Alphabetical Plant Listing

Mammillaria prolifera (Texas Nipple Cactus)

Nipple Cactus, Grape Cactus, Hair-covered Cactus, Pincushion Cactus, Silver-cluster Cactus, Little Candles, Texas Hair Cactus, West Indian Nipple-cactus, Texas Nipple Cactus, Cactus mammillaris var. prolifera, Cactus proliferus, Cactus stellatus, Chilita prolifera, Ebnerella prolifera, Escobariopsis prolifera, Neomammillaria prolifera


Mammillaria prolifera (Texas Nipple Cactus) is a low-growing clustering cactus that can form a dense clump of globose stems, 4 in. tall (10 cm) and up to 24 in. wide (60 cm). Each dark green stem, 2-3 in. in diameter (5-7 cm), bears dense, golden-yellow to white spines. In summer, a profusion of creamy-yellow flowers tinged pink, up to 0.7 in. long (1.8 cm), appear in old axils towards the top of the stems. They give way to edible red berries, 0.8 in. long (2 cm), that taste like strawberries. Easy to grow, this freely clustering 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.

  • Grows up to 3-4 in. tall (7-10 cm) and up to 3-24 in. wide (7-60 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.
  • Repotting every 2-3 years.
  • Native to Mexico, Texas, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.

Not sure which Mammillaria to pick?
Compare All Mammillaria

Buy Mammillaria prolifera (Texas Nipple Cactus)

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" – 24" (7cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Buy Plants

Guides with Mammillaria


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" – 24" (7cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Texas
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

Plant Calculator

How many Mammillaria prolifera (Texas Nipple Cactus) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Mammillaria prolifera (Texas Nipple Cactus)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.