The variegated shape of this cactaceae has yellowish shades in places where there is a lack of chlorophyll; these shades will never be identical in plants making each of them unique and for this reason much sought after by collectors around the world. In its normal form it is an initially solitary cactus that can become inflamed with time. It has a cylindrical stem with many rounded tubercles. This species is one of the most spiny of the genus Mammillaria, with white areolas, numerous spines grow: white and flat, which hide almost completely the green of the stem itself; and several longer and more robust spines with black tip. The flowering takes place only after the plant has reached 7-8 years and produces flowers with a bell-shaped and carmine red color.