Small but beautiful Mammillaria luethyi are native to Mexico and Northern America. Particularly you could spot them growing at elevations of around 800 m above sea level in those countries.
Usually, they would grow in limestone slabs in certain semi deserts. This is a widely and successfully cultivated species.
Many people use propagation methods to cultivate the Mammillaria luethyi cactus. This is recognized as a plant species which is under extinction due to illegal collection.
How do I identify a Mammillaria luethyi?
Mammillaria luethyi cactus are small sized plants. However, they are the most spectacular species of the genus as well. They would look distinctive even when they are not blooming.
The reason for that is their spination. This unique feature could be spotted at the tubercle tips of the plant.
Further, the plant would look even better when they are in full blossom. The flowers would comprise either a solitary stem or with several stems.
Many people tend to look for this species due to their rarity and due to the unique formation of the spines.
Size
In terms of the sizes of the stem of the Mammillaria luethyi cactus, they would be about 1.5 cm in diameter when they are in their natural habitat.
On the other hand, if you grow them as indoor plants, they would be about 4 cm in size. They would tend to take a flattened sub globose look. In terms of the colors, they would either be dark green or almost black.
In addition to that, Mammillaria luethyi would come up with tubercles which are densely formed in an erected form. Moreover, Mammillaria luethyi cactus would form a slightly bristly axil as well.
In terms of the spine formation, they would be short, minuscule as many as 80. Those spines would be soft and white in color.
However, they are not prickly though. Chances are that they would form a densely packed flattened cluster of 1-2 mm in diameter.
Mammillaria luethyi cactus would comprise fleshy taproots which could mostly exceed the dimension of the tiny stems as well.
Growth
Mammillaria luethyi cactus tend to grow either in solitary form or in a clustering form. It is common for these plants to contract during the dry season.
Chances are that sometimes they could form whilst pulling down entirely under the soil level. Moreover, their flowers would form through the dirt from the cactus body which is located underground.
They could grow from 1 cm to 2 cm in one years’ time which literally means they could grow at a healthy and vigorous rate.
Having said that you cannot spot them getting larger as their dimensions would continue to be the same.
If you wish to boost the flowering of the plant, ensure that they get a cooling period during the winter season and cut back on watering.
One look care guide
| Botanical Name | Mammillaria luethyi |
| Common Name | Not specific |
| Plant Type | Cactus |
| Mature Size | 4 cm |
| Sun Exposure | Full sunlight |
| Soil Type | Well draining |
| Soil pH | 5-7 |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | magenta |
| Hardiness Zones | 10a-11b |
| Native Area | Mexico |
| Toxicity | Non toxic |
How do you take care of a Mammillaria luethyi?
Light Requirement
Mammillaria luethyi cactus would require full sunlight to grow well. If you are growing them as houseplants, best is to locate them by a bright sunny windowsill.
If you expose them for adequate sunlight, that will allow the plant to produce beautiful flowers.
Having said that, refrain from exposing the plants to intense sunlight at once. Instead of that you need to expose them gradually.
Temperature and humidity
Warm temperatures would suit the Mammillaria luethyi cactus best. If you expose them for colder temperatures for prolonged periods, that will badly affect the plant’s vigorous growth.
Having said that, they could thrive in little colder conditions up to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. (0 degrees Celsius) for some time.
Is it cold hardy?
Mammillaria luethyi cactus are little cold hardy up to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. (0 degrees Celsius)
USDA hardiness zone
Mammillaria luethyi cactus would prefer to grow in USDA hardiness zones 10a-11b.
Watering Requirement
You could water the Mammillaria luethyi cactus just like you do with the rest of other succulents and cacti.
Literally you could water them only when their soil is dry. Avoid over watering these cacti since that would be the biggest mistake you could make when growing these beautiful cacti.
If you provide too much water, that will make them more prone for root rots. That could make fatal repercussions on the plant and chances are that you will end up losing the plant as well.
Soil Requirement Type / pH
Mammillaria luethyi cactus would thrive in acid – neutral potting mixes. The ideal pH should be 5-7.
You could make a potting mix by mixing one part of potting mix + one part of washed sand and one part of coarse fill such as rocks, pumas or even broken pots.
Proving them a well-draining soil mix is very important when growing the Mammillaria luethyi cactus.
When you plant the Mammillaria luethyi cactus, you simply have to set it on top of the soil mix without digging a deep hole in the potting medium. That will make it easy for the roots to absorb moisture well.
Flowering and Fragrance
Mammillaria luethyi cactus would generate flowers which are large as 15-25 cm in width and in length. They would be rich magenta in color.
You could spot them emerging from the axils on the tubercles of the last year’s growth of the plant. They do not carry any specific fragrance.
In addition to that, you could spot them producing fruits as well. They would be 4-5 mm in diameter.
They would be yellow green to reddish green in color. Not only that but also, they will carry black seeds as well.
Pot size Potting and Repotting
You should grow them in porous pots as they would not retain any excess moisture in the pot. When repotting them, you could consider doing it only if it is essential.
However, the best season to do that would be the warm season. Before taking the plant out , you need to make sure that soil is dry, after that you could remove it from the pot.
As the next step, you could get rid of the old soil and see whether there are any rotten or damaged roots visible. If there are any, you could get rid of them as well.
Finally, you could place the plant in the pot filled with well-draining soil and make sure it is well established in the new pot. After about one weeks’ time, you could consider watering them.
Where to Plant
You should grow them in a place where they can gain full sunlight. In addition to that make sure you grow them in a well-draining soil mix as well.
Fertilizer and time of year
You could consider feeding the Mammillaria luethyi cactus with an appropriate fertilizer in their actively growing season so that they could grow even better.
Dormancy
Mammillaria luethyi cactus are winter dormant plants.
Can it be toxic to pets?
Mammillaria luethyi cactus are a non-toxic set of plants.
Common bugs and illness issues
You need to keep an eye for pests such as mealy bugs, scales and spider mites. Apart from that, you should be watchful to not to supply them with excess water since that could lead to root rots in the plant.
Special Care tips
When taking care of them, you need to grow them in a well-draining soil mix and water them properly. Keep the plant dried out entirely during the winter season.
In addition to that, you need to provide full sunlight for them to grow vigorously. It would further be useful for the spine’s development as well.
How do you propagate a Mammillaria luethyi?
You could conduct propagation of these plants either by using seeds or by using the offsets.
Apart from that you could consider propagating them by using cuttings. You should do that in spring as chances are that the older specimens could branch out at the base of the plant during this season.
In addition to that, many people tend to graft this species so that it could be useful in enhancing the growth speed of the plant.
If you are using a grafted plant, you will see how fast they grow and how profusely they branch out. If you are using the seeds method, you could sow the seeds in spring.
Read more about Mammillaria propagation: Pincushion Cactus Propagation Guide | 10 Minutes Quick Read |
Mammillaria luethyi plant benefits
They could be useful for a Cactus garden. Moreover, you could use them as perfect houseplants and you could grow them in cute looking pots or in containers.
Related questions
Is Mammillaria luethyi an indoor plant?
You could grow these plants as indoor plants.
Do Mammillaria luethyi need direct sunlight?
They would thrive in full sunlight and it does not need to be direct sunlight.
Should I mist my Mammillaria luethyi?
You could consider giving a light misting for them.
Read More : Mammillaria Mathildae | Super Easy Guide | With14 Care Tips |
