Rhipsalis grandiflora in 200 mm Green Hanging Basket

Family: Cactaceae (the cactus family)
Genus: Rhipsalis (includes many South American epiphytes)

Botanical/Binomial Name: Rhipsalis grandiflora
Common Names: none; the entire Rhipsalis genus may be referred to generically as ‘Rhipsalis’, ‘jungle cactus’ or ‘mistletoe cactus’

Botanical Characteristics: Herbaceous | Hanging Perennial | Evergreen | Frost tender
Propagation: Cuttings | Layering

Item Description:
PICK-UP ONLY
This item is the exact plant in the photo.

Dimensions of this green hanging basket are 200 mm diameter by 125 mm without hanger, 365 mm with hanger. The clasp hanger is removeable, allowing you the option of hanging or placing on a stand to cascade.

This is a saucerless pot, well-suited for moisture-loving plants such as this species, as water is retained at the bottom of the pot around a drainage well. This reduces watering requirements by reducing drying out whilst also retaining a reservoir for roots to tap into. Excess water above the reservoir simply drains out the hole.

Plant Description:
Rhipsalis grandiflora is an epiphytic cactus, meaning it grows on trees but does not take nutrients from, not harms, the host tree. Even though a member of the cactus family, Rhipsalis grandiflora is thornless and spineless.

R. grandiflora’s native habitat is the south-eastern and southern States of Brazil, specifically Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and São Paulo.

The photo showcases this species’ delightfully quirky growth habit, whereby it mostly hangs but will also send up long, erect smooth stems, which gives it even more visual interest! Some may bend over under their own weight with time.

Little white flowers appear all over the cylindrical stems from June to September, followed by small, round, red fruits.

Growing Information:
As a Brazillian rainforest epiphyte, Rhipsalis grandiflora will need reliably frost-free, humid and moist well-draining conditions, dappled light, and occasional fertilising. It is otherwise a very easy-care plant and does very well indoors if your outdoor environment is not suitable. Regular misting is enough to simulate a humid environment and a slow-release fertiliser mimics the nutrient release it would get in Brazil from collected leaf detritus.

Propagation is mostly by cuttings. Allow a 10 cm piece to callous over a few days before potting on. The plant may also self-root from stems in contact with soil or potting medium.