Thimble Cactus Mammillaria vetula
Previously known as:
- Mammillaria fragilis
- Mammillaria gracilis
- Mammillaria vetula subsp. gracilis
- Phonetic Spelling
- mam-mil-AR-ee-uh VET-uh-luh
- Description
-
Native to Mexico, Thimble Cactus is less than 6 inches tall and in the family of Cactaceae.
This plant grows best in full sun or bright direct light, appreciating some afternoon shade in hot weather. Grow in a well-drained cactus mix; adding grit for extra drainage helps, but they are tough plants that tolerate a variety of conditions. Stop watering in the winter and move to a colder location in order to encourage flowering in the spring.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Arizona Snowcap'
dark green stems covered with short, thick white spines
- 'Arizona Snowcap'
- 'Arizona Snowcap'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Arizona Snowcap'
dark green stems covered with short, thick white spines
- 'Arizona Snowcap'
- 'Arizona Snowcap'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Mammillaria
- Species:
- vetula
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico
- Distribution:
- Mexico
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Appendage:
- Spines
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, colorful, funnel-shaped flowers (to 1/2" in diameter) that emerge from the base of the areoles, often forming a ring around the top.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Shape:
- Acicular
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Spines (modified leaves) that emerge from the areoles.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
