Quaqua mammilaris will grow well in a semi shaded to full sun position.

Unlike most other stapeliads, the aroena is very difficult to grow from cuttings and should be propagated by seeds. Sow the seeds soon after ripe, the more time passes before sowing, the lower the germination success will be. Sow the seeds in a sandy loam medium or a mixture of cleaned river sand and compost (ration 2:1) in autumn or spring. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of sand and fine grit. Soak the pot in water mixed with fungicide overnight. Remove the pot out of the water and keep it in a shady, but warm position. Water every 2 to 3 days. The seeds will germinate within 2 weeks.

Transplant the seedlings once they are about 2 cm high. If the plants are transplanted to a pot, the Kirstenbosch Garden places a moth ball in the soil  to help to kill soil-born pests. It is important for the soil to dry out before watering. Water plants about once every 2 weeks. They respond well to fertilizers that can be given once a month during the growth season, which is mainly in spring (September to November in the southern hemisphere).

Good companion plants are vygies such as Worcester vygie, Drosanthemum speciosum or Lampranthus haworthii or pelargoniums such as the blomkoolmalva, Pelargonium alternans. In veld-food gardens, other indigenous plants can include the wild rosemary, Eriocephalus ericoides or ghaap, Hoodia gordonii.  In our garden they are often found beneath the gombossie, Pteronia paniculata.

 Quaqua mammilaris is susceptible to a variety of diseases. The most serious pest is the woolly aphid (Erisoma lanigerum), that will suck juices of the roots, and can cause secondary infections. It is best to regularly scratch with your finger next to the stem; if woolly aphid is present you will notice the cotton wool threats. Use a systemic insecticide to treat it.

Another disease is the black rot, a fungal disease which creates black spots on the stem. The best method is to use a clean knife to cut away the affected area and then dust the area with flower of sulphur. The affected material must be burned immediately. By adding fungicide to the water after sowing or by spraying fungicide on the seedlings afterwards, will prevent damping-off. Abnormal growth can also be caused by a mite and can be treated by drenching the whole plant in a systemic insecticide.