How to care for a Rhipsalis Baccifera

A magnificent plant with an extraordinary leaf structure, the Rhipsalis baccifera is admired for its bright green, pencil-thin foliage that effortlessly trails. Potted in a premium-quality self-watering pot with a soft matte finish, this exquisite plant can reach up to 1.8 metres indoors. Originating from South America, Central America, and Africa’s subtropical climates, this epiphytic plant typically grows perched in trees beneath dense forest canopies—where it acquires moisture and vital nutrients through the air around it as well as its host plant. The low-maintenance Rhipsalis baccifera is ideal for growing indoors. Unlike its epiphytic cousins, such as the Easter or Fishbone Cactus, which are often grown for their attractive flowers, the Rhipsalis baccifera offers an alternative by being grown primarily for its foliage. However, it does produce small flowers during the spring months, though these are relatively insignificant compared to other varieties.

When it comes to the Rhipsalis baccifera, self-watering is the preferred method, as the frequency of manual watering depends on your home’s relative humidity, temperature, and other factors. With easyplant’s self-watering system, caring for your Rhipsalis baccifera is effortless. Simply check the easyplant reservoir once a month and top it up when it’s empty!

The Rhipsalis baccifera grows best in bright, indirect light, where sunlight is diffused. It can also adapt to medium to low light conditions but should not be placed in spaces without natural light or in direct sunlight.

Rotate your Rhipsalis baccifera a quarter-turn each month to ensure even growth. Provide extra nutrition during its flourishing season (spring and summer). To prevent pests, keep the plant in a well-ventilated area. To maintain healthy growth, check for common pests such as mealybugs and scale insects, which may inhabit the plant’s nooks and crannies. Look for white, cotton-like masses on stems, leaves, and branches, or small, crawling insects with segmented bodies. Wipe them off with a damp cloth, spray with a mixture of water and washing-up liquid, or use neem oil as a natural solution. Additionally, maintain a temperature above 10°C at all times.

This epiphytic cactus has a slow growth rate and pale green stems that naturally trail downward, making it ideal for creating a cascading effect. The Rhipsalis baccifera can reach heights of up to 9 metres in the wild, with narrow stems around 0.5 cm in diameter.

In its natural habitat, this plant grows attached to other plants, such as rotting leaves and moss in rainforests. When caring for this species at home, use a soil mix that replicates these conditions. It may take 5–8 years to reach its full size, but with the right care, this species can live for over 25 years.

To keep your Rhipsalis baccifera thriving, maintain a temperature between 16–27°C. If the stems start to dry out, increase humidity levels. This plant thrives in humid environments, making it an excellent houseplant. You can boost humidity by grouping it with other plants or using a humidity tray. For optimal growth, aim for a relative humidity of around 50%.

Not only is the Rhipsalis baccifera safe and non-toxic for human contact and consumption, but it is also pet-friendly. All parts of the plant, including its roots and leaves, are safe to touch and pose no risk to children or pets. This makes it a great choice for households with small children or animals. Additionally, this species has no spines, making it a perfect, worry-free addition to any home.

When grown in the right conditions, the Rhipsalis baccifera has very few problems. However, if you notice the stems turning brown and crispy at the tips, this is usually due to under-watering or low humidity. To prevent this, ensure your plant has enough moisture and is kept away from dry air sources, such as radiators or air conditioning vents.

Wilted stems with mushy bases are a sign of overwatering and potential root rot. Unfortunately, once root rot sets in, it cannot be reversed. Remove any affected parts and cut away the rotted roots. To prevent this from happening again, ensure your pot has proper drainage, use a well-draining soil mix, and allow 2–5 cm of soil to dry out between waterings.