Mammillaria spinosissima ssp. pilcayensis 'Bristle Brush'

With fuzzy tan areoles clustered so heavily with spines that they nearly obscure the deep green stems, it is no surprise how bristle brush received its common name. While the spiny stem is eye-catching all on its own, deep pink blooms will ring the apex of the stems during springtime, creating a rich contrast with the warm hue of the spines.

When provided with the right growing conditions, this Mexican native can reach up to 15 inches in height, eventually producing a cluster of offsets around the central stem. To encourage this level of growth, be sure to provide it’ with ample bright sunlight – at least a few hours of direct sun each day will go even further! To avoid the most common pitfall in caring for cacti, which is overwatering, be sure to utilize a very porous soil mixture, a well-draining pot, and a thorough yet infrequent watering routine. Sufficient airflow around the stem and soil surface will provide further insurance against rot, pests, or other ills.

Hardy only to Zone 10, protect it from freezing temperatures, which could otherwise cause permanent scarring along the stem.

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!