Cactus Mammillaria Lenta

Today I’m presenting you with the Mammillaria Lenta. Coming from Mexico, we also know it with the common name of white head. This cactus can be easily distinguished by its slightly sunken tip and filled with very small spikes wound together. The spikes are white (hence their common name), grow in spiral form, and between the spikes and the body of the cactus we can see white wooliness.

The flowers are relatively small compared to the plant, about two and a half centimeters in size; they are usually white or pinkish in color, very glazed in sight and are accompanied by intense red fruits that are very decorative in truth.

Because these cacti do not usually grow very much (between fifteen and twenty centimeters high) they are very suitable for planting them in pots, gardeners or even, in some cases, for creating rocks. Although they grow more easily in full sun, during the summer if the radiation is very high, I recommend that you cover it with some sort of umbrella, to avoid possible burns.

When irrigating, do not be afraid: in summer, once a week, in spring once every fortnight, in autumn once a month and when the cold starts, stop providing water until the following spring. While it’s true that you don’t have to be afraid, it’s better to see if the substrate is dry before you give your cactus water again.

Finally, unlike other species, Mammillaria Lenta does not have many pest problems, so what you have to consider is excess moisture, because it can rot tissues and roots and that can lead to death.