The bottom half of the cactus has spines that are white or gray and appear to be dying.

Also there is a white wool that can be seen growing on the top part of the plant body.

It does not require any special treatment other than plentiful light to encourage spine formation.

Under the synonym Mammillaria pringlei (lemon ball), M. rhodantha subsp.

pringlei[1] is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.