Mariposa Cactus Plant Care
Sclerocactus mariposensis (Hester) N.P.Taylor
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sclerocactus mariposensis, synonyms including Echinomastus mariposensis and Neolloydia mariposensis, is a rare species of cactus known by the common names Lloyd's fishhook cactus, golfball cactus, silver column cactus, and Mariposa cactus. It is native to a section of territory straddling the border between Brewster County, Texas, in the United States, and the states of Coahuila and Nuevo León in northeastern Mexico.
Full sun
At a glance
How do you care for Mariposa Cactus?
Mariposa Cactus grows best in full sun.
Where Is the Mariposa Cactus Native To?
What Is the Mariposa Cactus?
Mariposa Cactus (Sclerocactus mariposensis) belongs to the Cactaceae family within the Sclerocactus genus. Mariposa Cactus is native to a section of territory straddling the border between Brewster County, Texas, in the United States, and the states of Coahuila and Nuevo León in northeastern Mexico. Mariposa Cactus is also known as Mariposa Barrel Cactus.
Mariposa Cactus displays a low clumping cactus growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Mariposa Cactus produces small, tubular pink to purple flowers.
What Light Does the Mariposa Cactus Need?
Mariposa Cactus thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mariposa Cactus?
Sandy, well-draining cactus mix with perlite and coarse sand. Good drainage is essential for Mariposa Cactus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Mariposa Cactus?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Mariposa Cactus?
Mariposa Cactus can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pincushion cactus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mariposa Cactus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mariposa Cactus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Mariposa Cactus?
Mariposa Cactus is susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Mariposa Cactus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Sclerocactus genus — compare its care with other Sclerocactus species on PlantoScan.
Sclerocactus is part of the Cactaceae plant family — browse all Cactaceae genera and species.
Mariposa Cactus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Sclerocactus Species
Other Sclerocactus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sclerocactus mariposensis (Hester) N.P.Taylor, family Cactaceae (first published in in Bradleya 5: 94. 1987.) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mariposa Cactus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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