Known as the snowball cactus, Mammillaria candida is covered in a dense mat of white spines, often tinged pink. Flowers appear in spring and are yellow with pink veins.
For best results grow Mammillaria candida in cactus compost in containers in full sun. Water from mid-spring to summer only, and feed once a month with a special cactus fertiliser. Like many cacti growing in a temperate climate, it's best grown as a houseplant but containers may be moved to a sunny, sheltered patio in midsummer.
Plant calendar
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Flowers
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Mammillaria and wildlife
Mammillaria has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
