Parodia mammulosa subsp. mammulosa

RHS Plant Profile
Tom thumb cactus

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Other common names

ball cactus

Synonyms

Notocactus mammulosus

Award of Garden Merit
Cactus Succulent Houseplants

A spherical cactus to 13cm tall, with a dark green stem and 13-21 warty ribs. Up to 25 white or pale brown radial spines arise from each areole, along with 2-4 longer central spines. Funnel-shaped yellow flowers to 5cm long are produced in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–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

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
Parodia are cacti with either solitary or clustered, many-ribbed, globose, spiny stems, with funnel-shaped flowers near the apex
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in cactus compost in full light. From spring to summer water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; keep dry at other times. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19-24°C in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free