Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 11:45 am
Mammillaria bocasana, also known as the pink powder puff cactus, is a member of the cactus family (Cactaceae). It is also known as Tree-like Mammillaria, Pink Claret Cup, and Mexican Hat Cactus.
The cactus has white wool that covers its body and large pink flowers with red lips. Its fleshy body can grow to be up to 10 inches tall and up to 6 inches wide. Its thick trunk can grow to be 1 inch thick in diameter and up to 36 inches tall.
This interesting cactus is an attractive addition to any collection and grows quite easily in pots or outdoor beds.
The pink powder puff cactus is one of the most beautiful species in the cactus family. Native to Mexico, it can survive extreme temperatures and drought and has many uses, including in agriculture and cosmetics products like soaps and lotions. Here’s more information about this remarkable plant and how you can use it to add color to your home or garden.
Origin and distribution
Mammillaria bocasana is native to Central America. It occurs in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. It has been introduced to Florida and Texas.
This species has also become naturalized in Hawaii and Bermuda. Mammillaria roemeriana is very similar and occurs in Arizona, California, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Michoacan and Sinaloa. The name ‘bocasana’ comes from its habitat of growing in Boca San Carlos, Durango, Mexico.
The common names pink powder puff cactus or fairy duster refer to its unique white hairs that form cloud around it as it grows.
Mammillaria bocasana propagation
Mammillaria bocasana is propagated by seed and cutting. The seeds are easily collected when they’re ripe, as they have a tendency to fall off when ripe.
Cuttings can be taken at any time but should be left to dry for a couple of weeks prior to planting them. They must then be watered and kept in bright light until they root. This process may take several months. However, it is possible to speed up rooting with bottom heat if desired. The plants should not be over-watered, as rot will set in quickly.
Since Mammillaria bocasana grows slowly and only gets about 12 inches tall, it is usually recommended that you don’t try to grow one from seed unless you want more than one plant.
It will take many years before your plant has enough pads to make taking cuttings worthwhile; even then, each cutting will only yield one or two pads each season.
Mammillaria bocasana care information
Mammillaria bocasana are generally a low-maintenance genus of cacti, as they are not frost-sensitive and adapt well to most growing conditions. Like most cacti, they require excellent drainage in soil with high organic content.
Overly wet or soggy soil is harmful to their health. Therefore, when grown indoors in pots, choose a planting container with drainage holes and use an organic potting mix that retains moisture without getting soggy or waterlogged.
Light requirement
They prefer full sun to partial shade. When grown indoors, give them bright light and keep them on a windowsill with indirect sunlight. The brighter your plant receives, the redder it will appear.
A south-facing window is best if you can provide it.
Soil/potting mix
Preparing soil for mammillaria bocasana is incredibly important and requires a few important steps. First, you’ll need to ensure your soil drains very well, cacti will not do well in moist environments. The best way to check if your soil drains well is to fill a small bowl with it; add water until it reaches just above the rim of your bowl.
If after 15 minutes there are still puddles on top, you may want to consider using a different mix or adding more perlite or vermiculite. If there are no puddles on top but instead some moisture has settled at the bottom of your bowl, that’s okay!
You can also use perlite or vermiculite as an additive to increase drainage further. Next, make sure your pot has drainage holes!
Watering
When it comes to watering mammillaria bocasana, wait until your cactus is almost completely dry before you water it again. This will keep your plant from getting overwatered and lead to a longer life span. Under-watering is better than over-watering in most cases because a plant can survive longer without water than with too much.
However, if your cactus starts to shrivel up or look unhealthy, then you should consider watering more often. Remember that soil dries out faster in warm weather so be sure to check on your plants more often during hot months.
If you want your cactus to bloom, then don’t let it get too dry between waterings as flowering occurs only after several weeks of drought conditions.
Fertilizer
As with many cacti, Mammillaria bocasana is sensitive to fertilizer. Do not fertilize them; if you do, you’ll kill your plants. Instead, feed them regularly and lightly with a solution of 50 percent water and 50 percent hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent source of oxygen for your plant, as well as a disinfectant that will keep mold from forming on its skin. It also breaks down organic matter in soil without adding any nutrients.
If you can find it, use rainwater instead of tap water when watering your cactus—it has more nutrients than tap water does. If you don’t have access to rainwater, consider using distilled or deionized water instead.
Temperature
Mammillaria bocasana loves full sun, so place it in a location that receives full sunlight all day long. Avoid locations near a window where its roots will be exposed to cold drafts. Keep your cactus warm and protected during the winter months by placing it in an area where temperatures do not fall below 50 degrees F.
Choose an area that is sheltered from windy conditions and away from central heating or cooling vents.
Humidity
Mammillaria bocasana should be kept in a well-drained soil medium, but do not overwater. This species is from northern Mexico and prefers high humidity in its habitat, so a small water dish may be beneficial for cultivation.
Likewise, you can mist your plants once or twice per week to provide them with additional moisture if they are growing outside. Otherwise, you can house them inside under humid conditions such as those found in a terrarium.
The ideal humidity range is 40-60% for Mammillaria bocasana. This can be achieved by misting your plants once or twice per week, placing them in a terrarium, or growing them indoors under humid conditions.
Pruning
Part of caring for a Mammillaria bocasana is pruning, you have to cut off parts of it. This will allow it to grow more and develop into a fuller plant. Pruning is all about shape, so don’t trim too far back; if you go too far, you can accidentally damage or kill your cactus.
Some cacti will grow new spines in response to being pruned—so be careful! Also, make sure that you clean up any loose pieces after pruning. If they fall on carpeting or wood floors, they could become stuck there and rot away until they create an odor problem.
When to repot
Pink powder puff cacti like to be repotted at least once every year. In spring, take your cactus out of its container and place it in a sunny window. Water it until water runs freely from all sides of your pot. Let sit for at least four hours so that excess water drains through the drainage holes or ditches in your pot.
Trim away any brown or dead roots, then plant back into a clean, dry container filled with new soil. Place in a warm spot where temperatures stay between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. As long as you follow these guidelines, your pink powder puff should live for many years!
Dormancy/Winter rest
Mammillaria bocasana needs a period of dormancy to grow, much like many other garden plants. It may surprise you that even though cacti don’t look as if they are actively growing, they still continue to feed and grow throughout their inactive time.
They only need some time to regroup and gain strength for next year’s active growing season. This dormant phase can last anywhere from several weeks to several months depending on your climate.
To keep your cactus healthy during its winter rest, be sure it is in an area with plenty of light but not direct sunlight. Temperatures should be around 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 70 degrees during the day. Water very sparingly during these months; once every two weeks is enough water when your plant is dormant.
Mammillaria bocasana flower & fragrance
The pink powder puff cactus produces small white flowers that bloom around May and June. These flowers are not only beautiful, but they also give off a pleasant fragrance, meaning they make an excellent indoor plant! The flowers are followed by round red fruits that turn green as they ripen. These fruits eventually burst open to reveal bright yellow seeds.
Growth rate
Mammillaria bocasana has slower growth rates than other cacti; however, during winter they grow at a faster rate. It is recommended to increase watering in order to promote adequate growth and flowering.
A safe way to increase watering is by adding a layer of organic compost or mulch around your plants. The mulch will attract worms which will help further nourish your soil for an even greater harvest.
Toxicity
Mammillaria bocasana is non-toxic to both humans and pets. However, care should still be taken when dealing with the plant to prevent allergy or skin reactions.
USDA hardiness zones
Mammillaria bocasana thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10. These cacti are very sensitive to cold, so you should avoid growing them in any other climate.
They can survive temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit, but they’ll be damaged if exposed to below-freezing weather for an extended period of time. If you live outside of these zones, your best bet is to grow your plant indoors or as a container plant on your patio or deck.
Pests, diseases, and problems
Powder puffs are notoriously susceptible to spider mites, so make sure to keep yours away from other plants and under bright light. Overwatering is also a problem, as they tend to rot easily in soggy soil.
However, one of their biggest enemies is turning into a showpiece: too much direct sunlight can damage or kill your plant if it’s not used to it, it won’t bloom if you place it in front of a west-facing window on your third floor for instance.
Conclusion
Mammillaria bocasana is an amazing, eye-catching cactus. It has striking pink flowers and beautiful star-shaped red fruits. The plants grow slowly but with proper care they will eventually spread out to form large clusters. If given proper care these plants can live up to 15 years and even longer in some cases!
Make sure to give them a lot of sunlight, especially during their summer growing season which lasts from April through October, as well as plenty of water and fertilizer during that time.
