Rhipsalis cereuscula (Rice or Coral Cactus) in 200 mm Green Hanging Basket

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

Botanical/Binomial Name: Rhipsalis cereuscula
Meaning of Name:
Rhipsalis, from New Latin, from Ancient Greek ῥίψ (rhíps, ‘wickerwork’) + Latin -alis (‘-al’): pertaining to wickerwork; and
cereuscula — I cannot find anything definitive, but my best guess is from Latin cereus (‘wax taper’, ‘torch’, ‘candle’) + Latin -culus (suffix added to noun to form diminutive; ie ‘little’, ‘small’): small candles? (as of the branches?)

Common Names: Rice Cactus, Coral Cactus. 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 cereuscula 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 cereuscula is thornless and spineless.

R. cereuscula’s native habitat is Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

This species gets its name from the small, rice-like branch segments, but as with Rhipsalis grandiflora, R. cereuscula also sends up long, erect extension shoots for added visual appeal! Some may bend over under their own weight with time, and will root should they touch the ground.

A showy mass of white flowers appear on the terminal segments all over the plant over spring and summer.

Growing Information:
Rhipsalis cereuscula 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.

Rhipsalis in general thrive all-year outdoors in frost-free climates, where they can be hung from porches, verandahs and even tree branches. Regular misting is enough to simulate a humid environment and a slow-release fertiliser mimics the nutrient release it would get in the wild 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 will self-root from stems in contact with soil or potting medium.