This sub-globose cactus forms a trunk up to 50mm (2in) thick and becomes clumped with age. It has up to 21-thick tubercles that have axils with long white hairs and tipped with brownish spines. The white to pink funnel-shaped flowers appear during summer.

Hardiness zones 10 to 11 

Mammillaria longicoma is naturally found in North America growing in central Mexico in an open sunny position on very well drained, moderately fertile course soils and tolerates drought or high temperatures but is frost tender.

This cactus is grown for its flowers and is planted in small or cactus and succulent gardens as a specimen. It is suitable for inland regions and used in rockeries or roof gardens establishing from division in 2 to 3 years. It is also used as an indoor plant or against a sunny wall. ID 2091

Mammillaria (măm-i-LAH-ree-a) longicoma (long-ee-KO-ma)

Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)