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Birthday Cake Cactus

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Mammillaria haageana var. elegans

Genus

Mammillaria

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Birthday Cake Cactus

💦 Water

How often to water your Birthday Cake Cactus

Birthday Cake 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 Birthday Cake Cactus in your home

Birthday Cake Cactus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Birthday Cake Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Birthday Cake Cactus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Birthday Cake 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 Birthday Cake Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

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💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Birthday Cake 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.

Birthday Cake Cactus Water Frequency →

Birthday Cake Cactus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Birthday Cake 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 🏡.

Birthday Cake Cactus Light Requirements →

Birthday Cake Cactus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

Birthday Cake Cactus Toxicity to Cats →

Birthday Cake Cactus Toxicity to Dogs →

Birthday Cake Cactus Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Birthday Cake 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.

Birthday Cake Cactus Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Birthday Cake 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 Birthday Cake Cactus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Birthday Cake Cactus →

💩 Fertilizer

Birthday Cake 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 Birthday Cake Cactus →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Birthday Cake 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

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

🧐 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.