Scientific Name
Mammillaria mammillaris H.Karst.
Common Name(s)
Woolly Nipple Cactus
Synonym(s)
Cactus mammillaris, Neomammillaria mammillaris
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Subtribe: Cactinae
Genus: Mammillaria
Etymology
The specific epithet "mammillaris (mam-mil-LAIR-iss)" means "having nipples" and refers to the characteristic tubercles of this species.
Origin
Mammillaria mammillaris is native to the Caribbean islands and mainland Venezuela.
Description
Mammillaria mammillaris is a solitary or clump-forming cactus with spherical to short cylindrical stems with conical tubercles, some white wool in the axils, and clusters of spines at the tips of each tubercle. The stems can reach up to 4 inches (20 cm) in diameter. Each areole bears 3 to 5 reddish-brown central spines with dark tips and 10 to 16 reddish-brown radial spines that become gray with age. The spines can grow up to 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) long.
The flowers are funnel-shaped, white to creamy-white, and emerge from the axils of tubercles in summer. They can reach up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in length. The edible fruits are red, club-shaped, and provide long-lasting ornament to the stems. They can grow up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long.
How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria mammillaris
Light: Plant this cactus in an area of your garden that receives 4 hours of direct sunlight daily. If growing M. mammillaris indoors, place it near the brightest window in your home or office to ensure your cactus gets enough light. If possible, place the pot on the balcony or in the garden for extra light from spring to fall.
Soil: M. mammillaris requires a soil mix that provides root aeration and good drainage, whether grown outdoors or indoors. Use commercial cactus potting mixes or create your own potting mix.
Hardiness: This cactus is heat tolerant but is not a cold-hardy plant. M. mammillaris can withstand temperatures as low as 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b.
Watering: From spring to fall, water deeply and wait for the soil to dry before watering again. Never let the pot sit in water. Suspend watering in the winter.
Fertilizing: M. mammillaris can benefit from fertilization during the growing season. Apply a water-soluble fertilizer for cacti and other succulents. Suspend feeding during the winter when the plant goes dormant.
Repotting: Repot every two or three years into a slightly larger pot. The best time to repot your M. mammillaris is late winter or early spring, but the repotting process can be done almost any time of the year.
Propagation: There are two easy ways to propagate M. mammillaris: by seeds or by dividing offsets. The best time to remove offsets is in spring and summer. Sow the seeds in late spring or summer.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria.
Toxicity of Mammillaria mammillaris
M. mammillaris is considered non-toxic to both humans and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Mammillaria
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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