Plant Lust
ShopOrderSellblog
0

  • Plant types

  • Plant styles

  • Planting conditions

  • Seasonal interest

  • Nurseries & Gardens

    • Photo of Mammillaria vetula ssp. gracilis flower, foliage by Michael Wolf

    Photo by Michael Wolf

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

    Show all photos

    Mammillaria vetula ssp. gracilis

    Also Known As

    • Mammillaria gracilis
    • Mammillaria gracilis fragilis
    • Thimble Cactus

    Plant type

    gift, cactus / succulent

    size

    • H: 4"-8"
    • W: 3"-9"

    planting zones

    • 9a-12

    More Options

    Mammillaria vetula ssp. gracilis plant details

    Mammillaria vetula ssp. gracilis is an evergreen cactus / succulent or gift with green and white foliage. In summer and winter cream, pink and yellow flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Grows well with sun - bright shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Does well in gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Mammillaria vetula ssp. gracilis

    Plant type: cactus / succulent or gift
    Plant family: cactaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green and white
    Mature size: 3 IN - 9 IN - wide, 4 IN - 8 IN - tall
    Flowers: cream, pink and yellow blooms in summer and winter
    Uses: clumping, container plant, heirloom, houseplant, mounding, rock garden, spiky, xeric

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Mammillaria vetula ssp. gracilis

    USDA Zones: 9a - 12
    Sun exposure: sun - bright shade
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Resistant to: deer, heat and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: gritty and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    One of Sean’s childhood plants, this is a clustering, small cactus from central Mexico that eventually produces 8” mounds covered with crystalline white spines and, in summer, pinkish flowers. Any brightly lit situation is fine, especially those that dry out a bit in winter. A good small rock garden plant where temperatures remain above 20° F, USDA zone 9.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Mammillaria gracilis fragilis is an adorable, compact-growing cactus, nicknamed Thimble Cactus, featuring bright green cylindrical offsets each with a network of white spines. The offsets have a tendency to roll off, so handle with care. Luckily, they will root wherever they have fallen to create a new cluster. Displays bell-shaped, cream colored flowers. Provide a well-drained soil away from reflected heat. Requires little water once established. Ideal in warm climate landscapes, rock gardens and container gardens, but is especially happy sitting on your bright windowsill as a houseplant. Protect your PRINCE OF PARADISE™ from frost!

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    Adorable, rapidly clumping little mammillaria native to Mexico. Tame, white spines on thimble sized columns. Tiny yellow flowers with pink sepals in the spring and summer. Quickly fills a pot! Great compliment in succulent dish gardens or alone filling a pot. Branches break off easily but can be re rooted quickly and easily.

    By: Paradise Found Nursery

    Bright Light. Indoor/Outdoor. Creamy Yellow Flowers.

    By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

    Gardening facts about Mammillaria vetula ssp. gracilis plant

    How to Grow Mammillaria vetula ssp. gracilis

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - bright shade

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in winter

    • Soil Needs

      • well-drained
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • white
      • green

    • Flower Color

      • cream
      • pink
      • yellow

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • winter
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glaucous

    See other plant types of Mammillaria for your garden

    Mammillaria compressa

    aka Cactus compressa, Mammillaria angularis, Mammillaria angularis, Mammillaria angularis f. compressa, Mammillaria angularis var. compressa, Neomammillaria compressa, Mother of Hundreds

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 6"-12"

    Width: 9"-15"

    • sun - bright shade
    • occasional - low
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Mammillaria compressa flower by Paradise Found Nursery
    View Plant

    More Options

    Mammillaria formosa subsp. microthele

    aka Mammillaria formosa var. microthele, Mammillaria microthele

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    8a-11

    Size

    Height: 4"-6"

    Width: 6"-12"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Mammillaria formosa subsp. microthele close-up, form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Mammillaria gigantea

    aka Mammillaria armatissima, Mammillaria hamilton-hoytea, Mammillaria hamiltonhoytea, Mammillaria hastifera, Mammillaria ocotillensis

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 2"-4"

    Width: 5"-7"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Mammillaria gigantea close-up, form, spiky by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Mammillaria klissingiana

    aka Mammillaria brauneana, Neomammillaria brauneana, Neomammillaria klissingiana

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    9b-11

    Size

    Height: 4"-6"

    Width: 3"-16"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Mammillaria klissingiana close-up, form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Mammillaria magnimamma

    aka Mammillaria centricirrha, Mammillaria vagaspina, Mammillaria zuccariniana

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    9b-11

    Size

    Height: 2"-15"

    Width: 4"-24"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Mammillaria magnimamma close-up, form, spiky by Stan Shebs
    View Plant
    +78 more Mammillaria
    Mailing List
    Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

    © 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved