Mammillaria magnimamma

RHS Plant Profile
Mexican pincushion

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Mexican pincushion RHS
Mexican pincushion RHS

Synonyms

Dolichothele longimamma

Award of Garden Merit
Cactus Succulent

A clump-forming perennial cactus. Tubby and spherical green stems are covered with tubercles (nodules), white spines and wool. Stems may reach 30cm in height. Small, funnel-shaped flowers, borne in spring and perhaps again in late summer, near the crowns are usually pink, but may also be red or cream

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cactaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Mammillaria are spiny cacti with spherical or columnar stems, often in clusters, with many prominent tubercles, and funnel-shaped flowers usually in a ring near the apex of the stem
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
C Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Requires full sun and a well-drained potting medium. Minimum temperature of 5°C, so could be put outdoors in summer. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by potting up offsets or by propagate by seed in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse white fly

Diseases

Sharp drainage and keeping completely dry in winter will prevent rots