Plants in genus mammillaria
Mammillaria formosa ssp. pseudocrucigera
Mammillaria formosa ssp. pseudocrucigera is a slow-growing cactus native to Mexico, characterized by its dull grey-green color and white wool between areoles. It can grow up to 5 inches in diameter and produces whitish flowers with a pinkish stripe. This cactus prefers light shade and well-drained soil.
Mammillaria elongata
Mammillaria elongata, also known as the gold lace cactus or ladyfinger cactus, is a small cactus native to central Mexico. It forms dense clusters of cylindrical stems covered in yellow or brown spines. The plant produces pale yellow or white flowers in spring, adding a delicate touch to its spiny appearance. It is a common and variable species, recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Mammillaria dixanthocentron
Mammillaria dixanthocentron is a robust cylindrical cactus native to Mexico, reaching up to 12 inches in height. It features two long, yellow central spines and is mostly solitary and unbranched. This cactus is known for its resilience and unique appearance, making it a fascinating addition to arid gardens.
Mammillaria geminispina
Mammillaria geminispina, also known as the twin spined cactus, is native to Central Mexico and is recognized for its long white spines and carmine pink flowers. It thrives in bright light and requires regular watering in summer. This cactus is hardy to 28°F and improves in appearance with age.
Mammillaria melaleuca
Mammillaria melaleuca is a low-growing cactus with large, bright yellow flowers and prominent tubercles. It prefers a very porous cactus mix soil and requires regular watering in summer while staying dry in winter. This cactus is sensitive to frost and thrives in bright sun or filtered sunlight.
Mammillaria mystax
Mammillaria mystax is a globular cactus species native to central Mexico, particularly the regions of Hidalgo, Oaxaca, and Puebla. It grows up to 6-8 inches tall and features reddish-white spines against a dark green body. This cactus is well-suited for ornamental use and thrives in full sun to light shade, requiring good drainage. It is winter-dormant and can be grown in USDA zones 9 to 10, making it a resilient choice for cactus enthusiasts.
Mammillaria longimamma
Mammillaria longimamma is a drought-tolerant cactus species from Mexico, known for its ability to reproduce in various ways. It naturally grows in sunny areas and requires porous, well-draining soil. This plant is hardy to 22°F and blooms in late spring or early summer.
Mammillaria formosa ssp. chionocephala
Mammillaria formosa ssp. chionocephala is a slow-growing cactus native to Mexico, characterized by its globular to cylindrical shape and star-like pink flowers. It thrives in bright sunlight and requires a well-drained soil mix. This cactus is cold-hardy and can tolerate frost, making it suitable for various climates.
Mammillaria senilis
Mammillaria senilis is a round-shaped cactus native to Mexico, growing up to 8 inches tall. It blooms with large red flowers in mid-spring and requires well-drained soil and minimal watering.
Mammillaria spinosissima
Mammillaria spinosissima, also known as the Spiny Pincushion Cactus or Red Headed Irishman, is a fast-growing cactus native to central Mexico. It thrives in well-drained sandy or loam soils with low humidity and full, filtered sun. This drought-tolerant cactus grows up to 12 inches tall and features purple-colored flowers. It is disease-resistant but can be susceptible to pests like mealybugs. The plant prefers a porous cactus mix soil and requires little watering, making it ideal for xeriscaping.
Mammillaria karwinskiana
Mammillaria karwinskiana is a clustering cactus native to Mexico and Central America, forming mounds up to 12 inches high and wide. It features yellowish-green to dull green stems with small tubercles and spines. The cactus produces yellowish flowers with a reddish tinge and red club-shaped fruits. It requires well-drained soil and is cold-sensitive, tolerating light freezing if dry.
Mammillaria bombycina
Mammillaria bombycina, commonly known as the silken pincushion cactus, is a vulnerable species native to Mexico. It features bulbous tubercles with white hairs and brown spines, and produces deep pink flowers in spring and summer. This cactus grows up to 8 inches tall and thrives in well-drained soil with ample sunlight. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand temperatures as low as 26.6°F.
Mammillaria prolifera
The Texas nipple cactus, Mammillaria prolifera, is a low-growing cactus that forms colonies up to 2 feet in diameter. It is native to regions from Mexico to the Caribbean and features yellowish-white to pinkish-yellow flowers. This cactus prefers a porous soil mix with minimal organic matter and requires bright light with some direct sun. It is sensitive to frost but can withstand short periods of cold down to 23°F.
Mammillaria hahniana
Mammillaria hahniana, also known as the old lady cactus, is native to central Mexico and grows up to 10 inches tall. It features solitary spherical stems covered in white down and spines, with reddish-purple flowers blooming in spring and summer. This cactus is drought-tolerant and requires good drainage.
Mammillaria sphaerica
Mammillaria sphaerica is a cactus native to southeastern Texas and northeastern Mexico, forming clumps of small pale green spheres. It produces pale yellow flowers in summer and is listed as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN Red List. This plant is best grown under glass in temperate zones.
Mammillaria nivosa
Mammillaria nivosa, also known as the woolly nipple cactus, is a colorful species native to the Caribbean. It is radially symmetrical, growing up to 9.8 inches tall, with spines that can reach about 1.5 inches. The cactus produces yellow flowers approximately 0.6 inches long and blooms in early spring. It is easy to grow, rapidly forming large clumps, but cannot tolerate frost.
Mammillaria albicoma
Mammillaria albicoma is a fuzzy, soft, dense white hairy cactus endemic to Mexico, specifically the hot deserts of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon. It is threatened by habitat loss but is known for its frost tolerance, hardy to 28°F. This cactus has a clumping growth habit and blooms with white to greenish-yellow flowers, making it a distinctive addition to any cactus collection.
Mammillaria huitzilopochtli
This spherical dark green globe cactus from Oaxaca, Mexico, has dense spines that curve inwards and rings of bright pink/magenta flowers. It is frost tender below 32°F (0°C) and requires light shade, moderate water, and well-drained soil, thriving in USDA zones 10b-11.
Mammillaria fittkaui
Mammillaria fittkaui is a fast-growing cactus native to Mexico, with dark-green cylindrical stems and white to cream flowers. It prefers bright sunlight and well-draining soil, making it a resilient addition to any cactus collection.
Mammillaria plumosa 'Feather Cactus'
Mammillaria plumosa, known as the Feather Cactus, is a drought-tolerant plant that naturally grows in sunny areas. It requires porous, well-draining soil and minimal watering, with drought periods between waterings to prevent water-logging. This cactus reproduces in various ways, making it a resilient addition to arid gardens.
Mammillaria hernandezii
Mammillaria hernandezii is an endangered cactus native to Mexico, known for its cherry red to fuchsia-red flowers that bloom in autumn and winter. This small cactus requires a mineral-based potting mix and full sun, making it a unique and rare addition to cactus collections.
Mammillaria aureilanata
Mammillaria aureilanata is a cactus species native to the hot deserts of Mexico. It is well-adapted to arid environments, making it a resilient choice for desert-themed gardens. This cactus is part of the Cactaceae family and is known for its unique appearance.
Mammillaria candida
Mammillaria candida, also known as the 'Snowball Cactus', originates from Northeastern Mexico. It features yellow flowers with pink veins and grows quickly. This cactus prefers partial sunlight and is frost-tolerant down to 23°F.
Mammillaria painteri
Mammillaria painteri is a small cactus native to Mexico, known for its globose mounds covered in spines and its ability to withstand low temperatures. It produces clusters of greenish-white or yellowish flowers in spring and summer and prefers bright, filtered light. This cactus is sensitive to red spider mites and requires a regular cactus potting mix.
Mammillaria standleyi
Mammillaria standleyi is a clumping cactus native to Sonora, Mexico, known for its flattened globose stems and deep pink to purplish pink flowers. The plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun to partial shade, with a hardiness zone of 9-11. It blooms in late winter to mid-spring and produces scarlet club-shaped fruits.
Mammillaria moelleriana
Mammillaria moelleriana is a small, spherical cactus native to Mexico, known for its strong hooked spines and solitary growth habit. It produces white or light pink flowers with darker midveins during its blooming season in spring and summer. This cactus requires a deep pot with a loose, open mineral substrate to accommodate its root system and is sensitive to rot, necessitating careful watering. It thrives in strong filtered light or full sun, making it suitable for bright indoor spaces or sunny outdoor locations. Mammillaria moelleriana is a charming addition to any cactus collection, offering a unique appearance with its globose shape and delicate flowers.
Mammillaria polythele
Mammillaria polythele is a nursery-produced cactus cultivar native to Mexico, known for its cylindrical stems and rose to pinkish-purple flowers. It prefers lots of sun and dry conditions, making it ideal for drought-tolerant gardens.
Mammillaria schiedeana ssp. giselae
Mammillaria schiedeana ssp. giselae is a small clustering cactus native to Mexico, known for its cylindrical tubercles and pale pink flowers that bloom in late winter. This frost-resistant cactus requires high light levels for optimal flowering and spine development, making it a unique and hardy addition to any cactus collection.