Alphabetical Plant Listing

Mammillaria rhodantha (Rainbow Pincushion)

Rainbow Pincushion, Cactus rhodanthus, Neomammillaria rhodantha, Mammillaria bonavitii, Mammillaria calacantha, Mammillaria chrysacantha, Mammillaria fulvispina, Mammillaria fuscata, Mammillaria pulchra, Mammillaria rhodantha f. fulvispina, Mammillaria rhodantha f. ruficeps, Mammillaria rhodantha subsp. fuscata, Mammillaria rhodantha var. fulvispina, Mammillaria rhodantha subsp. rhodantha, Mammillaria ruficeps, Mammillaria rutila, Neomammillaria calacantha, Neomammillaria calacantha


Mammillaria rhodantha (Rainbow Pincushion) is a small columnar cactus that tends to form large clumps over time. The short, cylindrical, dark green stems, up to 16 in. tall (40 cm) and 5 in. wide (12 cm), are covered with prominent tubercles and spines that grow from the areoles at the tip of the tubercles. The slightly curved central spines are red-brown or pale to golden yellow, up to 0.6 in. (1.5 cm) long. The radial spines are creamy-white and up to 0.4 in. (1 cm) long. White wool can be seen growing on the top part of the plant body. Blooming for months from spring to fall, deep-pink to purple, funnel-shaped flowers, up to 0.9 in. (2.2 cm), appear in a ring near the apex of the stem. Easy to grow, this adorable 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.

  • Slowly grows up to 6-16 in. tall (15-40 cm).
  • Easily grown in a very porous potting media 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 with a high potassium fertilizer in summer. Drought tolerant.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for mealybugs.
  • Propagate 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.
  • Native to Mexico.

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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 6" – 2' (15cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

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Luke McGuff, Flickr

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 6" – 2' (15cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Guides with Mammillaria

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