Cacti are an essential part of the desert ecosystem. They provide homes and shelter for a wide variety of animals, and their roots help to stabilize the soil. Cacti also play an important role in the water cycle by absorbing and storing water.
Mammillaria muehlenpfordtii
A slow-growing round plant, golden pincushion cactus has attractive golden-yellow spines. It typically grows about 6 inches tall and wide. Note: You may also see it called Mammillaria celsiana.
Mammillaria elongata
Ladyfinger cactus has finger-like stems covered in pretty, golden-yellow, star-shaped spines. When it blooms, it has little creamy-white flowers. It usually grows 4 to 6 inches tall.
Mammillaria geminispina
Twin-spine cactus is a rounded, mounding variety that has silvery-white spines and cute pink flowers. It can grow about 8 inches (18 cm) tall over time.
Mammillaria guelzowiana
Mammillaria guelzowiana is a fun globe-shaped cactus that's covered in spines and blooms with attractive, fragrant bright pink flowers.
Mammillaria longimamma
Pineapple cactus is a low-growing variety that has branching stems topped by star-shaped spines. It has creamy-yellow flowers.
Mammillaria parkinsonii
Owl-eye cactus is a charming mounding variety that has white spines, densely clustered at the top of the plant, and creamy-yellow flowers.
Mammilaria pringlei
Pincushion cactus is an excellent houseplant that has a mounding shape, golden-yellow spines, and pink flowers.
Mammillaria spinosissima
Red-headed Irishman cactus earned its name because the new spines at the top of the plant are a rich, coppery-red color. As they mature, the spines fade to silvery white. This globe-shaped cactus has pink flowers.
Parodia magnifica
A cactus must be cool if its botanical name contains magnifica! Balloon cactus doesn't disappoint; this globe-shaped plant has parallel rows of spines running down its sides, giving it fun architecture. It also has yellow flowers. It may grow as much as 12 inches tall (30 cm) in time.
Notocactus scopa
A globe-shaped species, Notocactus scopa has yellow-orange spines and ivory-yellow flowers. It can eventually reach 20 inches tall. Note: It's also sometimes called Parodia scopa.