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Cactus SucculentHouseplants

Rhipsalis baccifera

A variable species of epiphytic cactus, with slender, trailing, cylindrical green or pale blue-green stems. Young stems bear sparse woolly areoles with a few bristly spines, these often disappear as the stems mature. Small, funnel-shaped white or greenish-white flowers are produced along the stems, usually from winter to spring but sometimes year round. These are followed by small, round, translucent white or pale pink berries

Synonyms

Rhipsalis cassytha

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1B

Botanical details

Family: Cactaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Trailing
Genus: Rhipsalis are epiphytic perennials with branched stems that may be cylindrical, winged or leaf-like, and small funnel-shaped flowers followed by berry-like fleshy fruits
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Tropics

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in an epiphytic cactus compost, in bright indirect light with high humidity. Mist daily with soft water. Water moderately when in growth and apply a dilute low nitrogen fertilizer monthly. Keep just moist in winter. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 19-24°C, or by stem cuttings in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

hanging basket
Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required, though stems can grow to metres long, and may be trimmed if required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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