Rhipsalis baccifera
| Light | Bright, indirect light; protect from harsh direct sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Regular in growth; let the top of the mix dry between waterings, ease off in winter |
| Soil | Open, humus-rich but free-draining epiphyte mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Warm; keep above about 10 °C, no frost (USDA zones 10–11) |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (very easy); also seed |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Rhipsalis baccifera, the mistletoe cactus, is a pendulous, thread-stemmed epiphytic cactus that trails in long tangled masses of soft green stems studded with small translucent white berries. It is remarkable among cacti for having the widest natural distribution of any species in the family — and, unusually, one that reaches beyond the Americas into Africa, Madagascar and Sri Lanka. It belongs to the genus Rhipsalis, the mistletoe cacti, and is one of the easiest and most forgiving of all cacti to grow indoors.
Description
Rhipsalis baccifera is a clumping, much-branched epiphyte with slender, cylindrical stems only a few millimetres thick that cascade downward in dense, ropey curtains often reaching well over a metre in length. The pale-to-mid green stems branch freely and are soft and pliable rather than rigid. Being an epiphyte, it is essentially spineless; young stems may carry a few fine bristly hairs at the areoles, but the plant has none of the armament associated with desert cacti.
The flowers are tiny, cream to greenish-white and borne singly along the stems. They are followed by the plant's signature fruit: small, round, glassy-translucent white (occasionally pinkish) berries, very much like those of true mistletoe — hence the common name mistletoe cactus. The berries are mucilaginous inside and contain numerous fine seeds.
Distribution and habitat
The species has the broadest range of any cactus. In the Americas it occurs from Florida and Central America south through much of tropical South America. Uniquely for the cactus family, it is also native across tropical Africa, Madagascar, the Mascarene Islands and Sri Lanka — the only cactus generally accepted as occurring naturally in the Old World. This disjunct range is usually attributed to long-distance dispersal of the sticky, bird-carried seeds, though its exact history is still debated.
Throughout its range it grows as an epiphyte (and sometimes a lithophyte), perched in the forks and mossy branches of trees in humid forests, where its roots take hold in pockets of leaf litter and its stems hang free to catch moisture and filtered light.
Cultivation
Rhipsalis baccifera is one of the most forgiving cacti for the home, and its trailing habit makes it a natural for hanging baskets and high shelves. Its needs differ from those of desert cacti: it prefers bright but indirect light rather than fierce sun, which can scorch and yellow the stems, and it appreciates more regular water and higher humidity than its arid cousins.
Grow it in an open, free-draining but humus-rich mix — an epiphyte or orchid-style blend with added bark and grit suits it well. Water when the top of the mix has dried, keeping it lightly moist through the growing season and easing back in winter, but never let it stand in water. It enjoys the warmth and humidity of a bright bathroom or kitchen. Feed sparingly during active growth. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Propagation could hardly be simpler. Take a length of stem, let the cut end callus for a day or two, and lay or insert it into moist mix; it will root readily, especially in warm, humid conditions. Even detached segments that fall onto the surface often strike on their own. The plant can also be grown from its fine seeds, cleaned from the ripe berries, sown on the surface of a moist mix and kept warm and humid — though cuttings are quicker and far more common. See Propagation — cuttings and Propagation — seed for full walkthroughs.
Common problems
- Rot — the usual cause of loss, from a soggy, airless mix or standing water; stems yellow, soften and collapse.
- Shrivelling stems — thin, wrinkled stems usually signal underwatering or too-low humidity, as this forest epiphyte dislikes prolonged drought.
- Scorching — too much direct sun bleaches or reddens the stems; move to brighter shade.
- Pests — mealybugs can hide among the tangled stems and at the roots; scale and spider mites turn up occasionally.
See also
- Rhipsalis — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — cuttings · Propagation — seed · Repotting · Pests and diseases