Ladyfinger Cactus

Ladyfinger Cactus (Mammillaria elongata) (de Candolle): Tall, cylindrical cactus with a dense covering of short spines that can be white, yellow, or copper in color. This species from central Mexico can grow to about 6.0″ tall and freely offsets to form dense clusters. It produces sweet, mini flowers of white, pale yellow, or pink and earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

This cactus variety will not survive a hard frost, but if there is a risk of freezing temperatures it can be brought indoors to grow on a sunny window sill or under a grow light. Cactus need bright sunlight, great drainage, and infrequent water to prevent rot. Pick containers with drainage holes and use well-draining cactus and succulent soil with 70% to 80% mineral grit such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite. Water deeply and wait for the soil to completely dry out before watering again.