Mammillaria surculosa

RHS Plant Profile
suckering pincushion cactus

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Mammillaria surculosa?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
suckering pincushion cactus RHS
Award of Garden Merit
Cactus Succulent
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
1 Suppliers

A diminutive species forming small colonies of squat stems. These bear fine hairs and large lemon flowers at their crown in spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

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

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cactaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
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
Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Requires a free draining compost with low organic content and full sun. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring or by potting up offsets

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • 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 whitefly

Diseases

Sharp drainage, reduced watering in winter and good air circulation will ward off rots