Create Your Garden

Mammillaria spinosissima (Spiny Pincushion Cactus)

Spiny Pincushion Cactus, Cactus spinosissimus, Neomammillaria spinosissima

AGM Award
Mammillaria spinosissima, Spiny Pincushion Cactus, Cactus spinosissimus, Neomammillaria spinosissima, Small Succulents, Small Cactus
Mammillaria spinosissima, Spiny Pincushion Cactus, Cactus spinosissimus, Neomammillaria spinosissima, Small Succulents, Small Cactus

Mammillaria spinosissima (Spiny Pincushion Cactus) is a small cactus with solitary stems at first, then often clustering later.  The cylindrical dark blue-green stems, up to 12-20 in. tall (30-50 cm) and 4 in. wide (10 cm), are covered with dense bristly red-brown or white central spines, and cream radials. In spring, it produces a pretty ring of carmine-pink flowers, 0.8 in across (2 cm). The blossoms are followed by small greenish to dull purple fruits. Mammillaria spinosissima offsets readily and can fill a 10 in. (25 cm) pot in only a few years in optimum growing conditions. Easy to grow and fast-growing, this miniature 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 12-20 in. tall (30-50 cm) and 3-4 in. wide (7-10 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 central Mexico.

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Plant Type Houseplants, Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Cactaceae
Genus Mammillaria
Common names Pincushion Cactus, Cactus
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 3" - 4" (8cm - 10cm)
Spacing 3" - 4" (8cm - 10cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Mammillaria
Not sure which Mammillaria to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Ferocactus latispinus (Devil’s Tongue Cactus)
Mammillaria candida (Snowball Pincushion)
Mammillaria carmenae (Carmen Pincushion Cactus)
Mammillaria senilis
Mammillaria plumosa (Feather Cactus)
Mammillaria prolifera (Texas Nipple Cactus)

Recommended Companion Plants

Astrophytum myriostigma (Bishop’s Cap)
Encelia farinosa (Brittlebush)
Cylindropuntia bigelovii (Teddybear Cholla)
Agave

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Do Succulents Need Sun?
Indoor Succulent Plants: Best Varieties for Your Home
Are Succulents Poisonous to Cats?
Succulent Garden: Creative Ideas for Indoors and Outdoors
How to Care for Succulents Indoors and Outdoors
How Often to Water Succulents Indoors and Outdoors
Succulent Soil: The Key to Healthy Growth
How To Propagate Succulents
80 Types of Succulents for Beginners and Expert Gardeners
Succulent Plants
Mammillaria
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.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Plant Type Houseplants, Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Cactaceae
Genus Mammillaria
Common names Pincushion Cactus, Cactus
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 3" - 4" (8cm - 10cm)
Spacing 3" - 4" (8cm - 10cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Mammillaria
Not sure which Mammillaria to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Mammillaria spinosissima (Spiny Pincushion Cactus) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Mammillaria spinosissima (Spiny Pincushion Cactus) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    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!

    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!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone