BellinaCollecting Tephrocactus Geometricus in Canada, A Rare Cactus Journey
As a cactus enthusiast living in Canada, finding Tephrocactus geometricus feels like discovering a hidden treasure. This uncommon cactus, known for its round, geometric segments and paper-like spines, isn’t something you just stumble upon at your local nursery. With Canada’s cooler climate and limited cactus availability, acquiring one often becomes a mission.
I’m always on the hunt, visiting plant shops, filming content for my YouTube channel, and browsing online plant communities. Despite my regular outings, I rarely find Tephrocactus geometricus in store. One of my lucky finds was at a greenhouse in Mississauga. It’s one of the only retail locations where I’ve ever seen this plant in person. The paper spine variety I picked up there is still thriving today.
Most of my Tephrocactus came from online sources. While buying plants online is convenient, it comes with risks. Photos don’t always reflect the true size, and shipping stress can impact plant health. Still, one vendor I trust is Thang Plants, which runs a reliable Facebook pre-order system. Thang does a great job of managing expectations, providing accurate measurements. Sometimes he even sends larger-than-listed specimens.
I currently have five Tephrocactus geometricus in my collection. One from Mississauga, one from the Toronto Cactus and Succulent Show, and three from Thang’s pre-orders. My favorites are from the pre-order batch. I have a purple “Diablo” variety, a golden spine version, and a standard two-headed form. All have adapted well to life on my sunny balcony.
In summer, they receive 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily from a south-facing exposure. Initially, I was hesitant to give them so much light, but they’ve responded well. I water them every 3 to 5 days, more frequently during warm, dry spells. When their segments start to shrivel slightly with faint crease lines, I know it’s time to water.
I repotted them in a well-draining cactus mix enriched with perlite and slow-release fertilizer. I also supplement with diluted liquid fertilizer during the growing season to encourage new heads.
Once night temperatures drop below 10°C (50°F) in fall, I bring the plants indoors and reduce watering to every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on sunlight. Indoors, they sit near the brightest window. If I didn’t have a south-facing window, I’d use a grow light to supplement.
These cacti are not only low maintenance. They’re incredibly rewarding. Watching them grow and multiply is deeply satisfying, especially knowing how rare they are here in Canada.
Summary Care Guide for Tephrocactus geometricus
Light: Full sun. Ideally south-facing exposure
Water: Every 3 to 5 days in summer. Every 1 to 2 weeks in winter
Soil: Well-draining cactus mix with perlite
Fertilizer: Slow-release, plus diluted liquid feed in growing season
Temperature: Outdoors when nights are above 10°C (50°F). Indoors below that
Growth: Low maintenance. Slow-growing but rewarding
