It grows in a narrow canyon usually near water where there is high humidity,[2] its total population is fewer than 250 individuals.

It is threatened by illegal collection for the horticultural trade.

Recent studies link this species to Mammillaria crinita.

When young this species has wooly areoles though when mature it has 13–15 radiant spine and 4 central spines one being hooked.

The flowers are 2 cm across and usually occur in a ring along the top of the plant, var.