Rhipsalis – Our Forever Plant Pick 🌿
Rhipsalis care to ensure they thrive in South Gippsland
At Greener Life Inverloch, we always have a soft spot for Rhipsalis; better known as the Mistletoe Cactus. In fact, they’re not just our plant of the month… they’re our plant of every month. Why? Because no matter the season, there’s a Rhipsalis to suit just about every home and every plant lover.
Funky Foliage, Endless Forms
There’s a huge variety of species, each with its own personality. Some have noodle-like stems, others are flat or fleshy. Some are hairy and grey-toned, others sleek and green. And when they decide to flower (which is normally late winter - early spring), prepare to be wowed by bursts of white, red, even burgundy blooms. Collecting them can get a little addictive – so leave plenty of room on your shelves for more!
Perfect for Bathrooms & Hanging Pots
Rhipsalis are tough but stylish. They adapt to and cope with the changing humidity of bathrooms and thrive in hanging pots, where they’ll trail down in dramatic cascades. Not keen on a hanging look? They’re just as happy clipped back and grown neatly in pots.
Light & Positioning Tips
These quirky cactus cousins aren’t desert dwellers; they’re jungle epiphytes. That means they enjoy bright, indirect light. Pop them on top of a shelf where they can bask in filtered light rather than tucking them away in a dim corner. And if you’re placing them in a sunny, hot spot, go for the greyer, hairier foliage types – they’re much better at coping with the heat.
Budget-Friendly Care 🌱
Unlike that weekly grocery bill, Rhipsalis won’t drain your wallet. They only need feeding once or twice a year. Just be picky with the fertiliser: liquid (preferably organic, worm-based which you can get from Greener Life Inverloch) works best. Skip the pellets, slow release, or chemical types, their roots struggle to take nutrients up that way. Feed after flowering and at the end of summer.
Potting mix
And don’t forget – all cactus are succulents, though not all succulents are cactus. Which means when it comes to potting, they need a free-draining succulent & cactus mix so their roots never sit soggy and rot
Watering Wisdom 💧
Rhipsalis are happiest with a rhythm - not a schedule. Always check to ensure the potting medium has dried out at the root zone before watering.
- Summer: a deep soak once a month (or a couple of drenches in a heatwave) to plump those fleshy stems with moisture.
- Winter: just the tiniest tinkle, and if temps drop below 14°C – don’t water at all. Keep as dry as the plant can cope with over winter as a cool/ dry rest period will encourage flowering
- Tip: if the foliage starts to wrinkle and look like frozen peas, that’s their way of asking for a drink!
Why We Love Them in Gippsland 🌿
Our Gippsland climate can be a bit tricky for plants – cool winters, damp air and those occasional summer heat spikes. Rhipsalis handle it beautifully. They’re resilient, adaptable, and make indoor greenery feel easy.
✨ Whether you’re new to indoor plants or already hooked, a Rhipsalis is always a good idea. Come check out our collection at Greener Life Inverloch but fair warning: once you start, you might not stop.
Side note - Zig Zag Cactus 🌿
And if you’ve already fallen for rhipsalis, wait until you meet their funky cousin — the zig zag cactus 🌙✨. While we treat them much the same, technically they’re epiphyllums, which means they have their own special rhythm. Come spring or summer, they’ll reward you with the most exquisite, fleeting blooms; opening at night, dazzling for a day or two or maybe even just a few hours, then gone in a flash (so don’t blink and definitely don’t sleep if yours is in bud!). They adore bright light (but not harsh, direct sun on those zig zag stems), enjoy a bit more water than rhipsalis and will thank you for a monthly splash of liquid fertiliser in the warmer months. You may hear them referred to as the Fishbone Cactus. Either way we love them and reckon you will too.
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