Mammillaria is a large group of small cacti, often called pincushions, that grow as single heads or tight clumps. Many wear a ring of bright flowers in spring, and some of the best are native to the Sonoran Desert.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the cactus guidance in our Landscape Care guide. In the ground, most need little extra water once established, though an occasional summer drink can bring on a second bloom. Plants in pots dry out faster and need more attention. Fast-draining soil matters most; wet soil causes rot.
Pruning
None needed. Simply remove any dead heads at the base.
Heat and sun
Small cacti scorch more easily than large ones. An east-facing spot, or the light shade of a nearby shrub or boulder, protects them from harsh afternoon and reflected sun.
How our designers use it
Close-up detail
Our designers tuck them into rock gardens and between boulders, where they can be seen up close.
Pots and planters
They suit low bowls and planters at entries and on patios, where drainage is easy to control.
Under a nurse plant
In naturalistic plantings they sit at the edge of a tree or shrub canopy, much as they grow in the wild.
Good to know
Around the pool
They are small and easy to overlook, and hooked spines can catch skin and towels. Keep them out of barefoot zones and off the pool deck edge.
