Rhipsalis Lepismium Asuntapatense Red Chain Succulent X-Large 20cm pot

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 in the same family as cacti this plant is very different. Often the way to take care of these plants is not the same as how you would expect to look after a regular dessert cactus. While most species of cacti are known to be covered in needles and preferred to live in dry and arid environments, Rhipsalis is quite the opposite and would struggle to survive in the same conditions due to its lack of needles and ability to tolerate the glaring sun. These differences have put Rhipsalis into its own category of cactus often referred to as the jungle cacti.

This stunning plant is more of a trailing wonder, in its natural habitat, it produces narrow thread-like stems that wrap and twist around trees stretching out up to 30 feet long, producing gorgeous displays of red, yellow, orange or white flowers that eventually turn into berries. While not impossible for it to flower as a houseplant it is highly unlikely to be able to recreate its natural conditions well enough to encourage it to flower but nonetheless still makes for a stunning trailing houseplant.