Mammillaria wagneriana

Scientific Name

Mammillaria wagneriana Boed.

Synonym(s)

Mammillaria antesbergeriana, Mammillaria crassa, Neomammillaria wagneriana

Scientific Classification

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Subtribe: Cactinae
Genus: Mammillaria

Origin

This species is native to Mexico ( Zacatecas, Jalisco, and Aguascalientes). It occurs on rocky slopes in open oak woodlands at elevations between 1,700 to 2,300 feet (5,580 to 7,550 m).

Description

Mammillaria wagneriana is a small cactus with a spherical, usually solitary stem with prominent tubercles and a slightly depressed apex. The stem is dark green, up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall, and up to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. Tubercles are pyramidal, quadrangular to almost conical, spirally arranged, with dense white wool in the axils, and tipped with clusters of 2 to 4 central spines and 6 to 10 radial spines. The central spines are straight or twisted, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long, reddish to almost black, and become gray with age. The radial spines are whitish-yellow and up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long. Flowers are white with pale pink midveins and greenish-yellow stigma. They are up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) in diameter and appear in spring. Fruits are red, club-shaped, and contain brown seeds.

Etymology

The specific epithet "wagneriana (wag-ner-ee-AH-nuh)" honors the eminent American botanist Warren H. Wagner Jr. (1920–2000).

How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria wagneriana

Light: Plant this cactus in an area of your garden that receives 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. If you are growing M. wagneriana 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. wagneriana 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 it is not a cold-hardy plant. M. wagneriana can withstand temperatures as low as 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b.

Watering: From spring to fall, water deeply and wait for the soil to dry out before watering again. Never let the pot sit in water. Suspend watering in the winter.

Fertilizing: M. wagneriana 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. wagneriana 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. wagneriana: 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 wagneriana

M. wagneriana is considered non-toxic to both humans and pets.

Photo Gallery

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