Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus) Mammillaria elongata
Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus) (Mammillaria elongata) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Cactaceae family, native to Hidalgo, Querétaro and Guanajuato, central Mexico. It grows 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 10–15 cm (4–6 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–156 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Hidalgo, Querétaro and Guanajuato, central Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇷 South Korea |
Is Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; spines are fine but sharp.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus)
- How far apart should I plant Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus)?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
- Does Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus) flower?
- About 104–156 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; spines are fine but sharp.
- What grows well with Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ladyfinger cactus (gold lace cactus). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of dry, sunny places: grow it in gritty, free-draining soil and water deeply but rarely; cold and wet together kill it faster than frost or drought.
- In frosty climates it is a classic pot plant for a bright windowsill, put outside in summer.
- Clusters of finger-thick stems wrapped in neat, lace-like golden spines, with small cream flowers in spring. One of the easiest cacti; stems break off and root readily.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Prickly pear (nopal) Opuntia ficus-indica
- Golden barrel cactus Echinocactus grusonii
- Saguaro Carnegiea gigantea
- Fishhook barrel cactus Ferocactus wislizeni
- Teddy-bear cholla Cylindropuntia bigelovii
- Engelmann's prickly pear Opuntia engelmannii
- Organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi
- Mexican giant cardón Pachycereus pringlei