Rhipsalis is a succulent plant popular in hanging baskets and terrariums. The plant has various types, including Rhipsalis baccifera, Cereusoides, and Rhipsalis Rufa. Each variety has different needs, but it doesn’t need much care. In this article, we’ll go over how to grow your own Rhipsalis at home.
About Rhipsalis
Rhipsalis came from the Greek word “rhips,” meaning ‘creeping’ or ‘twinning.’ Rhipsalis is a genus of about 50 species of cacti. It’s locally grown in tropical and subtropical South America. They are epiphytes growing on the trunks and branches of trees. Most species occur in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus in 1829.
Rhipsalis Plant Care (Growing Instructions)
Light Requirements
Rhipsalis is a succulent that needs bright light to grow well. It does not like direct sunlight. Placing your plant in an east- or west-facing window is best if you’re growing it indoors.
Use fluorescent lights if you need a window with the right amount of light. You can also adjust their height until they reach the proper distance from your plant. Rhipsalis can tolerate low light conditions. That means it will cause its leaves to turn gray and become unattractive.
Watering
A key part of watering is paying attention to the soil. The plant’s roots live in this soil, and you don’t want to over-water or under-water them. If the soil feels dry on top, it’s time to water; otherwise, your plant will suffer from root rot.
Ensure your plant doesn’t sit in the pot where water is pooling at the bottom of your pot. Making it sit too long can cause fungus or mold issues!
Soil
Rhipsalis needs well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5, which is slightly acidic. The plant is best in bright light and temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. For places where temperatures regularly fall below freezing, grow the Rhipsalis in containers. Then you can bring them indoors during winter.
Drainage should be good but not too dry; they don’t like soggy soils with poor drainage or standing water. They also don’t like soils that are too heavy or compacted. Add perlite or coarse sand at the bottom of your container needs to drain better for your plant. This way, the excess water can drain out easily.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing the Rhipsalis plant is easy, but there are some things to keep in mind. You should fertilize lightly and only when necessary. The leaves of your plant will tell you if it needs water or nutrients. If they turn yellow, it’s time to give your plant a little boost. Check with a local nursery or garden supply store for advice on how much fertilizer to use to care for your Rhipsalis plant.
Temperature & Humidity
Rhipsalis is a desert plant that thrives in temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees. The best place for your Rhipsalis would be sunny but not too bright. There should be medium humidity, where it can live out its life cycle peacefully! You should keep it away from drafts, direct afternoon sun, or any other heat source that could cause it to wilt.
How to Propagate
Propagation means creating new plants from a parent plant. It is the only way to increase your Rhipsalis collection, so you should do it right.
You can propagate your Rhipsalis cacti by rooting and growing new cuttings. Rooting involves soaking the cutting in water for several hours and then placing it in soil or sand. When rooting, remember that each species has its preferred root-inducing medium.
Repotting
When you should report a Rhipsalis is when it’s grown out of its container. You will know if it’s already time to repot it if the soil is too dry and the plant starts to look unhealthy. The best season for repotting would be spring or summer. During these seasons, it’s hot, and there is plenty of sunlight.
If you’re unsure if it’s time to repot your Rhipsalis, look at the following signs:
1. The plant is growing out of its container or has started to grow sideways instead of vertically.
2. The soil is dry.
3. If you squeeze some between your fingers and there seems to be no moisture left, it’s time to repot.
Pests & Diseases
To care for your Rhipsalis, make sure you’re watering it properly. Overwatering can cause root rot. On the other hand, underwatering can cause the plant to dry up and die. Check its leaves for signs of wilting if you need help determining how much water to give your plant. If they are wilting, water them more often.
To help prevent pests and diseases from afflicting your plants:
- Keep the plants in a sunny location to get natural light—but not the direct sun! If placed in direct sunlight, plants tend to burn and wilt easily due to their delicate nature.
- Properly dispose of any dead leaves or branches by removing them from the soil before disposing of them outside (don’t compost!). It helps prevent pests from entering your home through these openings!
It’s also important not to use chemical-based pesticides on this cactus. It could kill off all other green stems left behind and any potential new growths coming up later down the line.
Selecting Pots
When selecting a pot for your Rhipsalis, you must choose a large enough pot for the plant to grow for at least one year. You also want the container to be easy to clean and durable to last through the growth cycle.
Finally, since Rhipsalis does not like its roots too wet or too dry, we suggest you look for pots with drainage holes that allow excess water to drain out of them. It will prevent root rot and keep your plant healthy longer!
Toxicity
Rhipsalis is not toxic, so don’t worry about your pets or young children getting sick from it. It’s also not poisonous to cats.
Keep your pets and kids away from Rhipsalis. Some people are allergic to its sap. If they touch it and get some of the sap on them, wash them off immediately with cold water and soap.
Rhipsalis Varieties
There are wide varieties of Rhipsalis plants, but they all belong to the genus Rhipsalis. These plants originated from Central and South America, so they are not cold-hardy. For this reason, it’s best to grow them indoors in a warm climate.
These varieties of Rhipsalis can be found for sale at nurseries:
- Rhipsalis Lehmannii
It is an attractive species with white flowers blooming in the fall. This plant can be up to 8 feet tall if given plenty of room and good drainage!
- Rhipsalis Baccifera ‘White Cloud’
This variety has white blooms in late spring or early summer. Rhipsalis can grow up to 6 feet tall if given plenty of space and good drainage!
- Rhipsalis Baccifera ‘Fairy Duster’ (synonyms include Rhodora sp.)
These tiny spines give this plant its common name, the Fairy Duster Plant. They come in shades of pink and red and green or white. It grows well indoors or outdoors but doesn’t survive temperatures below 45°F.
Conclusion
Rhipsalis is a great plant for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. It is easy to care for and can be propagated from seed and cuttings. Also, it will reward you with beautiful blooms in a few years. The only real downside is its slow growth rate.
