Cleistocactus winteri is a branching cactus with cylindrical trailing or pendant stems covered with many short golden spines. The stems grow up to 40 inches (1 m) long and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Flowers are vivid orange to salmon-pink, up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long, up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. They are repetitively and freely produced on mature plants from spring to summer and can last several days.
Hildewintera aureispina prefers to stay on the dry side. In the summer, water them only when the soil has dried out completely.
Apply a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer monthly, diluted at half strength during the summer months.
It need a well drained soil mix. Water regularly in summer but allow to dry fully before watering again. During the winter months they should be rather kept dry. Since they are rapid growers need plenty of space for their roots, repotting should be done every other year or when the plant has outgrown its pot.
This plant thrives in environments between 65 to 80 ºF. Night time temperatures can go down to 60 ºF.