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Mammillaria

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Cactus
  • Melocactus
Phonetic Spelling
mam-mil-LARE-ee-ah
Description

Mammillaria is a genus of 147 accepted species in the cactus family (Cactaceae) and many are popular to grow as houseplants. The species in this genus are native to the Central and Southwestern United States to Colombia and the Caribbean to Venezuela. The plants may be spherical or cylindrical and have colorful flowers. The genus name, Mammillaria, is derived from the Latin word, mammilla, that means "nipple" and references the tubercles appearance.

These plants grow best in full sun or bright direct light and appreciate some afternoon shade in hot weather. Grow them in a well-drained cactus mix with added grit or coarse sand to encourage adequate drainage. They are tough plants and can tolerate a variety of conditions. These plants thrive in temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter, these plants go dormant and then prefer temperatures between 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will encourage flowering in the spring. They are cold intolerant and should be brought indoors during the winter months. Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings, but during its dormant period suspend all watering. Repotting may be required every 2 to 3 years. Seeds and dividing offsets or pups is the easiest way to propagate these plants. 

Mammillarias are small and may be globose or short cylinder-like stems. They may occur solitary or form clumps. Some species form mounds of stems that measure over 3 feet in diameter. The stems vary in size depending on the species and can measure 0.4 to 16 inches tall and  0.4 to  8 inches wide. Each species has tubercles with aeroles and spines. The spines may be straight or hooked. Some species are woolly and hairy. The flowers are funnel-shaped, range in colors of white, green, yellow, pink, or red and usually have a dark colored mid-stripe. The flowers often form a ring or halo around the top of the plant. Blooms occur in the second year of the plants growth, and the season of flowering is dependent on the species. The fruits are usually red and club-shaped, while others may be white, yellow, green, or magenta. Some species produce edible fruits while others have a very unpleasant taste.

Mammillarias are non-toxic to humans and pets, low maintenance, and easy to grow; however, the spines are sharp and may cause injury. Unfortunately, some of these plants are endangered due to their popularity from over collection or poaching.

There are many species to choose from that have a variety of shapes, sizes, and flower colors. Consider one or more of the species as a houseplant or a container plant due to their compact size and slow growth rate. In warmer climates, they can be planted in a rock garden, border, or succulent bed. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Small size and rounded or cylindrical shape
  • Tubercles (rounded projections) arranged in a spiral pattern
  • Small, funnel-shaped flowers that form a halo around the top

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  May be susceptible to mealybugs spider mites, and scale insects. Bacterial or fungal diseases may result from overwatering or poor air circulation. 

VIDEO Created by Laura Barth 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:
  • Mammillaria elongata (Ladyfinger Cactus)
    6 to 8 inches tall, green, cylinder-like cactus, densely covered with spines, flowers are white, pale yellow, or pink
  • Mammillaria hahniana (Old Lady Cactus)
    fast-growing, spherical stems, 6 inches tall and 3 inches wide, very white hairs, magenta, edible fruit
  • Mammillaria heyderi (Little Nipple Cactus)
    solitary, short, globular, 4-6 inches in diameter, flowers cream to salmon colored and form a circle around the stem, red fruits
  • Mammillaria longimamma (Finger Cactus)
    6 to 12 inches tall, pyramidal shape, bright yellow flowers in the spring
  • Mammillaria vetula (Thimble Cactus) Small potted cactus with short white spines
    small, clustering, glossy bluish-green, globose to cylinder-like stems
  • Mammillaria zeilmanniana (Rose Pincushion Cactus)
    solitary to clusters, short, 2.3 inches tall, globular, glossy green stems, violet to purple pink flowers
Mammillaria elongata (Ladyfinger Cactus), Mammillaria hahniana (Old Lady Cactus), Mammillaria heyderi (Little Nipple Cactus), Mammillaria longimamma (Finger Cactus), Mammillaria vetula (Thimble Cactus), Mammillaria zeilmanniana (Rose Pincushion Cactus)
Tags:
#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#easy to grow#slow growing#colorful#tough plant#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#columnar#deer resistant#spines#rounded#rock garden#cactus#colorful fruits#desert plant#container plant#easy to grow houseplant#hsc#hsc-c#perennial#flowering#full sun#partial shade#border
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Mammillaria elongata (Ladyfinger Cactus)
    6 to 8 inches tall, green, cylinder-like cactus, densely covered with spines, flowers are white, pale yellow, or pink
  • Mammillaria hahniana (Old Lady Cactus)
    fast-growing, spherical stems, 6 inches tall and 3 inches wide, very white hairs, magenta, edible fruit
  • Mammillaria heyderi (Little Nipple Cactus)
    solitary, short, globular, 4-6 inches in diameter, flowers cream to salmon colored and form a circle around the stem, red fruits
  • Mammillaria longimamma (Finger Cactus)
    6 to 12 inches tall, pyramidal shape, bright yellow flowers in the spring
  • Mammillaria vetula (Thimble Cactus) Small potted cactus with short white spines
    small, clustering, glossy bluish-green, globose to cylinder-like stems
  • Mammillaria zeilmanniana (Rose Pincushion Cactus)
    solitary to clusters, short, 2.3 inches tall, globular, glossy green stems, violet to purple pink flowers
Mammillaria elongata (Ladyfinger Cactus), Mammillaria hahniana (Old Lady Cactus), Mammillaria heyderi (Little Nipple Cactus), Mammillaria longimamma (Finger Cactus), Mammillaria vetula (Thimble Cactus), Mammillaria zeilmanniana (Rose Pincushion Cactus)
Tags:
#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#easy to grow#slow growing#colorful#tough plant#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#columnar#deer resistant#spines#rounded#rock garden#cactus#colorful fruits#desert plant#container plant#easy to grow houseplant#hsc#hsc-c#perennial#flowering#full sun#partial shade#border
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Mammillaria
    Family:
    Cactaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central United States to Colombia, Caribbean to Venezuela
    Distribution:
    Native: Bahamas, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Islands, United States: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas; Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, and Windward Island. Introduced: Assam and Spain.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Edibility:
    Some species of this genus have fruits that are edible and have a tart or sweet taste: however, not all species have palatable fruits.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
    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
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are berry-like, club-shaped and are usually red. They may also be white, yellow, green, or magenta. The seeds are brown or black. Some species fruits are edible while others are not palatable.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small, colorful, funnel-shaped flowers that are 0.3 to 1.6 inches in diameter equally as long. They emerge from the base of the areoles, often forming a ring around the top. Time of blooming is dependent on the species.
  • 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 Description:
    The stems are small, globose or short cylinder-like, and may be solitary or form clumps. The stems vary in size depending on the species and can measure 0.4 to 16 inches tall and  0.4 to  8 inches wide. They have tubercles with aeroles and spines. The spines may be straight or hooked. Some species are woolly and hairy.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns