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Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Rhipsalis cereuscula
Also known as : Mistletoe Cactus
Coral cactus (Rhipsalis cereuscula) is a shrubby, trailing cactus that grows on the surface of other plants in the wild. Coral cactus originates in Uruguay and Brazil. This species is often cultivated for ornamental purposes. In cultivation, the coral cactus should not be left to dry out or exposed to bright sunlight.
Hardiness Zones
Hardiness Zones
10 to 11
plant_info

Key Facts About Coral cactus

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Attributes of Coral cactus

Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Succulent
Bloom Time
Spring, Late fall, Winter
Plant Height
60 cm
Spread
60 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
White
Green
Fruit Color
White
Leaf type
Evergreen
Ideal Temperature
20 - 38 ℃

Scientific Classification of Coral cactus

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distribution

Distribution of Coral cactus

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Habitat of Coral cactus

Lowland to submontane tropical moist forest

Distribution Map of Coral cactus

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Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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Questions About Coral cactus

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Watering Watering Watering
Temperature Temperature Temperature
What is the best way to water my Coral cactus?
It's important to know various ways to water the Coral cactus. Some might ask whether they should do the watering from top to bottom, or is it the opposite? According to the experts, one of the best ways to water the cactus is to start from the bottom. This will ensure that there will be enough water to reach the root of the plants. If you're starting from the top, there will not be enough saturation. The water will trickle and evaporate, and only a small amount will reach its roots.
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What should I do if my Coral cactus is underwatered?
Sometimes, you might notice that even if you water it frequently enough, it will start to dry out. When you see that the flowers are beginning to wilt and there's not enough water, the issue might be in the container where they are planted. Choose a bigger one if this is the case. Buy a pot that drains easily. You will need to mix it with the right potting soil and clean sand so it will absorb more water easier. The soil that is too wet will not go well with the roots. Since this species is an epiphyte, it won't be able to handle soggy roots since it absorbs water and nutrients from the air. It's best to ensure that there's proper drainage to prevent fungal infections. When you notice the cactus is limp, you can transfer or re-pot it into fresh earth. Gently remove the soil as much as possible and keep it evenly moist. Mist the cactus frequently whenever possible. After the flowers have finished blooming, you might want to cut back on watering until you see new buds appearing. When the soil dries too much, the buds will begin to drop, so you might want to add some water but not too much. Sometimes, underwatering, which is followed by overwatering that many owners do for compensation, is quite common. These cacti are considered to be succulents. The lack of water is not noticeable until everything is too late. They show that there are issues when they begin to droop and wither. The well-intentioned plant owner will give them massive amounts of water. This is where the roots become desiccated. They become so dry that they can't take in any excess water. It will result in waterlogged plants, and the remaining roots may rot. If you notice some signs of wilting or underwatering, you can try to bring the species back to life with regular and frequent watering. However, make sure that it won't be a deluge, so you'll give the cactus a chance to regenerate and recover its roots.
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How much water should I give my Coral cactus?
The Coral cactus must be properly watered to keep it healthy all year round. It should be potted in well-draining soil so it would produce beautiful blooms. The amount of water that the Coral cactus needs can vary. When you see that about 1/3 of the topsoil is dry, this is the best time to water them. They are thirstier than the other succulents, so watering should take place about 1x every week. Use your fingers to check if the soil is about two inches dry. If you notice that the soil is very dry on the top layer, run the water until it goes through the drainage of the pots. There should be a tray underneath to catch the extra water. After about 10 to 15 minutes, discard everything, including the excess water. The soaking method should work well with the Coral cactus but don't let it sit on the water-filled pot for a long time. When the species is in its flowering stage, it's highly recommended to water it sparingly. Ideally, the best time to water them is when you notice that the leaves begin to droop. Make sure to fill the saucer of the pots with pebbles. Add water to the pebbles to add humidity to your Coral cactus. The best way to understand whether it's time to water the Coral cactus is to check the soil. When it's too dry, simply add water and moisture. However, don't let the pot sit in the water, especially during the winter when the soil takes a long time to dry. This can cause root rot. Know that these species can react to various seasonal changes. Watering it the correct way will mean that you should consider the climate. If you live in a dry and hot climate, the plants will need more watering, which is about twice per week. If you live in a humid area, then watering only 1x a week can work well. You should water this less frequently in the fall and winter if you want the flowers to bloom. When the pots are exposed to too much sunlight, then the moisture will dry out faster. This is when the plant needs more watering. Watering should be less if it is in a cool or humid place.
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What will happen if I overwater my Coral cactus?
Sometimes, you might overwater your Coral cactus, which makes it look limp or wilted. When you've neglected it for too long, give it a little drink. Continue to provide it with water in a sparing way until you see that there's slight moisture in the soil. Overwatering can cause the development of a fungal infection called white rot. The leaves tend to droop, which might result in wilting. Like any other species, the cactus can't stand overwatering or underwatering. They don't tolerate dry soil since the flowers will start dropping at the same time, and this is something that you don't want to happen.
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Should I adjust the frequency of watering my Coral cactus according to different seasons?
The cold months and the hot months are not the same. The temperatures tend to drop during the winter and fall, and the soil will take longer to dry. This is when you don't need to water the succulents often. These two seasons are also the best time for the Coral cactus to show its beautiful blooms. Water sparingly to maintain the health of the plant. During the months of October, stop watering when there's too much water in the soil. Resume the care in November but keep the moisture light when the temperatures are still cool. When the blooms start to appear, stop watering for about a few weeks so the plants can rest from too much moisture. These are very delicate, so when you see new growth, you can resume the watering once a week if you need to.
Read More more
Should I water my Coral cactus differently when I plant it indoors vs outdoors?
Your plant's location is something you need to consider when it comes to its watering needs. When the plant grows near the window or outdoors, the air might be too dry, and the temperatures are too high. This is where you should water the plant for about 2x a week. When it's growing indoors in a humid and cool environment, it will definitely need less watering. Indirect sunlight will also have an impact since the soil does not tend to dry out faster. This is where the succulent will just be fine with once-a-week watering. However, you still need to check the soil with a moisture meter to know what it needs.
Read More more
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Pygmy water lily
Pygmy water lily
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Chinese hibiscus
Chinese hibiscus
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Little white soldiers
Little white soldiers
Little white soldiers (Drimiopsis maculata) is a flowering plant that is native to parts of Africa. It is sometimes known as “leopard plant” because of the dark green spots on its light green leaves. Each plant produces a spike of small, creamy-white flowers.
Pohutukawa
Pohutukawa
Another name for pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) is an evergreen tree native to New Zealand with showy flowers that look like crimson bottlebrushes. If you take good care of it, this tree will last ten years.
Mandacaru
Mandacaru
Mandacaru is a spiny flowering succulent tree that has no leaves. In spring, the blossoms bloom at dusk and wither by the morning. In the past, it has been used for timber and construction or feed for livestock at times of drought; now, it can be used as a living fence or as an ornamental.
Cape jasmine
Cape jasmine
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Golden pothos
Golden pothos
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
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Related Plants
Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Coral cactus
Rhipsalis cereuscula
Also known as: Mistletoe Cactus
Coral cactus (Rhipsalis cereuscula) is a shrubby, trailing cactus that grows on the surface of other plants in the wild. Coral cactus originates in Uruguay and Brazil. This species is often cultivated for ornamental purposes. In cultivation, the coral cactus should not be left to dry out or exposed to bright sunlight.
Hardiness Zones
Hardiness Zones
10 to 11
plant_info

Key Facts About Coral cactus

feedback
Feedback
feedback

Attributes of Coral cactus

Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Succulent
Bloom Time
Spring, Late fall, Winter
Plant Height
60 cm
Spread
60 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
White
Green
Fruit Color
White
Leaf type
Evergreen
Ideal Temperature
20 - 38 ℃
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Scientific Classification of Coral cactus

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distribution

Distribution of Coral cactus

feedback
Feedback
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Habitat of Coral cactus

Lowland to submontane tropical moist forest

Distribution Map of Coral cactus

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
question

Questions About Coral cactus

feedback
Feedback
feedback
Watering Watering Watering
Temperature Temperature Temperature
What is the best way to water my Coral cactus?
more
What should I do if my Coral cactus is underwatered?
more
How much water should I give my Coral cactus?
more
What will happen if I overwater my Coral cactus?
more
Should I adjust the frequency of watering my Coral cactus according to different seasons?
more
Should I water my Coral cactus differently when I plant it indoors vs outdoors?
more
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plant_info

Plants Related to Coral cactus

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