Texas Nipple Cactus (Mammillaria prolifera): A Tiny, Clumping Cactus with Yellow Flowers

Texas Nipple Cactus is a miniature, rapidly clustering cactus that forms dense mounds of small, cylindrical stems covered in soft, white radial spines and a few longer, yellowish central spines. It produces small, yellow flowers in spring, followed by red, club-shaped fruits. Native to Texas and Mexico, it’s a charming, easy-to-grow mammillaria for rock gardens, troughs, and windowsills.

Taxonomic Profile

Care

Bright light. Very porous soil. Water sparingly; dry in winter. Hardy to 15°F (-9°C). Offsets freely—divide to propagate. Excellent for miniature gardens and fairy gardens.