Mammillaria

Mammillaria elongata

Golden Star Cactus

A clustering succulent cactus native to arid central and northeastern Mexico, where it grows in bright sun and gritty, fast-draining soil. Give it the brightest direct light you have and a sandy, sharply drained mix. Water deeply only when the soil has gone completely dry to the bottom of the pot, then let it dry out fully again before the next watering.

Mammillaria spinosissima

Spiny Pincushion Cactus

Mammillaria spinosissima is a clumping succulent cactus from arid and semi-arid central and northern Mexico, built to store water and endure long dry spells. Give it bright, direct sun and gritty, fast-draining mineral mix, and water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely throughout the pot. In the cooler, darker months reduce watering further, as cold wet soil is the surest way to rot the roots.

Mammillaria prolifera

Little Candles

A clustering succulent subshrub from arid regions of Mexico, Texas, and the Caribbean, this cactus stores water in its small mounding stems and rots if kept wet. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and bright sun, and water deeply only when the soil has been fully dry for several days. In cooler, darker months extend the interval considerably and err toward drought.

Mammillaria vetula

Thimble Cactus

Mammillaria vetula is a clustering succulent cactus native to arid regions of northeastern and Gulf Mexico, so it stores water in its body and rots if kept wet. Plant it in a gritty, fast-draining mix and give it the brightest spot you have, including some direct sun. Water deeply only once the soil has dried completely throughout, then let it dry again before the next watering.

Mammillaria plumosa

Feather Cactus

A small clustering cactus from the arid limestone hills of northeastern Mexico, covered in soft feathery white spines. It stores water in its body and rots if kept damp, so plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and water only when the soil is bone dry all the way through. Give it the brightest light you have, ideally several hours of direct sun.

Mammillaria magnimamma

Mexican Pincushion

Mammillaria magnimamma is a clustering succulent cactus from the arid highlands of central and northern Mexico, built to store water and endure long dry spells. Give it gritty, fast-draining mineral mix and the brightest direct light you can offer. Water deeply only when the soil has been fully dry for several days, and cut back sharply in winter; sitting wet is what rots it.

Mammillaria geminispina

Twin-spine Cactus

A clustering succulent cactus from arid regions of northeastern and Gulf Mexico, storing water in its spined, globular stems. It wants gritty, fast-draining mineral mix and plenty of bright direct light. Water deeply only when the mix has dried out completely, and let it stay dry through cooler, darker months to avoid rot.

Mammillaria compressa

Mother Of Hundreds

Mammillaria compressa is a clustering succulent cactus native to arid and semi-arid regions of central and northern Mexico, where it stores water in its body and endures long dry spells. Give it gritty, fast-draining mineral mix and bright direct light, and water deeply only when the soil has gone completely dry all the way through the pot. In cooler months reduce watering further, as it rots easily if left sitting in damp soil.

Mammillaria haageana

Haage's Pincushion Cactus

Mammillaria haageana is a small clustering cactus from arid regions of central and southern Mexico, built to store water and endure long dry spells. Give it gritty, fast-draining mineral soil and the brightest spot you have, ideally direct sun. Water deeply only when the mix has gone completely dry to the bottom of the pot, then let it dry out fully again before the next watering; when in doubt, wait longer, as this plant rots far more easily than it droughts.