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Mammillaria gracilis
Place the cactus in a sunny spot.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. Do not water in winter.
It can withstand temperatures as low as -6.7 °C for short periods. However, the plant is not frost-resistant.
Individual shoots easily fall off this plant, which may seem like a problem, but at the same time they root easily and quickly form new plants.
Mammillaria gracilis is native to Mexico, specifically the states of Hidalgo and Queretaro. It is also known by the common names Thimble Cactus and Thimble Mammillaria.
It is a small cactus with cylindrical, bright green stems densely covered with white spines. Individual stems can reach up to about 13 cm in length and around 3 cm in diameter. Most of the spines grow around the surface of the stem, but occasionally 1 to 5 longer central spines of dark brown colour may appear. The plant produces offsets and gradually forms larger clusters, and the offsets detach easily while also rooting without difficulty.
The flowers are creamy to pale yellow, with a pinkish or brownish stripe in the centre. They usually appear in spring, but sometimes also in late summer or autumn. The blooms can be up to about 1.5 cm long and around 1.3 cm across.
It grows best in the brightest possible position in well-draining soil, and fertilising is not recommended. For better flowering, it is helpful to provide a cool winter rest period and stop watering during that time. If you are looking for a small cactus that is easy to propagate and gradually forms attractive clusters, it is an excellent choice.