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.
Mammillaria marksiana forms globe-shaped fresh green stems covered in red-brown spines with some down around the flowering area. Flowers appear during the day in spring and are bright yellow. Slow-growing, it eventually develops into a cluster of stems, but takes some years to do so.
For best results grow Mammillaria marksiana 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.
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Mammillaria and wildlife
Mammillaria has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
