Scientific name: Mammillaria elongata
Common name: Ladyfinger cactus
The cactus is perfect for a beginner’s garden. There are dense green and orange clusters with light yellow or pink flowers in the Spring.
Quick Look at Mammillaria elongata
- Full sun to partial shade
- Typical water needs for a succulent
- Plant grows up to 8″ (20 cm) tall
Plant grows up to 12″ (30.5 cm) wide - Zone 9a (Minimum 20° F | -6.7° C)
- Not cold hardy
- Propagation by offsets
- Generally non-toxic to humans and animals
- Winter Dormant
General Care for Mammillaria elongata “Ladyfinger Cactus”
The Ladyfinger cactus is easy to care for. It grows well indoors when given enough light.
Watering
Mammillaria elongata has a lot of water needs. The “soak and dry” method will allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
In the winter, only a small amount of water is used to prevent rot.
Where to Plant
Mammillaria elongata is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 20 F, it’s best to plant it indoors. It does well in both full and partial sun.
You can plant in a garden that gets 4 hours of sunlight a day. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, place a room that gets a lot of sunlight near a southern-facing window.
How to Propagate Mammillaria elongata “Ladyfinger Cactus”
Cuttings
The Ladyfinger cactus can be grown. Use care when cutting. Follow the directions in the post to learn how to handle a cactus.
To remove a clump, you will need nitrile dipped gloves, silicone tongs, and a sharp knife.
Pull one of the cylindrical stems away from the main cluster using the tongs. If you can’t break it off without pulling up the rest of the plant, use the knife to cut through the stem.
Allow the end of the stem to be calloused for a few days before placing it in well-draining soil.
