Part sun is best for this mountain dweller, but don’t over-shade it. Make sure it gets at least morning sun and avoid reflective heat. This species requires low water when established but water once a month in summer to keep plants looking healthy. Drainage is always important for cacti but this species in particular wants very good drainage. This is a very cold hardy cactus that can tolerate cold down to 10°F.

Pollinated by hummingbirds. Various birds and other animals and insects eat the fruit.

There are 11 species in the genus Oreocereus known only from high altitudes of the Andes. Its name means "mountain cereus", formed from the Greek prefix oreo- (mountain) and the Neo-Latin cereus, meaning wax or torch. The specific epithet "celsianus honors Jacques Philippe Martin Cels (1740-1806), a French botanist specializing in horticulture.

It occurs naturally in semi-arid Andean region in sceltered sites on rocky, well-drained soils among high mountains, mostly in slopes with orientation to the east and north. It is often the only emerging plants between the low Xerophyte Puna-Vegetation. It flourishes in areas characterized by a cold and dry climate in winter and warm with rare rainfalls in summer. Native to the high lands of the Andes in South America at 8,000-13,000’.