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Feather Cactus

Also known as

Snowball Cactus and Feather Ball Cactus

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Mammillaria plumosa

Genus

Mammillaria

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Feather Cactus

💦 Water

How often to water your Feather Cactus

Feather Cactus needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Feather Cactus in your home

Feather Cactus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Feather Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Feather Cactus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Feather Cactus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Feather Cactus: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Feather Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Mammillaria

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Feather Cactus is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Feather Cactus →

Benefits of Growing Feather Cactus →

Common Feather Cactus Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Feather Cactus →

Outdoor Care Guide for Feather Cactus →

💦 Water Needs

Feather Cactus thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Feather Cactus Water Frequency →

Feather Cactus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Feather Cactus requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Feather Cactus Light Requirements →

Feather Cactus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Feather Cactus is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

💨 Humidity

Feather Cactus enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.

Feather Cactus Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Feather Cactus is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Feather Cactus →

Best Pots for Feather Cactus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Feather Cactus →

What Are Healthy Feather Cactus Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Feather Cactus grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Feather Cactus →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Feather Cactus to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Feather Cactus is native to the Southwestern United States, Central America, and the Caribbean.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Feather Cactus bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Feather Cactus Flowers →

Is Feather Cactus an Annual Plant? →

Is Feather Cactus a Perennial Plant? →

Feather Cactus Pollination Guide →

Common Feather Cactus Flower Problems →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Feather Cactus is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

Feather Cactus Lifecycle →

Feather Cactus Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Feather Cactus →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Feather Cactus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Feather Cactus Temperature Tolerance →

Feather Cactus Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Feather Cactus →

When to Plant Feather Cactus →

How to Plant Feather Cactus →

Where to Plant Feather Cactus →

Winter Care for Feather Cactus →

Best Companion Plants for Feather Cactus →

Is Feather Cactus a Weed? →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Common Bugs Affecting Feather Cactus →

What Eats Feather Cactus? →

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Feather Cactus. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!