Pincushion Cactus
Mammillaria pringlei. USDA zone 9a-11b, hardy to 25F. Lives: Front patio.
About this Pincushion Cactus
Mammillaria pringlei is a cylindrical to club-shaped cactus native to the Sonoran Desert of northwestern Mexico, particularly Baja California and Sonora. It forms dense clusters of stems covered in a mix of radial and central spines — the central spines often hooked and tinged reddish-brown, giving the plant a warm, bristly texture. In spring it produces a ring of small, bright pink to magenta flowers that encircle the upper portion of each stem, followed by red club-shaped fruits. It is a relatively fast-growing Mammillaria and is tolerant of heat and drought once established.
Pickup from Home Depot in February — a find that didn't require much deliberation. The clustering habit and spring bloom ring make it one of the more rewarding pincushions to grow, and it settled onto the front patio without complaint.