Tephrocactus nigrispinus

A small, low, segmented opuntioid cactus of the high Puna of north-west Argentina, southern Bolivia and northern Chile, recognised by its dark spines. It needs very strong light, a cold and bone-dry winter, and a lean mineral soil; soft, warm, wet culture rots it.

At home, aim for

Day Cool-growingTargets in Plantistry

Night A clear drop at nightTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Dry airBand in Plantistry

Light Full sunDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal restGrows in the ground

Where it grows wild

Grows on open, stony slopes and plains of the high Andean Puna among sparse grasses and dwarf shrubs, in full exposure to sun, wind and cold nights. Detail generalised from the genus and the recorded sites.

Recorded at about 3370–3770 m (median 3440 m, 5 records); the climate sites sit at 3200–3800 m.

Argentina NorthwestBoliviaChile North

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.