Mammillaria plumosa, the feather cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to Northeastern Mexico. Its clumping plants form low dense mounds covered with white feathery spines. The flowers are yellowish-white.
Mammillaria plumosa grows to 12 cm tall by 40 cm broad. The clustering spherical stems, 7 cm in diameter, are completely covered in white downy spines. The white “feathers” on Mammillaria plumosa look soft and fluffy, but they hide the sharp spines that cover this cactus. The “feathers” not only add interest to the cactus, but they also shade the plant from heat and sun. “Feather Cactus” does well in container gardens. Its flowers range from white to yellow to pink, and although in some areas they can bloom throughout the year, typical flowering occurs in the spring.
