk of desert plants makes me want to get a greenhouse - especially now we're in the middle of winter.

All y'all are trying to grow desert plants in "normal" climes and I'm over here trying to do the exact opposite.

I would kick a baby for my avocado trees to not die, or to get just one stonefruit. 

In reply to brandonsmash :

What variety are you growing? Most of the good ones are native to mexico.  Im getting blooms now on my mexican varieties. 

In reply to TJL (Forum Supporter) :

I think I'm trying for Hass and Fuerte right now. One is a type A, the other a B. Or one and two, whichever it is. The summers here in Phoenix are brutal: one of my two trees died last year despite the shade I used, and the other only barely survived. I replaced the dead one. It's probably a fool's errand. 

I like the Thompson red since I had never heard of them until now , 

My Avocado tree is 50 plus years old  and covers a 25ft x 25ft  patch  and is 15 plus foot tall  so really helps in the summer sun ,  but its off and on how much fruit I  get per year.

In reply to brandonsmash :

Oof, you may want to switch up to the Mexican varieties.  If "the google" is right, you have 2 of the least heat tolerant varieties. 

I have I think 8 or so varieties of the cold hardy Mexican varieties. 
i checked my list, i have joey, brogdon, poncho, day, mexicola grande, Russell, ooh-la-la, lila and fantastic. Ive had them less than a year so they are still rooting into the ground, but we do have some blooms showing up. 

That would explain a lot! I picked the varieties that the nursery said were the most heat-tolerant but, well, growing things in USDA zone 10b is quite different to the botanical needs of most of the country. 

We get some killer citrus, though! My tangelos are at peak ripeness right now.