Home»Cactus - Succulents»Assorted variety
Mammillaria Cristata[Mam - mil - AR - electrical engineering - uh , Kris - TAY - tuh ] is a lush plant with a distinctive conformation .
It forms smashed clumps of ascending and erect columnar stems , which resemble a brain or worms .

This Mammillaria , akapincushion cactusspecies , belongs to the family of Cactaceae and is a native to Central Mexico .
The scientific name of this plant is Mammillaria Elongata f. Cristata or Mammillaria Elongata Cristata and its common names admit :
Brain Cactus Plant Care
Size & Growth
TheBrain Cactus is a small plant with tubercles , which grows about 6 ” inches grandiloquent and diffuse around 12 ” inches wide .
They ’re sometimes used for bonsai due to their small size .
The unique crest bod of this cacti houseplant is because of the damage caused to the young plant .
The cells of the injured area get down manifold rapidly , which get the pads of the plant life to twist .
This ‘ legal injury ’ is manipulated manually to form this outgrowth .
Flowering and Fragrance
Mammillaria Cristataproduces Vanessa Stephen - shaped , little , pink flush .
The bloom fourth dimension of these succulents is during the spring , but more flowers may seem afterward as well .
Sometimes , the colors of the flowers are also pale yellow , clean , or pink with stripes .
Light & Temperature
To maintain the health of the Brain Cactus , place the plant in full sun exposure .
It loves the bright sunlight but also grow well in light subtlety .
However , you must be measured during the harsh summertime .
Avoid leaving it in the sun for more than five hours .
Otherwise , your cactus will get damage .
If you are growing it as an indoor houseplant , then be sure to place it in a burnished spot , so it gets sufficient sun .
The USDA hardiness zone of this plant is 10 to 11 .
Watering and Feeding
slenderly irrigate the plant life throughout the summer .
However , Cristata will need more frequent watering if the weather condition is too red-hot .
It requires little water during the wintertime season as this assist in preclude root loss .
Be cautious with the amount of weewee since overwatering may lead to rot .
If the stain mixture is sassy , you do n’t have to feed this works much .
tip every summer if you have n’t repot the plant recently .
obviate feast it after September as it will ensue in lush emergence , which may become fateful for the plant in the stale months .
Soil & Transplanting
The ideal potting mixture for the Brain Cactus is the well - drain one .
You may employ acactus soil mixor a mixture of sand , potting mix , pumice stone , or perlite .
bestow some organic matter to ensure the plant gets sufficient minerals .
Transplanting should be done after two to three years .
Be certain to use a shallow pot fill up with the holey concoction .
apply the correct pot size , which snugly match the plant and offers good drainage .
Grooming and Maintenance
These succulent plant should be cover cautiously as their cardinal spines might injure you .
Be sure to fatigue thick gloves when repot the works .
It is also sensitive to high moisture , so make trusted to place it in a ironical place with minimal humidness .
A gamey amount of humidness may damage the plant , just like overwatering .
When come out the works on a windowsill , check it is partially gay to foreclose tan .
How to Propagate Mammillaria Cristata Plant
The propagation of this plant life is done using stem cuttings or grafting .
This plant is typically graft onto cacti ( pillar - shape cactus ) but will organize its own roots if de - graft .
Place big cap pieces on the surface of the soil without altogether burying the plant in the soil .
on a regular basis water the raw plant life until it is well established .
Mammillaria Cristata Plant Pest or Diseases
This Mammillaria is sensible to ruby-red spiders . Useorganic insect powder Neem oilto control the hint .
It may see ascendant rot , but it is not a severe issue if you observe the plant with a controlled watering schedule .
Learn Succulent Pests here .
Brain Cactus Plant Uses
The Brain Cactus construct a with child plus as a houseplant .
It goes well with other succulent flora and other cactus motley .
It looks stunning when constitute in masses and when growing in different landscape .