Water
Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dry, typically in spring and summer. Reduce watering significantly in fall and winter to prevent root rot.
Ensure good drainage to avoid waterlogged conditions, which this cactus dislikes.
Also known as Powder-Puff Cactus · Powder-Puff Pincushion · Powderpuff Cactus
Mammillaria bocasana is a small, globular cactus native to Mexico, known for its dense covering of white, woolly spines.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
High
75% intensity
Prefers bright, direct sunlight for several hours daily. Can tolerate some partial shade.
Moderate
50% intensity
Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings. Reduce in winter.
Well-draining cactus mix
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Prefers warm temperatures during the growing season. Tolerates cooler, dry conditions in winter for dormancy.
Low
25% intensity
Feed sparingly during the growing season with a diluted cactus fertilizer.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dry, typically in spring and summer. Reduce watering significantly in fall and winter to prevent root rot.
Ensure good drainage to avoid waterlogged conditions, which this cactus dislikes.
Pruning is generally not required for *Mammillaria bocasana*. If offsets become too crowded or reach an undesirable size, they can be carefully removed for propagation using a clean knife.
Remove any dead or dried tissue.
Propagate by offsets (pups) that naturally form around the base of the plant. Gently detach them with a clean blade and allow the cut surface to callus over for a few days before planting in well-draining cactus soil.
Repot every 2-3 years, or when the plant outgrows its container. The best time is in spring before new growth begins. Use a gritty, well-draining cactus mix. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the previous one.
Identify plants like this with ePlant AI
Snap a photo to get care tips and match similar species on the go.
Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Mammillaria Bocasana (Mammillaria bocasana)
Where Mammillaria Bocasana (Mammillaria bocasana) is found

Density
Tap map to explore
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Genus | Mammillaria |
| Species | Mammillaria bocasana |
Similar in genus Mammillaria
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data