Rhipsalis RHIPSALIS RAMULOSUS also known as a Red Coral cactusย is another variety of popular and easy-to-care Rhipsalis plants which will bring jungle vibes to your home or office.
Rhipsalis is a highly interesting genus of plants that is surprisingly part of the cactus family and is the only cactus in the family that grows outside of North and South America. There are approximately 35 to 60 species that make up this genus of epiphytic (grows on trees) and lithophytic (grows on rocks) plants that can be found in the rainforest of Central and South America, remote jungles of Africa and Asia, and a few islands throughout the Indian Ocean. This genus has been one of the most successful members of the family and has spread itself further than any cacti has gone before!
While some of these species are relatively easy to take care of, we would class Marantaโs at the intermediate level of care as they can be a bit fussier than most. They would prefer you to provide a growing environment similar to their native environment, ideally, these plants would perform best in a greenhouse. But you can still help them to thrive whilst keeping them in your home.
Marantaโs were given their name after the famous Italian 16th-century Botanist Bartolomeo Maranta. But they have received the common name โPrayer Plantโ after an interesting adaptation they have formed to save energy during the night. Once the light level has dropped and it has become dark the flat leaves of the Maranta fold upwards almost perfectly in half giving it the appearance of praying hands.
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