Commonly found in the deserts of central and northern Mexico this smaller species of Opuntia is reliably cold hardy as long as the roots and pads are kept dry during the colder months. The pads are pretty much spineless but the glochids radiating from the evenly spaced areoles can be irritating on softer skin so where gloves when handling. The flowers are usually produced in late spring and early summer starting off pale yellow, darkening to a golden yellow and eventually orange. These are followed by reddish green fruits that turn bright red when ripe and have a greenish pulp. Albispina has a branching habit formed by the pads but rarely forms a trunk like larger species and can reach up to around 1.5mtrs high with a 2.5mtr spread. Plant in a clay pot with a very well drained compost adding plenty of sharp sand or grit and keep in full sun. Water every few weeks during the summer allowing the compost to dry out between waterings. Watering during the winter months is not usually required.