Splayed out feathered white spines completely cover this tiny spherical cactus, protecting them from the intense sunlight and critters in its native habitat of northeastern Mexico. If they are happy, they will produce many-petalled greenish white flowers with yellow stamens. With age, plantlets will develop and they will grow into clumps. As desert plants, they require full sun and must be protected from freezing in winter. As houseplants, they should be watered lightly but not too often.