Alphabetical Plant Listing

Mammillaria plumosa (Feather Cactus)

Feather Cactus, Chilita plumosa, Ebnerella plumosa, Escobariopsis plumosa, Neomammillaria plumosa


Mammillaria plumosa (Feather Cactus) is a clustering cactus forming a low, dense mound of globose stems, 2.5 in. wide (6 cm), entirely covered by an abundance of white feathery spines. The spines are adorned with very long hairs that are arranged like the segments of a bird's feather, and protect the plant against the blistering sun of the desert. In late summer, creamy-white or dull pink sweetly-scented flowers, up to 0.6 in. across (1.5 cm), appear at the top of the stems. This unusual cactus is perfect for containers. It can be grown as a houseplant, but also grows well outdoors in frost-free climates. Protect from cold, as this species is frost sensitive and only hardy to 23°F (-5°C) for brief periods.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 3-4 in. tall (7-10 cm) and up to 3-16 in. wide (7-40 cm).
  • Easily grown in a standard cactus compost in full sun or bright filtered light. Water moderately when in growth. Make sure you let the soil dry out between waterings. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots. Keep the plant dry in winter.
  • Feed every two or three weeks with a balanced liquid feed when in growth. Drought tolerant.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for mealybugs or red spider. Susceptible to rot if over-watered.
  • Propagate by seed sown at 66-75°F (19-24°C) in early spring or by offsets.
  • Native to Mexico, where it grows on limestone cliffs in sparse xerophytic shrubland.

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Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Plant Type Cactus - Succulents
Plant Family Mammillaria
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3" – 4" (7cm – 10cm)
Spread 3" – 2' (7cm – 60cm)
Spacing 3" – 16" (7cm – 40cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

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Guides with Mammillaria


Mike Keeling, Flickr, (c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Plant Type Cactus - Succulents
Plant Family Mammillaria
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3" – 4" (7cm – 10cm)
Spread 3" – 2' (7cm – 60cm)
Spacing 3" – 16" (7cm – 40cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Guides with Mammillaria

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