0Mammillaria – 16
Mammillaria Haw.
Genus – the data refers to the whole genus Mammillaria, not to a single species.
- Taxonomy
- Family: Cactaceae · Genus: Mammillaria1
- Synonyms
- 2
24 synonyms
- Bartschella Britton & Rose
- Cactus L.
- Chilita Orcutt
- Dolichothele (K.Schum.) Britton & Rose
- Ebnerella Buxb.
- Escobariopsis Doweld
- Haagea Frič
- Krainzia Backeb.
- Lactomamillaria Frič
- Lactomammillaria Fric
- Leptocladia Buxb.
- Leptocladodia Buxb.
- Mamillaria F.Reichenbach
- Mamillopsis (É.Morren) F.A.C.Weber ex Britton & Rose
- Mammariella Shafer
- Mammilaria J.Torrey & A.Gray
- Mammilloydia Buxb.
- Melocactus Boehm.
- Neomammillaria Britton & Rose
- Oehmea Buxb.
- Phellosperma Britton & Rose
- Porfiria Boed.
- Pseudomammillaria Buxb.
- Solisia Britton & Rose
Mammillaria is one of the largest genera in the cactus family (Cactaceae), with currently about 170 to 190 accepted species and around 99 subspecies. Most of the mammillarias are native to Mexico, while some come from the Southwestern United States, the Caribbean, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and Venezuela. The common name "pincushion cactus" refers to this genus and the closely related Escobaria.
Still missing: plant type, native distribution, natural habitat, height / growth form, flowering period, growth & dormancy period.
Sources (6)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy – Mammillaria · Scientific name · CC BY 4.0
- GBIF – synonyms · Synonyms · CC BY 4.0
- Wikidata – Q311120 · CC0
- Wikimedia Commons – Mammillariadioica.jpg · Public domain
- Wikipedia (de) – Mammillaria · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wikipedia (en) – Mammillaria · CC BY-SA 4.0
Automatic data comes from the open sources above, credited per their licences. Care experience is shown separately below.
Tips & experience from members
What worked for you? Your plant’s growing conditions are attached automatically, so others can see who it works for.
No tips for this species yet – be the first to share what worked for you!
How members water it
Not enough logs yet: at least 3 plants with regular watering logs are needed (now: 0). Waterings logged in Care feed this – anonymised and aggregated.
How it thrives
Waterlow
Lightfull sun
Humiditylow
Min. temperature5 °CJanuary
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 5–12 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
It flowers next month – once you see buds, don’t move it any more.
February
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 5–12 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
March
Gentle start: the first small drink once you see buds or new growth and it warms up.
First weak dose at the end of the month if it is actively growing.
The sunniest window (south or west).
Move it somewhere brighter and warmer and end wintering. Get it used to strong sun gradually.
If roots fill the pot: fresh soil, a pot 1–2 cm larger. Water sparingly for a week afterwards.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
April
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
Cactus fertiliser once a month at half strength.
The sunniest window (south or west).
If roots fill the pot: fresh soil, a pot 1–2 cm larger. Water sparingly for a week afterwards.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
May
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
Cactus fertiliser once a month at half strength.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
After mid-May (last frosts) it can go outside – keep it in partial shade for the first 1–2 weeks to avoid sunburn.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
June
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Cactus fertiliser once a month at half strength.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
July
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Cactus fertiliser once a month at half strength.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
August
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Cactus fertiliser once a month at half strength.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
September
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
No feeding now.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
Bring it in when nights drop below 10 °C. Check for pests first.
October
Taper off gradually: very little by the end of the month.
No feeding now.
The sunniest window (south or west).
Move it to its cool, bright winter spot and taper off watering. Log it with one click in the Care hub.
November · now
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 5–12 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
December
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 5–12 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
Keep it dry and cool (5–10 °C) in winter and it rewards you with a ring of spring flowers.
Mammillaria – what to know
Mammillaria: a plant genus (Cactaceae). Care guidelines: light: full sun; water: low; min. 5 °C. It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Mammillaria?
Sparingly: let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and water even less in winter.
How much light does Mammillaria need?
It needs plenty of direct sun – the sunniest window, or outdoors in summer, suits it best.
How cold can Mammillaria get?
Keep it above 5 °C – it is frost-tender and needs a frost-free spot in winter.
Is Mammillaria toxic to cats and dogs?
It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
When does Mammillaria flower?
Typical flowering time: February, March, April, May.
What members’ data shows
When does it really bloom?
No blooms logged yet. If yours flowers, your data will be the first!
Average watering interval
Not enough watering logs yet. Waterings logged in the care hub feed this chart.
Questions about this species
Data sources: GBIF.org – Mammillaria (CC BY 4.0) · Wikidata – Q311120 (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons – Mammillariadioica.jpg (Public domain) · Wikipedia – Mammillaria (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Care data is for guidance only.
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