Mammillaria spinosissima features dense reddish spines and a ring of bright pink flowers with yellow centers, growing in a pot with pebbles.
A close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima, showing its white and brown spines in a black pot filled with pebbles. The softly blurred background highlights this distinctive cactus.
A Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white spines and brownish tips sits in a black plastic pot filled with pebbles on a wooden surface.
A small green Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white spines and orange tips sits in a black square pot filled with pebbles, set against a plain white background.
A Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white and orange spines sits in a black rectangular pot filled with pebbles on a wooden surface.
A close-up of a Mammillaria spinosissima, featuring sharp reddish-brown spines, in a black pot with pebbles against a white background.
A Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white and brown spines sits in a black square pot filled with pebbles, displayed on a wooden surface.
A close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima shows its dense white and brown spines as it grows in a black pot with pebbly soil, set against a softly blurred brown background.
A compact Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white, red-tipped spines sits in a black square pot filled with pebbles on a wooden surface.
Close-up of the Mammillaria spinosissima, also known as Red Headed Irishman, in a pot. Dense orange and white spines radiate outward against a softly blurred background with warm wooden tones.
A round Mammillaria spinosissima displays a ring of vibrant pink flowers atop reddish spines in a small pot with pebbles, while other potted cacti appear blurred in the background.
A round Mammillaria spinosissima, noted for its reddish spines and small pink flowers near the base, sits in a gravel-filled pot among other spiny pincushion cacti.
A top-down view of Mammillaria spinosissima shows radial clusters of reddish and white spines, displayed in a square container filled with small pebbles.
Close-up of a Mammillaria spinosissima cactus, showing sharp reddish-brown spines radiating from white, fuzzy areoles. The spines form a distinct starburst pattern across the surface.
Close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima, also called Red Headed Irishman, showing dense white and reddish-brown spines at the top, surrounded by small stones at the base.
A compact, round Mammillaria spinosissima with orange-tipped spines sits in a brown pot filled with light gravel, set against a plain white background.
A Mammillaria spinosissima with white spines and reddish tips sits in a terra cotta pot filled with light gravel on a wooden surface, set against a brown textured background.
A small, round Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white and orange spines sits in a brown pot filled with light gravel, set against a plain white background.
Top-down view of Mammillaria spinosissima in a pot, highlighting its radial spines and symmetrical pattern, placed on a wooden surface.
A small, round Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with orange-tipped white spines sits in a terracotta pot filled with light gravel on a wooden surface against a blurred brown background.
A small green Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white spines and orange tips sits in a brown pot filled with light gravel, placed on a wooden surface against a neutral background.
Close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima, showing dense white and reddish spines at the top, potted with light-colored pebbles on a wooden surface against a blurred brown background.
A close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima, featuring dense white spines with orange tips, potted in light pebbles against a softly blurred brown background.
A close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima, showing its dense white and orange spines, potted in light-colored pebbles against a plain white background.
Mammillaria spinosissima features dense reddish spines and a ring of bright pink flowers with yellow centers, growing in a pot with pebbles.
A close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima, showing its white and brown spines in a black pot filled with pebbles. The softly blurred background highlights this distinctive cactus.
A Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white spines and brownish tips sits in a black plastic pot filled with pebbles on a wooden surface.
A small green Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white spines and orange tips sits in a black square pot filled with pebbles, set against a plain white background.
A Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white and orange spines sits in a black rectangular pot filled with pebbles on a wooden surface.
A close-up of a Mammillaria spinosissima, featuring sharp reddish-brown spines, in a black pot with pebbles against a white background.
A Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white and brown spines sits in a black square pot filled with pebbles, displayed on a wooden surface.
A close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima shows its dense white and brown spines as it grows in a black pot with pebbly soil, set against a softly blurred brown background.
A compact Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white, red-tipped spines sits in a black square pot filled with pebbles on a wooden surface.
Close-up of the Mammillaria spinosissima, also known as Red Headed Irishman, in a pot. Dense orange and white spines radiate outward against a softly blurred background with warm wooden tones.
A round Mammillaria spinosissima displays a ring of vibrant pink flowers atop reddish spines in a small pot with pebbles, while other potted cacti appear blurred in the background.
A round Mammillaria spinosissima, noted for its reddish spines and small pink flowers near the base, sits in a gravel-filled pot among other spiny pincushion cacti.
A top-down view of Mammillaria spinosissima shows radial clusters of reddish and white spines, displayed in a square container filled with small pebbles.
Close-up of a Mammillaria spinosissima cactus, showing sharp reddish-brown spines radiating from white, fuzzy areoles. The spines form a distinct starburst pattern across the surface.
Close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima, also called Red Headed Irishman, showing dense white and reddish-brown spines at the top, surrounded by small stones at the base.
A compact, round Mammillaria spinosissima with orange-tipped spines sits in a brown pot filled with light gravel, set against a plain white background.
A Mammillaria spinosissima with white spines and reddish tips sits in a terra cotta pot filled with light gravel on a wooden surface, set against a brown textured background.
A small, round Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white and orange spines sits in a brown pot filled with light gravel, set against a plain white background.
Top-down view of Mammillaria spinosissima in a pot, highlighting its radial spines and symmetrical pattern, placed on a wooden surface.
A small, round Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with orange-tipped white spines sits in a terracotta pot filled with light gravel on a wooden surface against a blurred brown background.
A small green Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with white spines and orange tips sits in a brown pot filled with light gravel, placed on a wooden surface against a neutral background.
Close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima, showing dense white and reddish spines at the top, potted with light-colored pebbles on a wooden surface against a blurred brown background.
A close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima, featuring dense white spines with orange tips, potted in light pebbles against a softly blurred brown background.
A close-up of Mammillaria spinosissima, showing its dense white and orange spines, potted in light-colored pebbles against a plain white background.

Mammillaria spinosissima is a fast-growing cactus originating from Mexico. Commonly known as Spiny Pincushion Cactus or Red Headed Irishman, this cylindrical plant is quite easy to cultivate. The winter-dormant plant belongs to the Cactaceae family and grows up to 12 inches in height. The purple-colored flowers of these cacti look truly exceptional. 

Growth rate

The Spiny pincushion cactus has a fast growth rate. The plant is not very demanding.

Flowering

You get to enjoy seeing purple-yellow blooms from early to mid-summer. The cactus is certainly a must-have in your cactus collection.

Watering

Summertime irrigation should be consistent but not excessive. In winter, maintain dryness with plenty of airflow. Low air humidity during the dormancy period is recommended. 

Soil

This species prefers regular cactus mix soil that is quite porous and contains minimal organic materials.

Hardiness
The Red Headed Irishman cactus is hardy in zones 8 to 11. It is frost-resistant and cannot survive in temperatures less than 23° F (-5° C).

Light

This Mammillaria species prefers bright, direct sunshine but needs partial shade as well. If left in the sun's direct rays for too long, susceptible to sunburn.

Propagation

The propagation of these cacti can be done by seeds or cuttings.

The Mammillaria spinosissima red headed Irishman grows best indoors, though pots can be transferred to a sunny, protected patio in the middle of the summer. Check this one on Planet Desert!

Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz

Bloom Season

Earlymid summer

Flower Color

Purple yellow

Growth Rate

Fast

Hardiness Zone

8 to 11

Mature Size

12 in

Resistance

13 °c

Sun Exposure

Full sun (6+ hrs.)
Bloom Season Earlymid summer
Botanical Name Mammillaria spinosissima
Common Name Spiny pin cushion
Common Name Spiny pin cushion cactus
Dormancy Winter
Family Cactaceae
Flower Color Purple yellow
Genus Mammillaria
Growth Habit Cylindrical
Growth Rate Fast
Hardiness Zone 8 to 11
Mature Size 12 in
Native Area Mexico
Resistance 13 °c
Sun Exposure Full sun (6+ hrs.)
Back To Plant Description Main Page

Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features

Bloom Season Earlymid summer
Botanical Name Mammillaria spinosissima
Common Name Spiny pin cushion
Common Name Spiny pin cushion cactus
Dormancy Winter
Family Cactaceae
Flower Color Purple yellow
Genus Mammillaria
Growth Habit Cylindrical
Growth Rate Fast
Hardiness Zone 8 to 11
Mature Size 12 in
Native Area Mexico
Resistance 13 °c
Sun Exposure Full sun (6+ hrs.)

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Mammillaria spinosissima

sku: 1638

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$ 6.49
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Please note: All Landscape Ready plants that are in a 6-inch pot or larger WILL NOT come with a pot as it will be shipped bare root.

Please note: Our large plants are many years old, and as a result, they might have minor scaring but will arrive 100% healthy and looking great.

Please note: Our large plants are shipped bare root. They are also many years old, and as a result, they might have minor scaring but will arrive healthy and looking great.

Please note: All perennial drought tolerant plants 6 inch and larger plants will be shipped bare root. Before sending perennial plants, we often trim the leafy parts and remove flowers or buds. This helps them survive shipping and adjust to transplanting better.
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Any plant that is 6" and larger that is not in our Houseplant category will be shipped bare root (without a pot).

What makes us different is the passion and the attention to detail in all we do here at Planet Desert. We are confident in the quality of our products. That’s why all our plants have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you can return the product and get a refund or exchange it for another one — similar or not. Shipping charges may apply.

You can return a product for up to 14 days from the date of purchase. Please submit photos with your order number to info@planetdesert.com to initiate your return. Shipping fees may apply.

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  • Description
  • Key Plant Features

Mammillaria spinosissima is a fast-growing cactus originating from Mexico. Commonly known as Spiny Pincushion Cactus or Red Headed Irishman, this cylindrical plant is quite easy to cultivate. The winter-dormant plant belongs to the Cactaceae family and grows up to 12 inches in height. The purple-colored flowers of these cacti look truly exceptional. 

Growth rate

The Spiny pincushion cactus has a fast growth rate. The plant is not very demanding.

Flowering

You get to enjoy seeing purple-yellow blooms from early to mid-summer. The cactus is certainly a must-have in your cactus collection.

Watering

Summertime irrigation should be consistent but not excessive. In winter, maintain dryness with plenty of airflow. Low air humidity during the dormancy period is recommended. 

Soil

This species prefers regular cactus mix soil that is quite porous and contains minimal organic materials.

Hardiness
The Red Headed Irishman cactus is hardy in zones 8 to 11. It is frost-resistant and cannot survive in temperatures less than 23° F (-5° C).

Light

This Mammillaria species prefers bright, direct sunshine but needs partial shade as well. If left in the sun's direct rays for too long, susceptible to sunburn.

Propagation

The propagation of these cacti can be done by seeds or cuttings.

The Mammillaria spinosissima red headed Irishman grows best indoors, though pots can be transferred to a sunny, protected patio in the middle of the summer. Check this one on Planet Desert!

Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz

Bloom Season

Earlymid summer

Flower Color

Purple yellow

Growth Rate

Fast

Hardiness Zone

8 to 11

Mature Size

12 in

Resistance

13 °c

Sun Exposure

Full sun (6+ hrs.)
Bloom Season Earlymid summer
Botanical Name Mammillaria spinosissima
Common Name Spiny pin cushion
Common Name Spiny pin cushion cactus
Dormancy Winter
Family Cactaceae
Flower Color Purple yellow
Genus Mammillaria
Growth Habit Cylindrical
Growth Rate Fast
Hardiness Zone 8 to 11
Mature Size 12 in
Native Area Mexico
Resistance 13 °c
Sun Exposure Full sun (6+ hrs.)

Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features

Bloom Season Earlymid summer
Botanical Name Mammillaria spinosissima
Common Name Spiny pin cushion
Common Name Spiny pin cushion cactus
Dormancy Winter
Family Cactaceae
Flower Color Purple yellow
Genus Mammillaria
Growth Habit Cylindrical
Growth Rate Fast
Hardiness Zone 8 to 11
Mature Size 12 in
Native Area Mexico
Resistance 13 °c
Sun Exposure Full sun (6+ hrs.)

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