Mammillaria zeilmanniana, commonly known as Rose Pincushion Cactus, is an evergreen succulent native to the semi-desert regions of Northeastern Mexico. It is a small, globular cactus reaching up to 12 cm in height and 8 cm in width. The plant is characterized by its woolly areoles in its youth, which later become adorned with 13–15 radial spines and 4 central spines, one of which is notably hooked. The flowers are vibrant magenta, about 2 cm across, and form a striking crown-like ring at the top of the plant during the flowering season, which occurs in spring.

The Rose Pincushion Cactus is valued for its low maintenance and ornamental flowers, making it a popular choice for rock gardens, container plantings, and as a houseplant. It thrives in part shade to full sun and requires minimal watering, making it well-suited to xeriscaping. It is important to provide it with well-draining soil to prevent root rot. While generally disease-free, it can be susceptible to mealybugs and fungal diseases if overwatered. This cactus is not known for being invasive but should be handled with care due to its spines.CC BY-SA 4.0