Tephrocactus verschaffeltii

A small, mat-forming cactus with cylindrical segments, often placed in Austrocylindropuntia, from the high Andes of Bolivia and north-western Argentina. It needs full sun, a hard dry winter with frosty nights, and a mineral mix. Kept warm and wet it stretches and rots, while cool dry winters bring flowers.

At home, aim for

Day Cool-growingTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets 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 in high-altitude puna and prepuna grassland and scrub, on stony slopes and flats in full exposure. Plants form low clumps among grasses and rocks.

Weighted sites lie at about 2,000 to 3,500 m, and Bolivian records near La Paz go higher still.

Argentina (Northwest)Bolivia

🔒 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.