Flower: Predominantly white and smallish (about 12 mm in diameter) with red or pink midstripes to the petals.
Cultivation and propagation: This species has few special demands. Whatever view one adopts, it is worth a place in every mammillaria collection. Reputedly a hard species to grow for any length of time, a very careful hand with watering will reward the grower with a mound of many small heads forming an irregular pile. The only problem is that it is slow growing, a plant for patient growers.
Watering: It requires careful watering (rot sensitive), and patience to match its slow growth. Care with overhead watering is needed, as the spines will trap water. Extra gritty soil will provide the rapid drainage that is needed.
Exposure: Especially high levels of light will encourage formation of dense spination. Good light conditions will ensure tight growth, when the spination is seen at its best, completely hiding the plant body.
Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz
