Mammillaria Polythele Cactus Plant

Mammillaria polythele is a completely different cactus from the plant in your uploaded photos.

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About Mammillaria polythele

• Botanical Name: Mammillaria polythele
• Family: Cactaceae
• Common Names: Glory Pincushion Cactus, Mammillaria Polythele
• Origin: Mexico
• Growth Habit: Solitary, globular to cylindrical cactus
• Size: 10–30 cm tall
• Flowers: Pink to magenta, ring-shaped around the crown
• Blooming Season: Spring to early summer

How to Grow in a Pot

Pot

• Use a 4–6 inch terracotta pot with drainage holes.
• Terracotta is preferred as it dries quickly.

Potting Mix

Use a fast-draining cactus mix:

• 50% coarse river sand
• 20% perlite or pumice
• 20% cocopeat
• 10% compost or leaf mold

Never use heavy garden soil.

Light

• Needs 5–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Indoors, keep it in the brightest south- or west-facing window.

Watering

• Water thoroughly only when the soil is completely dry.
• Summer: every 10–15 days.
• Winter: every 20–30 days.

Avoid overwatering, as it is the most common cause of root rot.

Temperature

• Ideal: 18–35°C
• Protect from frost and prolonged cold below 5°C.

Fertilizer

• Feed once a month during spring and summer with a diluted cactus fertilizer.
• Do not fertilize in winter.

Repotting

• Repot every 2–3 years into fresh cactus mix.

Propagation

• By seeds (most common).
• Some forms also produce offsets that can be separated.