Mistletoe Cactus / Spaghetti Cactus
Rhipsalis baccifera
description
Mistletoe Cactus is a spineless epiphytic cactus with slender cascading stems and pale berries.
benefits
- Pet-friendly, non-toxic to animals
- Suitable for containers
How to care for Mistletoe Cactus
sunlight
In nature, Mistletoe Cactus hangs from tree branches beneath a forest canopy. Give it filtered indoor light rather than the harsh sun an open-desert cactus would receive.
Bright indirect light
Best for fuller growth. Place near an east-facing window, or a few feet back from a bright south- or west-facing window with a sheer curtain.
Tolerated lower light
It will cope with medium indirect light, but stems may grow more slowly and become thinner or more spaced out. Move it brighter if growth looks sparse.
watering
Water thoroughly, then let the airy mix partly dry before watering again. Mistletoe cactus has fine epiphytic roots that dislike both prolonged dryness and wet, heavy soil.
Spring and summer
About every 7-10 days is a useful starting point in bright, warm conditions. Water when the top 1-2 inches of mix are dry and the pot feels noticeably lighter, then let excess drain away.
Autumn and winter
Roughly every 2-3 weeks is often enough in lower light or cooler rooms. Check deeper into the root ball before watering, especially if growth has slowed.
Water more often in warmth, bright indirect light, small terracotta pots, or a very chunky mix. Water less often in low light, high humidity, cool rooms, or larger plastic pots.
humidity
Preferred humidity
As an epiphytic cactus from humid tropical forests, Mistletoe Cactus appreciates moisture in the air. Average household humidity around 40-50% is usually fine, especially with consistent watering, but it grows best in moderately humid rooms.
How to increase humidity
- Keep it near other plants or use a small humidifier nearby.
- Move it away from heating vents, radiators, and strong air conditioning.
- In winter, aim for at least 40% humidity if indoor heating makes the air very dry.
temperature
Preferred range
Winter minimum
As a tropical forest epiphyte, Mistletoe Cactus prefers steady indoor warmth. It tolerates average home temperatures well, but growth slows in cool rooms and prolonged cold can damage its soft stems.
nutrition
March - August
Feed about once a month while new stems are growing, using a balanced liquid cactus or houseplant fertilizer at half the label strength. Apply to already moist potting mix. Stop feeding in autumn and winter, unless it is still actively growing in warm, bright conditions.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen supports healthy green, trailing stems. A gentle, balanced feed supplies enough without pushing soft, weak growth.
Potassium
Potassium supports sturdy growth and flowering or berry production on mature plants. It is normally included in a balanced fertilizer.
soil
Loose, airy, fast-draining soil
Its epiphytic roots need air as much as moisture. Use a cactus mix loosened with orchid bark and perlite or pumice, with a little coco coir or leaf mold to hold gentle moisture without becoming soggy.
pH 5,5 - 6,5
This is slightly acidic, similar to the organic debris it grows in on tree branches. Most peat- or coco-based houseplant mixes fall in this range, especially when blended with bark.