Origin
The Tephrocactus papyracanthus, also known as the Paper Spine Cactus, originates from South America, particularly Argentina. The arid desert regions of the provinces Salta, Catamarca and Jujuy form the natural habitat of this cactus.

Characteristics
The Tephrocactus papyracanthus is a member of the cactus family. Its name, papyracanthus, refers to the long, thin, paper-like spines that characterise the plant. The cactus can grow up to 30 centimetres high and has grey-green, spherical segments that can become up to 3 centimetres in diameter. This plant blooms with white or very light-coloured flowers.

Care
The Tephrocactus papyracanthus is an easy plant to grow, providing it gets the right conditions. It thrives best under full sun and with a well-drained soil mixture. In general, the cactus needs little water, as it is naturally adapted to dry conditions. It is important to be cautious with overwatering, as this can cause rot. Furthermore, the plant requires a minimum temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius to survive in colder months. Lastly, the Tephrocactus papyracanthus can be propagated by letting the segments that fall off and land on the ground take root.