Rhipsalis paradoxa
| Light | Bright, filtered light; no harsh direct midday sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Regular in growth; keep evenly moist but never soggy, ease off in winter |
| Soil | Airy, humus-rich epiphytic 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 paradoxa, widely known as the chain cactus or link plant, is a trailing epiphytic cactus from the rainforests of eastern Brazil. Its most striking feature is its jointed stems: each segment is three-angled and three-winged, and successive links are twisted so that the wings alternate direction from one segment to the next, producing a distinctive chain-like or braided silhouette that gives the plant its common names.
Description
Rhipsalis paradoxa is a soft, pendent, much-branched cactus that trails and cascades rather than standing upright, making it a classic hanging-basket plant. The stems are divided into distinct segments, each bearing three prominent wings or angles. What sets the species apart is the way each new segment is rotated relative to the one before it, so the flat faces and angles alternate along the stem — the effect is a twisted, articulated "chain" running down the whole length.
Along the notches of the wings sit small areoles, often with a few tiny bristles when young. As with most Rhipsalis, the plant is essentially spineless and unarmed in the usual sense. Small, cream to white flowers appear along the stem margins, followed by little rounded, translucent berries — typically pale or pinkish — much like other members of the genus.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the Atlantic coastal forests (Mata Atlântica) of southeastern Brazil, where it grows as an epiphyte perched on tree branches, and sometimes as a lithophyte on shaded, mossy rock. In these humid forests it lives in dappled light beneath the canopy, its roots anchored in pockets of leaf litter and moss rather than in ordinary ground soil. Conditions there are warm, shaded and reliably moist with excellent air movement — a useful guide to what the plant wants in cultivation.
Cultivation
Unlike most desert cacti, Rhipsalis paradoxa is a forest plant and is watered and fed far more generously. Grow it in an open, humus-rich epiphytic mix — for example a blend based on orchid bark, coir or fine composted matter with plenty of grit or perlite for drainage — and keep it in bright but filtered light. Direct midday sun will scorch and bleach the stems; too little light leaves growth thin and sparse.
Water regularly through the warm growing season so the mix stays lightly and evenly moist, letting only the surface dry between waterings, then reduce watering in winter while keeping the plant from drying out completely. It appreciates humidity and warmth and dislikes cold; protect it from frost and cold draughts. A hanging basket or raised pot suits its trailing habit best. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Propagation is easy and usually done from stem cuttings. Detach a healthy segment or a short length of stem, let the cut end callus for a day or two, then set it in a moist, airy rooting mix; cuttings root readily in warm, humid conditions. The plant can also be grown from seed sown on the surface of a moist mix, though cuttings are faster and reproduce the parent exactly.
Common problems
- Rot — the commonest cause of loss, from a mix that stays waterlogged or from cold, wet winter conditions; stems soften, discolour and collapse.
- Shrivelling — thin, wrinkled segments usually signal underwatering or very low humidity, since this is a moisture-loving forest species.
- Scorch and bleaching — stems that yellow, redden or bleach are getting too much direct sun; move to brighter shade.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the joints and areoles) and scale are the usual offenders; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Rhipsalis — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting
- Propagation — cuttings · Propagation — seed