Rhipsalis horrida
Place the plant in partial shade.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. In winter, limit watering. Water more frequently than other species.
It can tolerate -3.9 °C in the short term. However, the plant is not hardy.
This epiphytic cactus is best suited for hanging pots. The elegant stems have beautiful branching and the plant requires little care.
Rhipsalis horrida, technically called Rhipsalis baccifera subsp. horrida. It is also nicknamed Mouse Tail Cactus.
It is distinguished by its long, light green stems with reddish-brown bristly spines. These spines are not sharp and do not sting, making Rhipsalis horrida an ideal plant for homes with children and pets. The stems branch freely from the base. They are slender, pendulous and can grow up to 50 cm in length and 0.5 cm in diameter. Rhipsalis horrida is an epilithic and epiphytic cactus, which means that in nature it grows on rocks and on the branches of trees and shrubs, where it feeds on moisture and nutrients from the bark. However, it is not a parasitic plant.
The small and inconspicuous flowers are white-grey to red or brown in colour. They grow to a diameter of 0,5 cm. They appear in winter and spring, often in profusion along the branches.
With its elegantly drooping stems and low maintenance, Rhipsalis horrida is an ideal plant for a hanging pot. It thrives best in a sheltered to shady spot with moderate watering. It has a cactus-like appearance and will fill a space in a shaded hallway or patio.