Cactaceae
Silken Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria bombycina)
Mammillaria bombycina
An easy cactus: full sun or very bright light, a gritty, fast-draining mix, and water only when the pot has dried out completely. In winter keep it dry and cool (but frost-free); that rest helps it flower. It will not take freezing; bring it in below 1-5 °C. Watch for mealybugs among the spines and for overwatering, which rots the base.
Every 14 days
Direct sun
1° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Silken pincushion cactus?
Silken pincushion cactus (Mammillaria bombycina) is a easy-care plant from the Cactaceae family. Mammillaria bombycina is a small cactus in the family Cactaceae, native to a small area of west-central Mexico, in southwestern Aguascalientes and northeastern Jalisco, where it grows in dry, rocky scrub. The stems are globular to cylindrical, up to 20 cm tall and 5-6 cm across, covered in tubercles...
Silken pincushion cactus grows up to 20cm, spread of 50cm, watering every 14 days. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Silken pincushion cactus tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Silken pincushion cactus is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 28 days.
How to Care for Silken pincushion cactus?
TLDR: Silken pincushion cactus needs Direct sun, watering every 14 days, and temperatures between 1-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Silken pincushion cactus?
In spring and summer, water deeply and let the mix dry out completely before watering again, usually every 10 to 20 days depending on heat. In winter, stop nearly all watering. Never leave water standing in the saucer.
How Much Light Does Silken pincushion cactus Need?
Needs plenty of sun: full direct sun outdoors or the brightest window indoors. When moving it outside, acclimatise it gradually to avoid scorch.
What Is the Best Soil for Silken pincushion cactus?
Use a cactus mix with plenty of mineral grit (70-80% coarse sand, pumice or perlite). Acid, neutral or alkaline pH is fine as long as it drains fast.
What Pot Should You Use for Silken pincushion cactus?
An unglazed clay or terracotta pot, shallow to medium depth, with a drainage hole and only slightly wider than the clump.
What Is Silken pincushion cactus and Where Does It Come From?
Mammillaria bombycina is a small cactus in the family Cactaceae, native to a small area of west-central Mexico, in southwestern Aguascalientes and northeastern Jalisco, where it grows in dry, rocky scrub. The stems are globular to cylindrical, up to 20 cm tall and 5-6 cm across, covered in tubercles that carry 30 to 60 thin white radial spines and 1 or 2 dark red central spines that stand upright and are hooked at the tip. Young plants are usually solitary; with age they offset to form clumps from 30 cm to nearly 1 m wide. In spring a ring of deep rose-pink, funnel-shaped flowers about 1.5 cm across opens around the top of the stems, followed by small pinkish fruit. It holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
How to Propagate Silken pincushion cactus?
Offsets
Hold it with tongs or folded newspaper: the hooked spines catch on skin and gloves.
- 1 Using tongs or thick gloves, cut an offset away from the clump with a clean knife
- 2 Let the cut dry in the shade for a few days until it calluses
- 3 Set it on dry cactus mix, just resting on the surface
- 4 Start watering lightly after 1-2 weeks, once roots form
Materials needed:
Seeds
Seedlings grow slowly and take a few years to flower.
- 1 In early spring, scatter the seeds on fine, moist mix without covering them
- 2 Keep at 19-24 °C in bright light without strong sun
- 3 Cover with clear plastic to hold in moisture
- 4 Remove the cover gradually as the seedlings grow
Materials needed:
How Big Does Silken pincushion cactus Grow?
TLDR: Silken pincushion cactus can reach up to 20cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
20cm
Spread
50cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Silken pincushion cactus?
TLDR: Silken pincushion cactus is susceptible to 3 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Fun Facts
Its central spines are hooked like fish hooks and snag easily on clothes and gloves
Bombycina comes from the Latin for silk, after the silky look of the white spines
In the wild it lives only in a small area between Aguascalientes and Jalisco, Mexico
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Mammillaria bombycina?
Why won't my Mammillaria bombycina flower?
Is Mammillaria bombycina cold hardy?
Is the silken pincushion toxic to cats and dogs?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
