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4.6 out of 5 (91 experiences)


Also known as
Ladyfinger Cactus, Brain Cactus, Globe Cactus and Gold Lace Cactus
Taxonomy
Mammillaria elongata
Mammillaria
Cactaceae
Caryophyllales

How to care for Lady Finger Cactus

How often to water your Lady Finger Cactus

every 12
Lady Finger 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

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Lady Finger Cactus in your home

a window
Lady Finger Cactus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Lady Finger Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Lady Finger Cactus in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Lady Finger Cactus

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 Lady Finger Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Lady Finger 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!
Water Needs
Lady Finger 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.
Sunlight Needs
Lady Finger 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 🏡.
Toxicity
Lady Finger 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
Lady Finger Cactus prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Soil
Lady Finger 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!
Fertilizer
Lady Finger 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!
Dormancy
It’s common for Lady Finger 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
Lady Finger Cactus is native to the Southwestern United States, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Flowers
Lady Finger Cactus produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.
Growth Pattern
Lady Finger Cactus grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Lady Finger Cactus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Lady Finger Cactus can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
Common Issues
Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Lady Finger 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!
Care Summary for Lady Finger Cactus
Lady Finger Cactus
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say







