Fam. Cactaceae Juss is one of the largest groups of higher plants, which includes over 3000 species, and, in the greenhouses of the BG (I) of the ASM, it is the most represented one – 825 taxa, which constitute 30.26% of the gene pool of greenhouse plants. The genus Astrophytum Lem., within the collection of BG (I), is represented by 20 taxa: 5 species and 15 varieties. In the wild, this genus is represented by 6 species and 18 varieties. The plants of the genus Astrophytum can be easily hybridized during flowering, forming hundreds of hybrids. The plants of the genus Astrophytum are native to arid regions of Mexico.  The collection of plants of the genus Astrophytum (fam. Cactaceae) created within the BG in the course of about 40 years, served as material for the research. The phenological observations on flowering and formation of fruits with seeds was carried out according to «Методика фенологических наблюдений в ботанических садах СССР” (Methods of phenological observations in the botanical gardens of the USSR). The evaluation of the collection was carried out according to N. Backeberg, 1979.  The creation of the collection of plants from Cactaceae family, within BG (I) of the ASM, dates back to the early 70s of the 20th century.  A lot of species and varieties of plants of the genus Astrophytum were brought as plantlets and seeds from different BG of Russia and Ukraine in the early 70s of the 20th century.  The species of the Astrophytum genus are columnar (A. myriostigma Lem., A.m. var. columnare ) and globular plants (A.asterias Lem., A.ornatum v.mirbellii (Lem.) OK., A.capricorne Br.& R., A.myriostigma v. nudum Backbg., A.senile Fric). At the beginning of plant growth and development, in all species and varieties, plants are globular, but, with age, many of them elongate and become columnar. 14 of the 20 taxa from the collection reach the generative phase under the conditions of BG greenhouses, 11 taxa develop fruits with viable seeds. From 3-4 to 6-7 fruits can be formed on a plant. The number of seeds in a fruit varies from 15 at A.myriostigma v.tulense Kays&Backbg. to 86  at A. ornatum hybr. and 97  at A.m. columnare.  The seeds of Astrophytum species are found in dry dehiscent capsule fruits, with one locule. Seeds are helmet-shaped, big, black and glossy. Seeds are put in sterilized sand in plastic trays and are placed in a medicine cabinet at the temperature of + 25-28 o C. The duration of germination of freshly gathered seeds of Astrophytum species is 4-6 days, the germination period of those stored over three years doubles or triples. The young seedlings obtained from one month old seeds are pricked out in substrate consisting of leaves: sand: neutral red peat: perlite in ratio of 2:2:1:1. Medium fraction ceramic is used for drainage. Plants are pricked out in ceramic pots of 0.5 l. As the seedlings grow, every 2 months, they are pricked out in new substrate till the age of 1 year. Mature plants are transplanted carefully, the clod isn’t crumbled completely. After transplanting, the plants are watered a little in the first 2 months. Abundant watering begins after 2 months.   All species and varieties of plants of the genus Astrophytum, in our collections, reproduce only by seeds, because Astrophytum plants do not form young plantlets around the mother plant. The plants obtained from seeds reach the generative phase at the age of 6-7 years.  The optimal time for propagation by seeds is March-April. The optimal substrate for Astrophytum plants is the mixture consisting of: leaves: peat: sand in a ratio of 1:1:2. Young plants are placed in bright places without direct sunlight, in the warm seasons they are abundantly watered. In winter, the amount of water is reduced.  Plants of the genus Astrophytum, being very decorative and having a high adaptive potential can be widely used indoor for ornamental purposes, as solitary plants or in different compositions.