Gymnocalycium saglionis is known to grow very slowly, and grow best in warm and part shady conditions, but tolerate extremely bright situations although they are likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer.

Spines can grown to 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) long, colors varies from yellowish-brown, reddish or white becoming grey with time which contrast well against the green body, 1−3 centrals and 10−15 radials bent against the stem.

Fruits globular, reddish or dark pink, splits sideways with tiny, shiny black brown seeds.

The cacti's most common native habitats are withinin the Argentine provinces of Salta, Tucuman, Catamarca, San Juan, and La Rioja at elevations between 240 and 2,600 meters.

[3][4] Gymnocalycium saglionis was first described in 1847 by François Cels and named it after J. Saglio, an important plant collector in France around 1840.