The paper spine cactus should be watered sparingly in both winter and summer, with less irrigation as light decreases. Water deeply, but allow soil to completely dry in between waterings. Well-draining cactus or succulent soil is necessary in order to prevent root rot. However, regular potting soil can also be used if supplemented with 70 to 80% sand, pumice, or perlite. Additionally, a neutral pH of 6.1 to 7.8 should be maintained.
The paper spine cactus requires as much full, direct sun as possible to prevent thin stems. If flowering is desired, and for the best growth, 10-12 hours of direct light should be provided daily. Protect from cold, as this species is frost sensitive and only hardy to 15°F for brief periods (USDA hardiness zones 8b to 10b).
Care should be taken when handling, as the segments are very easily detached from the parent plant. For this reason, specimens often do not reach flowering height in cultivation, and propagation through seed is difficult to achieve. Other methods of propagation include through woody stem cuttings, segments, offsets, and seed, although flowering is difficult to achieve. The easiest method of propagation is either through offsets – which are readily produced by the parent plant – or through the segments, which easily root after being removed.
