Mammillaria

( mam - uh - LAIR - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of cacti and succulent subshrubs is mainly native to Mexico, though this varies somewhat by species. These plants are commonly called Globe Cactus, Nipple Cactus, Birthday Cake Cactus, Fishhook Cactus and Pincushion Cactus and most species are endangered, threatened by habitat loss, climate change and overharvesting. Plants in this genus are characterized by a barrel shape and 'nipples' (hence the genus name, Mammillaria) on the surface of the main plant body that are flowering and branching points. Use these cacti in rock gardens, xeriscapes, or in container plantings. Take care when planting these cacti in the landscape, as their sharp spines can cause physical injury, skin irritation, and eye damage.

Mammillaria Species and Varietals

The genus Mammillaria includes over 200 distinct species, and is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. They grow well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Mammilaria albicoma (White Wooly Mammillaria, White-Haired Nipple Cactus, Powder-Puff Pincushion)
Native to Mexico, this species grows in very hot desert areas, and is considered to be endangered, threatened by habitat loss. These cacti have a fuzzy look to them, due to their thin spines protruding from their nipples. Individual cacti reach up to 2-5 inches tall and 1-3 inches wide, and slowly (over 12 to 15 years) grow to form colonies that can reach up to 16 inches wide or more. This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11b, and requires a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mammillaria albiflora (White-Flowering Pincushion Cactus)
This critically endangered species of cacti is native to Guanajuato, Mexico. It naturally thrives in hot desert climates, and is threatened by habitat loss. These cacti reach a mature size of 2 inches and grow well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Mammillaria albilanata (Biznaguita, White-Wooly)
This species is native to Mexico, and loves hot desert climates. The specific epithet albilanata refers to the soft appearance of the cacti. Individual cacti can reach up to 6 inches tall and 3 inches in diameter as a solitary stem. Over time, it can branch to form small clusters. Flowers are deep carmine, cherry red, magenta, or pink, and emerge during the spring and summer months. Biznaguita cacti thrive outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11b and prefer that temperatures stay above 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mammillaria anniana (Pincushion Cactus, Biznaguita)
Native to Tamaulipas, Mexico, this species is considered to be critically endangered, and is threatened most by habitat loss. These cacti prefer hot desert climates, and grow well in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12. They cannot handle freezing temperatures or heavy wintertime moisture. This species reaches up to 0.5 to 2 inches tall and 2 inches wide, sometimes forming small clusters of stems.

Mammillaria aureilanata (Golden Lace Cactus, Golden Pincushion Cactus)
This species is endemic to Mexico and prefers hot, dry desert climates. This cacti is a member of an endangered species. Flowers produced by this species are commonly light pink to white with darker pink stripes down the center of each petal. Flower centers are yellow. Cacti can reach up to 3 inches tall and 3 to 5 inches in diameter. They produce golden yellow hair-like spines. Golden Lace Cactus grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11.

Mammillaria backebergiana (Backeberg's Pincushion Cactus)
This species of Cacti is native to Mexico, where it grows on dry cliffs above 1,900 feet in elevation. Flowers are bright pink with white centers, and the body of the plant is green, covered in spined nipples. These cacti thrive in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b, and prefer a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They can be grown in partial shade or full sun, and need well-draining soil.

Mammillaria barbata (Greenflower Nipple Cactus, Green-Flowered Pincushion, Green Fish-Hook Cactus)
This cactus is native to Chihuahua, Sonora, and Durango Mexico and is found in mountainous regions. Flowers are delicate and white-pink and fruits that follow are red and oblong to ovular in shape. The berries are edible, but are so small that they are not commonly cultivated as a food source. These cacti are suited for USDA hardiness zones 9-11, and are highly frost sensitive.

Mammillaria baumii (Bödeker Cactus, Baum's Pincushion Cactus)
This species of cacti is endemic to Mexico and was named for botanist Hugo Baum. These cacti form clumps, and individual stems reach up to 2-3 inches tall and 1.5 to 2.5 inches in diameter. Clusters can reach 12 inches wide or more when mature. Flowers are golden yellow to lemon yellow, and bloom in spring and summer. Best in USDA zones 9b-11b.

Mammillaria beneckei (Fishhook Cactus, Benecke's Nipple Cactus, Benecke Fishhook Cactus)
This species of cacti is native to Mexico. Subspecies Mammillaria beneckei variegata has light green to chartreuse and salmon-colored nipples covering the plant. This species is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11b and need winter temperatures to remain above 25 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mammillaria berkiana (Pincushion Cactus)
This species is on the verge of extinction thanks to climate change, habitat loss and poaching of wild plants. It grows naturally in desert regions on cliffsides and was first discovered by Alfred B. Lau in 1980. In 1994, the population included about 5,000 individual plants, and as of 1999 had fallen to just 100. Flowers are pink to purple, and bloom from fall to spring, staying open for 5-6 days and then fading. This species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 10-12.

Mammillaria boscana (Powder Puff Cactus, Powder Puff Pincushion)
This species is native to northern Mexico, where it is protected from wild collection activities by law. These cacti have white, hair-like spines covering the entire surface of the plant. Flowers are commonly yellow or magenta, depending on the variety. After flowers fade, red cylindrical fruits form on the plant, each containing reddish-brown seeds. These plants produce offsets and can create large mounds and grow well in USDA hardiness zones 8-11.

Mammillaria bombycina (Silken Pincushion Cactus)
This species is native to a region in western central Mexico, and is considered vulnerable to extinction due to overcollection and poaching. It reaches up to 8 inches tall and spreads indefinitely via offsets. They are clothed in downy white hairs and produce short white spines and longer brown curved spines. Deep pink flowers bloom in spring and summer. These cacti grow well in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11.

Mammillaria compressa (Mother of Hundreds)
This species thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b, and are native to eastern and central Mexico. Individual stems can reach up to 6 to 12 inches tall and 2 to 4 inches in diameter, and form clumps over time that can reach up to 1-2.5 feet wide, hence its common name 'Mother of Hundreds'.

Mammillaria elongata (Gold Lace Cactus, Ladyfinger Cactus, Lady Finger Cactus)
This cactus forms a dense group of cylindrical, erect, or semi-prostrate stems that can reach up to 6 inches long. It has a bright green body clothed in yellow or brown spines. Cultivars include 'Copper King' (with dense golden-orange spines) 'Cristata' (also called 'Brain Cactus', a naturally mutated form with twisted, fan-like folds with yellow-white spines to 6 inches tall and twice as wide), and 'Julio' (compact with golden-brown spines). Ladyfinger Cacti grow well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Mammillaria geminispina (Twin Spined Cactus, White Cactus, Whitey)
These cacti have a variable habit, and can form solitary stems, small clumps, or colonies. Stems grow to reach up to 10 inches tall and 3 inches in diameter. Flowers are carmine-pink and when pollinated, turn into small fruits that have a tart, fruity flavor. Twin Spined Cactus is native to central Mexico, and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11.

Mammillaria hahniana (Old Lady Cactus)
This endangered species is native to central Mexico and produces stems that can reach up to 10 inches tall and 20 inches wide. Solitary stems are clothed in white down and white spines, and pink flowers bloom in spring and summertime. Old Lady Cactus is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11, and can tolerate minimum winter temperatures of 20-25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mammillaria lasiacantha (Golf-Ball Pincushion Cactus, Lacespine Nipple Cactus, Small Pincushion Cactus, Biznaga de Espinas Pubescentes, Lace Cactus)
This species is native to a wide range spanning Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the United States as well as Coahuila and Durango in northern Mexico, where its population is threated by overcollection. Lace Cactus grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11 and can reach up to 3 inches tall and 1.5 inch in diameter at maturity.

Mammillaria parkinsonii (Owl-Eye Pincushion, Owl-Eye Cactus, Gray Donut Cactus, Owl Eyes)
This species is native to Queretaro, Mexico, and is considered endangered due to limited native range, habitat degradation and illegal collection. These plants produce stems up to 6 inches tall and 4-6 inches in diameter. Over time, they can form clumps or spreading mounds to 20-24 inches wide. Flowers are pink and bloom in spring and summertime. Owl-Eye Pincushion thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11.

Mammillaria plumosa (Feather Cactus, Fluffy Cactus)
This species of Mammillaria grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11 and reaches up to 12 inches tall and 16 inches wide at maturity. Spherical green stems are covered in white, downy spines adorned with very long hairs arranged like the segments of a bird's feather. Flowers are white or greenish with yellow centers and bloom in late summertime. Feather Cactus is native to northeastern Mexico.

Mammillaria prolifera (West Indian Nipple Cactus, Texas Nipple Cactus, Grape Cactus, Hair-Covered Cactus, Small Childing Melon-Thistle)
These clumping cacti produce individual stems that reach up to 3-6 inches tall and 2-3 inches wide at maturity. Colonies can easily reach up to 2 feet wide. They are native to south and central Texas in the United States, northeastern Mexico, and the Caribbean, and thrive in rocky grasslands and scrub landscapes in arid zones. West Indian Nipple Cactus grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11b and prefer temperatures remain above 25 degrees Fahrenheit. This species is a great starter Mammillaria for beginners, as it is very forgiving and commonly cultivated.

Caring for Mammillaria

Take care when planting these cacti in the landscape, as their sharp spines can cause physical injury, skin irritation, and eye damage. Plant these cacti in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 4 and 6 hours of sun each day for the best overall growth. Provide them with some late afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak to avoid sunburn. Ensure that soil is very well-draining and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral or slightly alkaline). Pincushion Cacti like a soil that is amended with plenty of sand and perlite to improve drainage. Apply a layer of rock mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

These Cacti appreciate a 'soak and dry' watering method. Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dried out during the growing season in spring and summertime. When plants are dormant in fall and winter, they should not be watered. They do not need to be fertilized, and rarely need pruning, as they are low-maintenance, slow-growing, and maintain their shape naturally. They typically thrive on neglect. Pruning is only necessary to remove dead or diseased sections due to root or crown rot. Damaged spines and spent flowers can be removed at any time during the growing season (spring or summertime). Avoid cutting into healthy, green flesh as this can damage the plant and invite insect and disease to take hold. Mammillaria plants are long-lived perennials, able to survive in the landscape for between 10 and 20 years before needing to be replaced. They are slow-growing, often adding just 0.5 to 1 inch to their height annually.

Caring for Mammillaria in Containers
Pincushion Cacti are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. This allows for growers in cooler climates to care for these warm-weather plants correctly; they should be brought indoors or into a greenhouse environment when outdoor temperatures drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid damage. Choose a pot that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a dry, very well-draining soil (peat amended with plenty of sand and perlite is typically sufficient), and top with a layer of rock mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Place the container in a space that receives full sun.

These Cacti appreciate a 'soak and dry' watering method. Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dried out during the growing season in spring and summertime. When plants are dormant in fall and winter, they should not be watered. These Cacti do not need to be fertilized, and rarely need pruning, as they are low-maintenance, slow-growing, and maintain their shape naturally. They typically thrive on neglect. Pruning is only necessary to remove dead or diseased sections due to root or crown rot. Damaged spines and spent flowers can be removed at any time during the growing season (spring or summertime). Avoid cutting into healthy, green flesh as this can damage the plant and invite insect and disease to take hold. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

There are two main ways to propagate Pincushion Cacti: by offset and by seed. The easiest way is through offset because it requires the least amount of disruption to the parent plant and ensures that you will get an exact clone, which is something not guaranteed by the seed propagation method. Peruse the propagation methods for Mammillaria below:

Propagating Mammillaria by Division
The easiest way to propagate Pincushion Cactus is by identifying and removing offsets and replanting them. To propagate your Mammillaria by offset, you'll need a clean trowel and a pot filled with soil half amended with gritty sand (or filled with cactus/succulent mix). Once you've gathered your materials, follow these steps:

Loosen the soil around the bottom of your Cacti where the offset has formed and locate its connection to the parent plant. Cut it from the parent plant with a sharp, clean trowel or knife. Take care to not damage the offset or the parent plant during this process.
Then, place the offset in a shaded, dry area that receives good ventilation for a few days until it forms a callous where it was cut from the parent plant.
Plant your offset in a pot filled with potting mix and lightly moisten the soil, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the container in an area that receives bright light and stays relatively warm.
Water every time the top inch or two of soil dry out, but don't saturate the soil. After a few weeks of this watering schedule, the offset should be ready to be planted outside in its permanent home. Then, follow the instructions in the care section to grow your offset into an adult plant.

Propagating Mammillaria by Seed

Gather your materials and fill your pot with potting mix amended with plenty of sand and perlite (to increase drainage). Place the seeds on top of the soil about a centimeter apart, and cover them with a layer of coarse sand.
Water the seeds, being careful to not disturb their placement under the sand. Keep the seeds moist but not wet as they germinate, which should happen in 1 to 3 weeks' time. The pot or tray should be in an area that receives bright indirect light. It is important to attempt to germinate more than a few seeds, as it is likely that not all seeds will germinate successfully. After most of the seeds have germinated, increase ventilation and provide the seedlings with good light, but not direct sunlight. About five weeks after germination, cut watering to about once a week, allowing the soil to dry out in between waterings. Do not provide water if the soil is still moist.
Harden off seedlings by placing them outdoors for increasing amounts of time over a few weeks so that they do not experience transplant shock when they are planted in their forever home outdoors. Once established in the landscape, return to regular care guidelines above.