Mistletoe Cactus Care + Tips

INSIDE : Learn all about Mistletoe Cactus Care + Tips!  From their best watering needs, propagating tips, ideal light amounts and even where to buy a Mistletoe Cactus plant.

And here below is my Mistletoe Cactus plant when it was just a sweet little baby! Oh my, he has grown.

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There is a new plant in town that has stolen my heart!  

I was on the hunt about seven months ago for a basil plant.  I had a project that called specifically for a basil plant and it was January and I couldn’t find one anywhere.  I went to every grocery store, local trendy plant shop and even all my big box stores when suddenly…. I forgot about the basil because I laid eyes on this beauty – the Mistletoe Cactus.

So, let’s dive into this gorgeous succulent plant.

Basic Mistletoe Cactus Care + Tips :

Rhipsalis capilliforms or Mistletoe Cactus is a species of jungle cacti that are primarily native to South America.  They are often found growing as epiphytes, which means growing on trees. They are becoming very popular due to how easy they are to grow indoors and how their stems grow and trail so organically. 

Are you a plant fanatic like me??  You might like some of my other Plant Care + Tip posts.

I have found Mistletoe Cactus to be wonderfully easy plants.  

They prefers bright but indirect light.  Since they are originally often found growing on trees in the jungle, they can actually handle pretty minimal light for extended periods of time. 

Be sure to rotate your plant every so often to help encourage growth on all sides.

Ready for an update on growth??!

This was taken a year after purchase… look how lovely and long all this cactus has grown!!

How often should I water Mistletoe Cactus?

Although Mistletoe Cactus are native to tropical rainforests, they are a type of cactus and can be sensitive to overwatering.  I have recommend checking your plants soil once a week before automatically giving them a drink.

I have noticed most of the time when I give mine a weekly check that his soil is still a damp.  So, I have been watering my Mistletoe Cactus about once every two weeks.  Make sure they have plenty of time to dry out between waterings to avoid potential rot in the roots.

In general, they should be watered more regularly during the growing months between March to August.  During the fall and winter months, water it only sparingly when the soil starts to dry don’t let it dry out completely.

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What kind of light does Mistletoe Cactus need?

Mistletoe Cactus really prefer a bright indirect light.  They are very sensitive to too much sunlight and a shady outdoor spot works fine, too if you have warm enough weather.

You will know your plant is getting too much direct sunlight if you start seeing the stems turn a reddish color, that means it is being sun burnt.

How do you propagate Mistletoe Cactus?

Propagation for Mistletoe Cactus is easiest done through stem cuttings. Find a mature shoot or stem section.  Allow it to callous for several days where you made the cut and then place on well-draining soil. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely.

This process usually takes around 2 to 6 weeks depending on growing conditions and seasons.  

Looking to learn how to water propagate plants?  Check out this post for more information on it.

What are other names for Mistletoe Cactus?

Another name for Mistletoe Cactus is Old Man’s Beard.

Why are my Mistletoe Cactus stems falling off?

If you notice that your Mistletoe Cactus stems are falling off, there is a good chance your plant might not have enough light.  Start by trying to move it to a brighter location and see if that improves things.

Dropping stems from your Mistletoe cactus could also come from over watering.  Let the soil completely dry out before you water again.  And then only water when the top of the soil starts to dry out.

Where to buy Mistletoe Cactus plant?

Mistletoe Cactus is still a more rare plant and a bit harder to come by.  I ironicly I got my plant from my local Lowes garden center.  However, there are many wonderful specimens available for purchase from Etsy.  I have found some great options below.

You might be interested in some of my other Plant Care posts:

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