Mammillaria elegans

With a columnar stem in a rich green hue, what most sets Mammillaria elegans apart is its tightly packed, concentrically arranged tubercles, from each of which a starburst of creamy spines emerges. Viewed altogether, these spines form a mesmerizing layer of almost wooly texture, lending at once both a swirled and a polka dotted appearance to this truly elegant specimen. During the spring and summer months, bright magenta blooms will ring the apex of the stem, adding yet another layer of delicate appeal sure to find a place in even the most comprehensive succulent collection.

Native to Mexico, Mammillaria elegans can reach up to 8 inches in height when provided with ample, bright to direct sunlight and a watering routine that allows the soil to dry out completely in between drinks. Like all cacti, overwatering can predispose this variety to rot – to mitigate this risk, be sure to utilize a porous soil mixture within a well-draining pot, ensure ample airflow around the stem and soil surface, and water thoroughly yet infrequently.

Though cooler winter temperatures in the range of 45-60 degrees can encourage ample blooms in the springtime, it is important to never subject Mammillaria elegans to frost, which can otherwise result in permanent damage to the stem.

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All plants are shipped bare-root with the exception of House Plants and Plant Club Subscription Boxes. House plants and succulents will ship from separate locations and may arrive at different times. Orders ship Monday-Friday each week. Please allow 1-3 business days for your order to be processed. We ship within the USA and its outlying territories ONLY. Read our full policy here.

Plant sizing is based on the diameter of the nursery pot (2", 2.5", 3", 4" etc), not the plant itself. Plants may be slightly larger or smaller than the pot they are grow in depending on availability or time of year. While we do our best to ship plants as similar to those pictured as possible, please keep in mind that all plants are unique from one to the next, and display color, shape, and growth variation based on current environment, time of year, and other contributing factors. Please note that we ship our plants as dry as possible in the fall and winter months to prevent root rot or freezing. They will plump back up after planting!