Mistletoe Cactus Care Guide
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Rhipsalis
Botanical Name: Rhipsalis baccifera
Difficulty: Pretty easy to care for
Light
Unlike most cacti, your mistletoe cactus will not thrive in direct sunlight. They’re native to rainforests, so they prefer shade, partial shade or filtered light.
Water
You should water your plant once the soil starts to dry in the growing months. If you water them properly during the growing season, you mistletoe cactus will not need to be watered much during its dormant months in the winter. During these months, you should wait for the top few inches of soil to dry before watering.
Climate
They like temperatures 60°F and above that mimic those of the Rainforest. These guys are definitely NOT frost resistant, so keep that in mind if your mistletoe cactus is outside. They really like humidity, which is easy to create with a terracotta saucer, rocks, and water!
Soil
They will grow the best in a mixture more rich than a cactus mix. The soil should be well-draining, rich, and even a little bit acidic. Remember, it likes moist soil, not soggy soil.
Pests and Diseases
It’s easy to over water a mistletoe cactus, which can cause root rot and attract pests like mealybugs.
Tips
If you have to trim off any damaged stems, use them as cutting for new plants!
East facing windows are ideal for your mistletoe cactus because the sunlight will not be as harsh.
Avoid keeping them in a cool, drafty area.
Use rainwater, tap water that sits out overnight, or distilled water for a happy plant.
Signs your mistletoe cactus isn’t happy
Red stems: sunburned
Dropping stems: over watered
Wilting stems: over watered
Shriveled stems: thirsty
How to propagate
They are the easiest to propagate from cuttings. You should take a cutting from a healthy stem and let it callous for a few days. Once the callouses appear, plant the cutting in a little pot of damp cactus mix or sand. They should start to root in two-six weeks! You should keep them in semi-shaded area for them to get the proper amount of sunlight and keep the soil slightly damp to root and keep
Fun Facts
They are originally found in Florida, Mexico, and Brazil.
Mistletoe cacti grow epiphytically, meaning they don’t really have a firm grip on the earth. They like to grow on vertical things where they can get their moisture from the air.
They can be mounted to a piece of bark or potted in soil.
They produce a small white fruit that is edible and is said to be very sweet!
Hardiness Zones
Before you move your plant outside, be sure to check the hardiness zone to save yourself some grief and the loss of a beloved plant.
The hardiness zones for mistletoe cacti are: 9-10
If you live in Tennessee, here’s a hardiness map to help you decide if your plant can survive outside!
