Mammillaria gracilis is a beautiful, small cactus that has a cylindrical green body covered in interwoven white spines. “Thimble Cactus” grows in clusters, and propagates very easily. You can expect to see tiny cream-colored flowers in cooler months.
Mammillaria gracilis Care
Mammillaria gracilis
Other names: Mammillaria Gracilis Cv. Oruga, Mammillaria Vetula Subsp Gracilis
What is the plant
The thimble cactus, Mammillaria vetula subsp. gracilis (Mammillaria gracilis), is a small cactus with somewhat slender, cylindrical, bright green body clustering and branching freely, but the offsets easily detached. The offsets are easily knocked off so the plant must be handled with care; however, these offsets quickly root if placed on the ground. The tubercles are roundish, each being tipped by stiff white spines, radiating like a star, making the plant look lace-covered. There are one or more longer dark-brown central spines. Creamy white, bell-shaped flowers appear in spring or in late summer-autumn. Eventually, this cactus forms a large, rounded clumps. Typically subsp. gracilis has only 11-16 radials, often lacks central spines, and flowers are less than 12 mm long.
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Humidity
Dry
Lighting
Full Sun
Temperature
20°C - 35°C
Hardiness zone
min 8b
Difficulty
Easy
How to Care for the Plant
Water
Mammillarria gracilis fragilis has typical watering needs. It's best to use the “soak and dry” method.
Pruning
Trim out dead and damaged leaves any time, pinching off or cutting off each of those leaves at its base. Avoid cutting into a plant's main stems or its crown, which is where its leaves and roots meet.
Fertilizer
Universal fertilizer is a granular and mineral product intended for the fertilization of all types of garden cultivations. Its balanced content is suitable both for fruit trees, fruit bushes, vegetables, and ornamental plants. The even composition of individual elements makes the fertilizer universal.
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Sunlight
The minimal sun requirements of four to six hours.
Soil
Loam soil offers a great balance of silt, sand, and clay as well as a bit of hummus.
Temperature
Extremely hardy, can tolerate full sun, long periods of dryness and light frost (-4°C). However, if you live in a zone that gets colder than 30°F (-1.1°C), it’s best to plant it in a container that can be brought indoors.
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Container
Pot should provide ample drainage and room for growth.
Popularity
4,496 people already have this plant 1,216 people have added this plant to their wishlists
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