Pincushion Cactus Mammillaria
- Description
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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:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- M. vetula
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Mammillaria
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and southwestern U.S.A., South America, Caribbean
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Columnar
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Appendage:
- Spines
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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
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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.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Shape:
- Acicular
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Spines (modified leaves) that emerge from the areoles.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
