11 Mammillaria Cactus Types (With Pictures)

The Mammillaria cacti are arguably the cutest and most charming cacti genus normally characterized by their modest, clustered buildings. Most types of the species are indigenous to Mexico, although some arrive from the Caribbean, southwest United States, Honduras, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Colombia.

There are over 400 species1 of Mammillaria, and finding the very best plant to bring residence can be challenging. The good news is, most species from this cacti family are best indoor plants and make eye-catching additions to outside flowerbeds.

Study on to find out more about their functions, such as their appearance, hues, blooming designs, how tall they grow, and much more.

The 11 Types of Mammillaria Cactus

1. Royal Cross (Mammillaria nejapensis)

royal cross mammillaria nejapensis_Wirestock Creators_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Wirestock Creators, Shutterstock
Maximum Height: 4 inches
Blooming season: Spring and summer
USDA Hardiness Region: 6 to 12
Sun Exposure: Full sun

Mammillaria nejapensis, commonly referred to as the royal cross or silver arrow, is an exotic flowering cactus indigenous to Oaxaca, Mexico. It has a spherical stem with white hairs among the sharp silver spines. These spines are thicker, for a longer time, and have a copper-crimson hue at the best.

The royal cross is mainly solitary, despite the fact that it at times branches. Even on maturity, it hardly grows taller than four-inches. Even so, it grows wider and kinds a beautiful crown of cream funnel flowers. If you are cultivating the royal cross outdoors and not on your window sill, winterize the plant or provide it indoors throughout freezing temperatures.


2. Powder Puff Cactus (Mammillaria bocasana)

Powder Puff Cactus_Panrinya Pangplang_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Panrinya panplang, Shutterstock
Maximum Height: 4 inches
Blooming season: Spring and summer
USDA Hardiness Region: 9 to 11
Sun Exposure: Full sun/partial shade

The Mammillaria bocasana, far better recognized as the powder puff cactus, is a indigenous of Northcentral Mexico. It is a modest cacti species that grows to a highest of 4 inches tall. The plant has a round grey-green stem with a total crown of gentle and silky, white hairy spines.

So, how did the Mammillaria bocasana get the nickname powder puff cactus? It is a clump-forming cactus, and the white hair-like radial spines look like cotton balls.

The powder puff cacti produce putting flowers on maturity. Throughout spring and summer season, little amazing white or brilliant pink blooms show up. Like most cacti kinds, the Mammillaria bocasana thrives in effectively-draining soil and enjoys temperatures between 70 and 80 levels Fahrenheit.


3. Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria spinosissima)

Pincushion cactus_julieabels_Pixabay
Image Credit: julieabels, Pixabay
Maximum Height: 6 inches
Blooming season: Spring
USDA Hardiness Region: 9a to 10
Sun Exposure: Full sun

The pincushion cactus is maybe the most typical Mammillaria cacti species in homes. It is indigenous to the United States and can expand to a maximum top of six inches.

Mammillaria spinosissima is generally identified as “pincushion” because of the sharp white spines covering its barrel or ball-shaped stem. It is essential to dress in thick gloves when managing the plant to avoid damage.

Underneath the correct watering and temperature conditions, even indoor pincushion cacti will kind flowers on their tubercles. You can improve the possibilities of your cacti blooming by making a fertilizer application in early spring. Also, make sure your plant gets plenty of vibrant immediate mild or full sunshine with some shade in the afternoon to lessen evaporation.


4. Mother of Hundreds (Mammillaria compressa)

Mother of Hundreds Cactus_moorathenight_Shutterstock
Image Credit: moorathenight, Shutterstock
Maximum Height: 10 inches
Blooming season: Summer
USDA Hardiness Region: 9a to 10b
Sun Exposure: Full sun

Mammillaria compressa, commonly referred to as the “Mother of Hundreds” cactus, is one of the larger varieties of the Mammillaria genus. The cactus is native to northern and southern Mexico and is a best selection for most property owners since it demands nominal care and upkeep to thrive. You can count on your spiky buddy to expand nicely as extended as it receives partial shade to entire sunlight.

The Mother of Hundreds kinds huge, uninteresting, pale inexperienced mounds with sparsely distributed white spines. When planted outdoors, the plant can form large clumps of up to three feet. In the summer season, you can count on the reward of reddish-pink blossoms as extended as your cactus will get just enough daylight, drinking water, and large potassium fertilizer.


5. Woolly Nipple Cactus (Mammillaria mammillaris)

Woolly Nipple Cactus_Yes058 Montree Nanta_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Yes058 Montree Nanta, Shutterstock
Maximum Height: 9 inches
Blooming season: Late summer
USDA Hardiness Region: 10a to 11b
Sun Exposure: Full sun/partial shade

“Mammilla” in Latin indicates teat or nipple. On the other hand, the phrase “aris” refers to the attribute of the laterally compressed tubercles with wooly areoles. The plant also has wool in the axils between its tubercles. Beneath the correct situations, it creates creamy-even though funnel-shaped blossoms.

Mammillaria mammillaris, a native to the Caribbean, grows as a solitary cactus or in a clump to type a tiny mat. The plant can achieve up to nine inches in top, and its quick cylindrical stem can develop up to four inches in diameter. It has relatively prolonged spines that can increase about one.five inches prolonged and overlap to defend the sensitive parts of the plant.


6. Cushion Foxtail Cactus (Escobaria alversonii)

Cushion Foxtail Cactus_Nina B_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Nina B, Shutterstock
Maximum Height: 10 inches
Blooming season: Summer
USDA Hardiness Region: 9b to 11
Sun Exposure: Full sun

Escobaria alversonii, better identified as cushion foxtail, is one particular of the rarest cacti species in the Mammillaria genus. It is native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States. The areoles of the cushion foxtail cactus produce up to 33 radial spines that position outwards at all angles.

On maturity, the cushion foxtail can expand up to ten inches tall. If you maintain the proper situations, your cactus will reward you by making cute pink or violet blossoms in summer time. If you are lucky to get your fingers on this cactus, make sure you plant it in nicely-draining soil in a place that gets loads of sunlight.


7. Lady Fingers (Mammillaria elongata)

Lady Finger Cactus_Rao Ayaz_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Rao Ayaz, Shutterstock
Maximum Height: 8 inches
Blooming season: Mid-winter and late spring
USDA Hardiness Region: 9b to 11b
Sun Exposure: Full sun

Mammillaria elongata, frequently referred to as lady fingers, golden stars, or gold lace cactus, is native to Central Mexico. It is one of the most ornamental species in the Mammillaria genus of flowering cacti. Whilst it has spines that kind an alluring brown or white-yellowish mat above the plant, they are harmless.

This pretty cactus has many spines covering the cylindrical stems too. It can develop up to 8 inches tall when thinking about the duration of all the extended and slender finger-like stems. In spring, the cactus blooms in understated white to pale yellow colors. Normally, the little flowers bud from the higher 50 % of the stems.

You ought to take into account checking your watering routines if your girl fingers cactus does not bloom among mid-wintertime and late spring. Also, make certain the plant receives loads of sunlight in the course of the summer season since this is when development is at its peak.


8. Owl’s Eye Pincushion (Mammillaria parkinsonii)

Owl Eye Pincushion_Digitalphaser_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Digitalphaser, Shutterstock
Maximum Height: 6 inches
Blooming season: Spring
USDA Hardiness Region: 9b to 11
Sun Exposure: Full sun

The Mammillaria parkinsonii, also identified as owl’s eye pincushion cactus, is a woolly cactus with a cylindrical stem. The cactus can expand up to five.9 inches broad and six inches tall when solitary. Nonetheless, the Mammillaria parkinsonii is clump-forming cacti and can develop up to ten new heads in 5 to 6 a long time.

With time, the stems divide into two hence the nickname owl’s eye. This charming cactus blossoms in spring and develops funnel-shaped creamy yellow blooms with pink markings. The flowers form in a ring at the leading of the stem and later on produce into little orange cherry-like fruits.

The owl’s eye pincushion is native to Mexico. This indicates the plant thrives in dry climates and warm temperatures or semi-desert circumstances. For the ideal outcome, h2o in moderation and ensure your plant gets brilliant filtered mild.


9. Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana)

Old Lady Cactus_Kattiya L_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Kattiya L, Shutterstock
Maximum Height: 10 inches
Blooming season: Summer and spring
USDA Hardiness Region: 9a to 10a
Sun Exposure: Full sun/partial shade

The Mammillaria hahniana is a clump-forming cactus with stunning spherical stems. It is coated in sharp white spines and silky white down, producing it seem like an outdated woman from afar. The plant blooms in summertime and spring with a crown of reddish-purple bouquets.

Mammillaria hahniana or aged girl cactus is native to Mexico. The cactus helps make an excellent indoor or out of doors plant. Its spheres can grow up to five inches broad and four inches tall. Like most cacti, it is a gradual-developing plant, and it could reach up to 10 inches tall over many years.

It is critical to give the cactus correct treatment through normal watering and fertilizer software routines during summertime and spring. Because the plant does dormant in wintertime, you need to not water it to stay away from root rot.


10. Pineapple Cactus (Mammillaria longimamma)

Pineapple Cactus_Sinchai Ngamsanguanpreech_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Sinchai Ngamsanguanpreech, Shutterstock
Maximum Height: 11.8 inches
Blooming season: Spring
USDA Hardiness Region: 9b to 11b
Sun Exposure: Full sun/partial shade

Mammillaria longimamma goes by numerous nicknames, which includes nipple cactus, finger mound, finger cactus, and pineapple cactus. Its distinctive physical attributes make it pretty effortless to determine. Between its distinct characteristics are the finger-like white spines and gentle tubercles.

Also, the Mammillaria longimamma has a larger flower than other cacti kinds of its species. It blooms in spring to create eye-catching yellow blossoms. Even although the cactus is fairly frost-hardy, do not forget to shift it indoors throughout wintertime.


11. Fishhook Cactus (Mammillaria grahamii)

Mammillaria grahamii, commonly referred to as fishhook or Graham’s nipple cactus, is native to Texas, Arizona, California, and Mexico. You can also spot huge clumps of the Mammillaria grahamii in the Sonoran Desert on the U.S. Mexico border.

Some of the distinctive qualities of the cactus incorporate a cylindrical stem that can grow up to two.5 inches in diameter and 6 inches tall. If the plant receives at the very least 4 hrs of immediate sunlight everyday and h2o each time the soil dries up, you can assume the enjoyable reward of pink or lavender bouquets in summer time.

Mammillaria Cactus FAQs

Mammillaria cacti varieties are hugely sought after for their elegance and due to the fact they are low maintenance. Right here are some generally asked concerns about these vegetation.

How Do I Ensure My Mammillaria Cacti Thrive?

Mammillaria cacti, irrespective of species, are fairly forgiving, even if you have hectic operate schedules. The crops do not call for significantly watering but make confident to expose them to adequate daylight.

When Is the Best Time to Fertilize My Mammillaria Cacti?

Fertilizer application is crucial, specially throughout the preliminary germination and developing procedures. Use a nicely-balanced drinking water-soluble fertilizer with “10-ten-10” nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You can make fertilizer purposes in summer and spring, despite the fact that the plant does not want fertilizing in wintertime when it becomes dormant.

Which Is the Best Container Size for My Mammillaria Cactus?

Picking a container measurement for a Mammillaria cactus can be tricky, and it is essential 1st to comprehend whether your plant grows solitary or in a group. Typically, it is best to guarantee you will not require repotting for the up coming few a long time. If the cactus is a clump-forming assortment, wait till the seedlings are strong sufficient just before you transfer them to a new pot.

Final Thoughts

Mammillaria cacti have intriguing nicknames and breathtaking seems. They are low-servicing plants and only need to have watering when the potting soil dries up. You can also insert some fertilizer, specially in the course of the spring and summer when growth is at its peak. Thanks to their drought tolerance, they usually do not keep grudges if you overlook to water them for several weeks.

Conference the environmental wants of any cacti from the Mammillaria genus is effortless you just require to use a fast-draining potting blend and a planter with excellent drainage. Most species make exceptional desk buddies, or you can allow your Mammillaria cactus sit on your windowsill to brighten up your interiors.


Showcased Image Credit history: elektrosmart, Pixabay

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