Mammillaria luethyi is now quite a popular species in collections, often grown on a graft, although the plant does well enough on it sown roots, given a little moisture over winter to prevent excess shrivelling.

It has fascinating areoles with spines clusters unlike anything else in the Mammillaria world, although a strong glass is needed to really see their unique shape. But it's crowning glory is it's flowers, which in good sun and warmth open wide, flowering almost simultaneously from each bud, and just amaze you that they can come from such a small plant.

This plant had been found some years ago, and it wasn't until the 1990's when it was re-found in the Sierra Paila in the state of Coahuila, and described fully by George Hinton in 1996. It will offset in time, although those on a graft do so more quickly.