Such a charming little plant! I've grown this on my south-facing windowsill for 8+ years. It increases slowly in both size and complexity, with little nubs forming on the spires and then themselves growing up into new spires. In cold winter weather, I've learned to move it back from the window, or you'll get some pale/tan areas of damage (it greens up again when you move it to a warmer spot). Although this cactus has loads of little spines, if you handle it gently you don't get prickled. I recently broke off a number of "spires" around the outer part of the base, both to bring the plant back in proportion with its pot and to have some pieces to share. If you grab a "finger" and gently wriggle/tug it loose, working as close to the base of the plant as possible, you'll get a piece that either has roots or will root readily. (If you've ever separated a banana "pup," that's basically what I did, on a smaller scale.) My plant started from 3 "fingers" shared by a friend, and now I've shared it in turn!

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I got a 2" plant in a trade 2 years ago. I was excited to add this unusual succulent to my collection that thrives on a baker's rack on my porch protected from rain. I water them all with rain water I collect. It's grown well but very slow on my porch, where it gets bright light all day. It has grown an inch taller and broader in the 2 years. It lost a side growth last year from overwatering that caused it to rot. This past year I have hardly watered it at all. A few drops a week is all it needs. We are humid here in south Louisiana, so that must give it moisture.

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