Mistletoe Cactus - Rhipsalis Heteroclada

English name:

Mistletoe Cactus

Latin name:

Rhipsalis Heteroclada

About me:

I am extremely hard but always remember to place me at least a few feet from a window.

I will let you know when I am thirsty, my tendrils will start to pucker and lose rigidity

Origin:

I am a native from Central and South America and you can find me in the understory of trees.

Water:

Despite that I am originally from the tropical rainforests, I am quite sensitive to overwatering.

Water me once a week, or whenever the soil becomes dry. I prefer lightly moist, but not wet soil, but also I love to have an ample time to dry out to avoid water buildup in the soil that can rot my roots.

If my tendrils turn brown and crispy, you’ve waited too long since last watering, but don’t despair — I am a very forgiving plant and I will usually bounce back.

Temperature:

I like warm room temperatures of 21-24°C are perfect, with a night time minimum of 16°C.

Height/Growth:

I can achieve heights of 1m, although my stems are fragile so I may break off before this point. I don't grow at a super fast pace.

Feed:

A very weak solution of cactus feed once or twice a year in the growing season should be sufficient.

Position:

Rotate me periodically to ensure even growth on all sides.

Care:

Dust my stalks often so I can photosynthesize efficiently.

Toxicity:

I am pet and children safe

Fact:

My scientific name is derived from the Ancient Greek word for "wickerwork," a reference to my form.

FAQ's abour Rhipsalis Heteroclada:

My Rhipsalis' tendrils are falling off. What do I do?

There’s a good chance your rhipsalis isn’t receiving enough light. Try moving it to a brighter location and see how it does. It also could be related to root rot from overwatering.

How long can the tendrils get?

Rhipsalis can reach lengths of over 20ft in the wild. For this reason it’s a perfect cascading shelf plant. They grow slow, so be patient, but with proper care they get as long as you can handle.

How often should I fertilize?

In general, house plants will thrive when they are fed in spring through to autumn. Fertilize once a month with a half diluted cactus feed, following the package instructions for dilution and administration. We use an organic potting mix with a slow release fertilizer in the soil, so your plant will not need fertilizer within the first 6 months of receiving it.

How often does my plant need to be repotted?

For smaller desktop plants, we suggest repotting once every 12-18 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 1”- 2” larger in diameter to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plant's roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time to repot as the plant is at its strongest.