Mammillaria hahniana - Old lady cactus

Mammillaria hahniana, nicknamed "Old Lady Cactus" by English speakers, is a globose then cylindrical cactus, prized for its abundant flowering. Native to central Mexico, it is characterised by a green skin covered in soft white hairs and its ability to produce numerous offsets. In spring and summer, even when quite young, it displays a crown of pinkish-purple to reddish flowers. It is compact in size and fits easily into an indoor cactus collection.

Belonging to the Cactaceae family, Mammillaria hahniana is native to central Mexico, particularly the regions of Guanajuato, Querétaro and San Luis Potosí. It reaches up to 25 cm in height and 50 cm in width. It has a spherical stem, slightly flattened at the top, measuring up to 12 cm in diameter. The areoles, located at the tip of weakly quadrangular pyramidal tubercles, are covered in white wool, a characteristic of the Mammillaria genus. This species is easily recognised by its soft, fine white hairs, which can densely cover its body and become thicker, more abundant and longer with age. The 20 to 30 radial spines are thin and flexible, white to yellowish, measuring between 3 and 8 mm long. The central spines, often absent, are short and inconspicuous when present. Flowering, typically observed between March and May, produces small diurnal tubular flowers, bright pinkish-purple to reddish, arranged in a crown around the apex. After flowering, elongated reddish fruits may appear, containing small black seeds. Over time, this cactus can form dense clumps through the production of lateral offsets.

In a succulent collection, Mammillaria hahniana pairs perfectly with other species of varied forms and colours. It can be combined with globose cacti such as Echinopsis subdenudata, or striking succulents like Echeveria agavoides and Haworthia fasciata. Placed on a cactus tray or in a minimalist terracotta pot, it adds an exotic and elegant touch to your interior while being easy to care for.