- Botanical name: Mammillaria hahniana
- Common name: Old lady cactus
- Family: Cactaceae
- Plant Type: Cactus or succulent, House plant, Evergreen
Pink
Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
Mammillaria is a genus of spiny cacti native to the desert regions of Central America, particularly Mexico. Plants usually form clusters of spherical or columnar stems, and bear funnel-shaped flowers.
Known as the old lady cactus, Mammillaria hahniana forms globe-shaped stems covered in fine white spines and white down, from which a circle of pretty pink flowers appears in spring. It’s the perfect cactus for beginners and makes a fine addition to any cactus collection. The multi-headed form bears several globe-shaped stems, as opposed to the one head of the single-headed form.
For best results grow Mammillaria hahniana 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 all 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.
How to grow Mammillaria hahniana
-
Plant size
20cm height
30cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do Sow in June |
J
Do Sow in July |
A
Do Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do Sow in November |
D
Do Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Mammillaria hahniana and wildlife
Mammillaria hahniana has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Mammillaria hahniana poisonous?
Mammillaria hahniana has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Mammillaria hahniana
