Mammillaria petterssonii

RHS Plant Profile
Pettersson's pincushion cactus

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Synonyms

Mammillaria apozolensis var. saltensis

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Cactus Succulent

A clustering cactus with spherical stems to 12cm round, with woolly axils and pointed tubercles bearing long, yellow-brown central spines surrounded by fine white radial spines. Produces pink or white funnel-shaped flowers, with dark pink mid-veins, in a ring around the crown of the stem from spring to summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
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
Clump forming
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a free draining cactus compost, in full light with shade from hot sun. Water freely during the growing season and sparingly in winter. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for more details

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19-24°C (66-75°F) in late winter or early spring, or by division, removing offsets in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and root mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free