Mistletoe Cacti Rhipsalis baccifera
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cassytha baccifera
- Cereus baccifer
- Rhipsalis cassytha
- Phonetic Spelling
- RIP-sa-lis bak-IF-er-uh
- Description
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The Mistletoe Cactus is an epiphyte in the cactus family.The plant has numerous slender, trailing, branched stems that are cylindrical and up to 0.2 inches in diameter. The stems are green or pale green. The young stems have bristled wooly areoles that disappear as the stem matures. The flowers are solitary, white to greenish-white, and measure less than 1 inch in diameter. The fruits are small, spherical berries in shades of white, pink, or red. The Mistletoe Cactus can grow up to 6 feet in length and 2 feet wide as a houseplant. In its native habitat of Central and South America, it can reach up to 30 feet in length.
The Mistletoe Cactus grows best as a hanging indoor houseplant and prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and acidic, moist, well-drained soil. It is an easy and low-maintenance plant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Mistletoe Cactus can be susceptible to spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. They have no significant plant diseases. Overwatering can cause mushy stems and root rot. The stems can become brown at the tips if there is a lack of humidity or under-watering.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhipsalis
- Species:
- baccifera
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and South America, Africa, Madagascar
- Distribution:
- Native to many tropical and subtropical countries in Central America, South America, and Africa. Native to Florida
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Houseplant
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Weeping
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits or white, pink, or red round berries that measure about 0.3 inches in diameter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are small, funnel-shaped, solitary, white to greenish-white, and are produced along the stems. They bloom in the winter and spring.
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Leaves:
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are pale green to green, slender, trailing, and cylindrical. They are less than 0.2 inches in diameter. Young stems have bristled wooly areoles. As the stem matures, it becomes smooth.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
