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Pincushion Cactus Mammillaria

Description

Mammillaria is a genus in the Cactaceae family that is native to the U.S.A as well as South America.  It has fleshy stems, many spines, and colorful flowers.  It is very popular to grow as a houseplant and boasts over 200 species and cultivars.

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.

Quick ID:

  • 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

 

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:
M. vetula
Tags:
#houseplant#succulent#easy to grow#tough plant#columnar#rounded#cactus#desert plant#easy to grow houseplant#hsc#hsc-c
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
M. vetula
Tags:
#houseplant#succulent#easy to grow#tough plant#columnar#rounded#cactus#desert plant#easy to grow houseplant#hsc#hsc-c
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Mammillaria
    Family:
    Cactaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and southwestern U.S.A., South America, Caribbean
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Rounded
    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
  • 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 (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
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns