The fishbone cactus is an easy-to-care-for hanging plant that grows long succulent stems resembling zig zag fishbones. To grow this plant, choose a bright window with indirect light and keep it away from drafty areas or AC and heater vents to prevent drying. Train the stems to climb or let them trail or drape, making them popular for hanging baskets. Choose a planter with drainage holes to help prevent overwatering.
The main care requirements for growing a low-maintenance fishbone cactus are to plant it in bright, indirect light, provide it with plenty of moist, humid conditions, and use a well-draining planter. Unlike desert cacti, fishbone cacti need regular watering, ideally when the top couple of centimeters of the compost are dry. Fertilize once a year in spring with a balanced soil mix.
When growing fishbone cacti as a houseplant, avoid direct sunlight, as too much sunlight can bleach out the leaves. Water the fishbone cactus regularly, ideally when the top couple of centimeters of the compost are dry, and fertilize once. Use a planter with a drainage hole and water using tepid water.
Keep the fishbone cactus in a warm and bright spot near a west or east-facing window, water when the top couple of centimeters are dry, usually once a week. Always ensure your fishbone cactus receives at least six hours of indirect sunlight each day. If you live in a less sun-drenched area, consider keeping the soil moderately moist.
📹 Ric Rac Cactus (Ephiphyllum anguliger) Care Guide & Repot! 🌿🌵💚 // Garden Answer
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Why does my Fishbone Cactus look sick?
Fishbone cacti are easy to maintain and rarely encounter issues as long as they are not overwatered or exposed to too much sun. To prevent watering issues, invest in an easyplant self-watering system. If the cactus looks limp or experiences leaf drop, it may be due to root rot. Remove the plant from its pot, check for root rot, cut away brown or mushy roots, and repot them in well-draining soil. Mealybugs can occasionally appear on the leaves, and they require careful monitoring to catch them early.
Identify white, cottony masses on stems, leaves, and branches or small, crawling insects with segmented bodies. Treat them with a damp cloth, water and dish soap mixture, or neem oil as a natural solution.
The Fishbone Cactus is non-toxic and safe to keep around pets and children, making it an attractive addition to any home decor. It is native to jungle habitats in Mexico and Central America and is not commonly seen in nurseries or home gardens.
Why is my fishbone plant turning yellow?
Fishbone Cactus can experience common issues such as overwatering, underwatering, sunburn, and sunburn. Overwatering can cause yellowing or browning of stems, while underwatering can cause shriveled or wrinkled stems. To address these issues, reduce H2O levels and improve soil drainage. Underwatering can cause a dry, crispy texture, which is a sign of a parched throat. Adjust the watering schedule to quench the plant’s thirst, but don’t go overboard. Sunburn can result from prolonged sunbathing, so move the cactus to a gentler light spot and allow it to acclimate slowly. This is similar to applying aloe to a sunburn, but for fishbone cactus.
How can I improve my cactus health?
Cacti are a versatile and easy-to-care plant that can be found in various shapes and sizes. They thrive in dry soil, making them suitable for any environment. To maintain their health, water them infrequently, keeping them in a bright, sunny spot. In warmer months, treat them with a cactus-specific fertiliser. Finally, place them in a stylish pot that showcases their cool silhouette. Cacti come in various shapes and sizes, making them a versatile and easy-to-care plant that doesn’t require much attention. Whether you prefer a boho vibe or a plant that can handle neglect, cacti are a great choice for any gardener.
Does Fishbone Cactus need sunlight?
Fishbone cactus thrive in bright indirect sunlight, with the best location being in a sunny area with morning sun and shade in the afternoon. Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods to prevent scorching. To increase the chances of blooming, provide plenty of sun in late summer to early autumn. Regularly fertilize the fishbone cactus with a high-quality fertilizer with a 10:10:10 ratio every two weeks until the flowers bloom. In February, use a 2-10-10 ratio. Do not fertilize the fishbone cactus once the flowers have blossomed.
What are the signs of cactus overwatering?
Overwatering can cause soft or mushy stems on cacti, leading to root or stem rot. To prevent this, allow the soil to dry completely between waterings and plant the cactus in well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes. A foul smell, often accompanied by a mushy texture, may indicate rotting due to overwatering. To prevent these issues, ensure the cactus is planted in a pot with drainage holes and that the soil is well-draining.
How to care for a fish bone plant?
To water your fishbone cactus, ensure the soil is dry to the touch and have drainage holes. Avoid over-watering and allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. The fishbone cactus prefers warm temperatures between 18-26°C and should be kept away from cold drafts and heaters. Fertilize once a month during the spring and summer growing season with a cactus fertiliser for optimal results and faster growth of the wiggly stems.
Why is my fishbone plant dying?
Wrinkling or shriveling of stems is often a sign of dehydration from too much light or not enough water. If accompanied by softness or yellowing, it’s more likely due to insufficient light or too much water. To address this, balance the amount of light and watering frequency. Check-in with your plant to determine if they need water and allow half the soil to dry completely before watering again. As seasons change, the watering schedule must also change. Symptoms include a reddish tinge across stems, especially new growth.
How often should I water my fishbone plant?
The plant should be irrigated at intervals of 2-3 weeks, or when the upper 2-3 centimetres of soil are dry. During the summer months, this may be reduced to once a week. The plant should be watered at the sink and the excess water should be allowed to drain thoroughly before returning the plant to its pot.
How do you care for a fishbone fern indoors?
It is essential to maintain soil moisture, while avoiding excessive irrigation, particularly during the growing season. This approach will prevent damage to the plants and the browning of fronds. It is recommended that clean, sharp secateurs be used to remove spent fronds in order to prevent the draining of energy from dead leaves.
How to make fishbone cactus bloom?
The Fishbone Cactus thrives on bright, indirect light, which is crucial for its blooming process. To ensure optimal blooming, choose a spot that is bright enough to read a book without turning on a light but shielded from the harsh midday sun. The temperature and humidity preferences of the Fishbone Cactus should be similar to a Goldilocks, with daytime temperatures between 70-80°F (21-27°C) and a slight dip at night.
Average room humidity is acceptable, but if the air is drier, consider using a pebble tray or humidifier. Proper watering and feeding are essential for the Fishbone Cactus to thrive and ensure their blooming process.
Why are the leaves on my fishbone prayer plant turning brown?
To prevent brown leaves on a prayer plant, give it proper care and attention. Regularly water the plant using rain or distilled water, avoiding accumulation around the roots. Maintain sufficient humidity by misting the leaves or using a humidifier nearby. Limit direct sunlight exposure to the plant. Check for pests and trim damaged leaves to promote new growth. Drooping leaves are common in prayer plants, triggered by factors like low sunlight, temperature swings, imbalanced humidity, underwatering, nutrient deficiency, and tap water containing chemicals like fluoride and chloride.
To fix a droopy prayer plant, adjust the watering schedule, ensure soil remains moist but not waterlogged, and adjust the plant’s position for bright, indirect light. Increase humidity levels through misting or placing a humidifier nearby can also help the foliage perk up.
📹 Best Tips for FAST Growth In Epiphyllum Anguliger 🌵 Fishbone / Ric Rac / Zig Zag Cactus Tips
Best tips for fast growth in epiphyllum anguliger – fishbone ric rac zig zag cactus tips – fishbone cactus care – fishbone cactus …
I don’t usually leave a comment because you get so many. However, I just wanted to say that the filming and editing is superb (as well as the content of course 😊). Great job to all of you working as a team to make these articles, thank you! Being a YouTube gardening creator myself, these things really stand out to me. #goals! 👩🏼🌾💚
I have a Ric-Rac Cactus that I’m about to move into a nicer (and slightly larger) pot. I usually have a green thumb when it comes to house-plants but thought I’d see if there was any further info on this cactus that may be worthwhile. I clicked on three websites before finding you. I just wanted to say what a great job you did on this article. You didn’t waste time talking about your Aunt Ethel having your cactus back in the 1940’s, or who had it next, etc, etc. You immediately dove into the important info needed about this plant, explaining about soil, watering and sunlight preference … all the important facts! What a treat your website is; I wish you much luck in the future! Great job! 🇨🇦👍
I was given a few baby ripsalis pieces that I too was treating more like a cactus, then realized its origin of forest floor dwelling. The watering and soil too was a game changer for its happiness. I’ll be on the lookout for this one now; sounds like more of a lower light plant for indoors. Thanks for sharing. … I hope you still do the drive-thru Christmas light tour…
This is one of my favorite plants at my home. Mine are on a window ledge on the south side and they won’t stop growing new leaves. So beautiful indeed! I water mine quite often even though it’s winter and cold here in PA because I treat them as jungle cacti. Also, I planted them in those terracotta orchid pots which have enough holes for drainage, and the orchid pot also allows me to be able to hang it if I want to. I love this plant!
Received my rickrack from a gentleman in a nearby subdivision. He is a big succulent and orchid grower. He called it an orchid cactus. Has a custom garage built for his hobby. I had it for four years, but mine never bloomed. It had stiffer stems than yours have. Probably a little different variety. Edit: after some research I find that the species, which is white and cream color has the more pronounced Rick rack leaves, and the hybrid, which blooms pink which he gave me has less rickrack and more if an Easter cactus leaves. I think I may try one again. I will get it from Logee which is my go to place for all things tropical. I have no problem with blooming either of the holiday cactus types.
I had one for years and its favorite place in the summer was my north front porch. After many years it bloomed….. 127 blooms was on it!!! My neighbors went nuts over it. Gave them pieces to start theirs. In 2009 in January, very cold, -16 that nite, we had a fire. I lost that one 😫 and the Christmas cactus I got from my mother-in-law…. it was 68 years old in 1986. It was devastating!! Plus my Plumerias i had as trees and 20 years…. I’m trying to rebuild my collection ….. all still slow growing but they are coming. I would love to see my fishbone re bloom!! Merry Happy Christmas!!! Have fun with your babies! 🎅🎄🤗🎀🚂🚜🚚
I bought one last spring and while I was on a girls trip in August my husband watered it every day! It started to die so I cut off the dead stuff and replanted, it seems to be recovering ok. I did read that the chance of having them bloom is better if they’re root bound, we’ll see in several years! Thanks for all you do, Merry Christmas 💖
The ric rac cactus is one of my favorites! I have a queen of the night cactus and it’s about 8 yrs old now. I’m so happy I finally added the ric rac to my collection. Great article as always ! It’s so great seeing you and what your planting next. I love the arrangements and pots you pick out.. so lovely and that plant looks like it’s s going to be very happy in that planter. Have a wonderful day. Hope the family is doing well 💕 I’d love to see an update on how it’s doing.
I love GA. Happy Holidays! On December 21,2021, You commented Your African Violet is not doing well. I hope you place water in saucer. They like to be watered from bottom. You make it looks so easy. I love when you say, “I don’t know”. You are real & authenticate. It let’s me know it’s ok to try & learn. Keep, Keepin it real!
This sounds like the same care for a Silver Dollar Vine. Everything online kept saying to treat it like a cactus, but I almost killed it. I’m so thankful you explained that not all cacti are a like. Once I gave it a half and half soil mix, it thrived. I kinda want to send you a cutting of this rare plant.
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard you mention your first name…It would be nice for you to introduce yourself each article.I think viewers would feel a closer connection if you do. I love this article! You are a natural in front of the camera. So informative with a great presence. Thank you for all the tid-bits about this lovely plant. I want one!! You give an ease about gardening that helps dispel the fear of messing up or killing something. I’m hooked on your website.
Merry Christmas Laura and family! I just want to thank you for your website. Like so many, I look forward to this every day and miss you when you are gone. I hope you are having a fantastically blessed Christmas. You have the sweetest family. I think that’s why we all like perusal you so much. You are just such good people and I feel like I get to visit you every day. God bless.
My daughter gave me a small size one for Mother’s Day. It has taken off! It started growing many full stems, but now it is growing long spindle looking pieces. These growths have little things growing off them. Yet, there appears to be buds growing off them as well. This is the first time I have done research on the plant. You don’t seem to have any thing similar to what I am speaking about. I am anxiously waiting to see what is going to happen! Thank you for your informative article!
Thanks for the great article as always, Laura. You mentioned an interesting point about switching to a fertiliser with a higher phosphorus number once (if) they start to bloom. Could you possibly do a article in the future about fertilisers in general and the N P K ratios and describe when to pick one over the other?
I usually don’t write in here because you get so many, but before this year is over I need to tell you and Aaron how much I love you and how you have turned me into a desert gardener! Never thought it was possible to grow anything here but the usual stuff and this last year I had the most beautiful flowers and I’m so excited for spring!! Now when I go looking for plants and I see someone wondering and looking lost I help them and always tell them about you! God bless you and your family and Merry Christmas and an amazing New Year!!!
Great article! I have always wanted to get this plant, especially at this size or larger, but they aren’t always easy to find. Your parents garden center really does have such lovely plants both inside and out. Looking forward to the next tour of the garden center in the future to see what current things they have for offer and display. 🙂
Laura- thanks so much for continuing to expand our exposure and knowledge to plants we may not typically see! One idea- would you ever consider a garden dedicated to completely new items.. seeds from other countries, plants that you never thought of growing? I think it would be such a fun journey! PS My Christmas wish was fulfilled. A pair of Felco 2s! Can’t wait to use them soon! Happy Holidays!
I have a ricrac cactus that I got last year. It was about the same size as one of the pots you got (6″) but I only got one and it was really short leaves compared to yours. Mine has grown like CRAZY and got so big I had to move it to my toddler’s room (I got it for him and his room, honestly; it’s non toxic!!!) And it’s still taking off like it’s on steroids. I think it’s in an 8″ pot now, but the roots are very small so it isn’t a problem. I will say it liked to sit up against my east facing windows with no shade, but I’ve moved it to a south window and I just pulled it back about a foot. If it doesn’t get enough light you’ll know because the modified leaves on the stocks won’t grow in and you’ll just get long pencil thick “fronds” that are pretty much only good for propagation as they look silly. Because I’m doing so well with this one I’m planning on getting a fern leaf cactus to sit on the other side of my son’s window. I think the two are both uniquely beautiful but they have some similarities. I’m going to pair them with probably my Hoya linearis if I want them to hang together in a tiered tight stack of macrame on one hook so that there’s two textures and some length later on. All three are non toxic so I can make them look really cool as one bunch together on a heavyweight hook with some elaborate macrame.
I asked this question on a article back in November but never saw a reply. Do you use a calendar or spreadsheet to keep track of all of your planting, garden maintenance, etc? I would love a whole episode where you show us how you keep track of everything throughout the year. Or, maybe just some recommendations on how to set up a calendar / spreadsheet so we stay on track across the seasons.
During the winter months, when you’re moving your plants from one location to another (studio to greenhouse, or studio to inside your home, for example), how do you keep them protected from the cold air? I bought a plant at the supermarket once and it was damaged by the time I got it to my car, so I’d love to know how to keep them safe.
For those of you who came her to comment about Laura cutting the bag open … Yes it was a zipper closure. Go to 7:15 in the article to see….it was a new bag and the seal below the zipper had nt been broken/open…so as many of you know that seal can be a real PIA to open. And since she was using the entire bag, cutting the zipper off was not an issue.
Thank you Laura. I very much appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us. I always look forward to your posts. Does the ric rac cactus flower like other epi’s? I live in Antigua in the West Indies which is the perfect climate. Going to try and find these. Happy Holidays to you and your family. Cordially, Lawrie
I have a few, I love them. The 2 biggest problems I’ve encountered is root rot and mealy bugs, and sometimes fungus. It is FAR better to underwater than over water them, and yes–definitely use a fast draining soil and a clay pot. That alcohol swabbing was not cutting it in my infestation, I had to make a neem/dish soap/baking soda solution to wipe them out, because you have to hit the soil, too. Those wretched things are so hard to catch in a large plant, too many places to hide. It took weeks of regular treatment.
Merry Christmas, Garden Answer family! I am in active search for one of these plants. I have just the spot in a south-facing window alongside my Thanksgiving cactus that always blooms in March, but that has buds forming now. They should get along just fine. Hope everyone is in the spirit. It will be 83 degrees here on Christmas 🥵 so doing whatever we can to maintain that Christmas mood. ~ Lisa
Hi Laura and Aaron. I remember you creating a article glazing saucers, in fact I think you used 4 or 5 types of glazes and then compared them to each other. It didn’t appear that the saucer you used for the Riic Rac was glazed. I know that if I have terracotta pots with unglazed saucers, it still ends up leaving rings on my furniture. So I put them on plastic plates until I can get the time to sit down, pull up your article, and get the recommended glaze to glaze my saucers. Are you not afraid the water will seep into the saucer and then to the furniture with the Rici Rac planter? Merry Christmas to you all!
Those are so awesome! I’m curious; how often do you fertilize your house plants? Do you stick to once a month all through the year or increase fertilizer application during the summer? Also do you fertilize (water soluble fertilizer) your outside plants during the winter months? Thank you again for all you guys do. We truly appreciate all the time you give us.♥️
Very pretty plant. 2 questions: 1) I’ve always been told that when you pot a plant you should give it room to grow and develop a root system, but really crowding pots seems to work for you, or is it just a short term situation and you repot them relatively soon? 2) What makes this a cactus? It seems to be a totally different plant species growing in a different environment with different care requirements.
love epis! so many varieties, and they are so unique.. and the blooms, if you’re lucky to have one long enough, are just the most beautiful blooms…. this inspires me to get some (i haven’t had them at this house because i have little shade) but i think i can hang a few inside my plumerias 🙂 fun fun! these are so beautiful!! what a fun article for a fun plant!! 🙂 ❤ thanks for the article!! 🙂 ❤
I live in South Africa. They love shade and I do grow them on the branches of my old plum tree. They flower only once a year and the flowers last a day or two. However they are so beautiful when they do flower. I have white, pink and apricot ones. They mustn’t get hailed on as the hail damages them making a wound which dries out and leaves a hole.
Merry Christmas! Love this cactus. Do your grow lights dry out your plants fairly quickly? I have the 3 Tier Sun garden from Gardeners and I find myself needing to water very often. The bulbs seem to heat up the soil very fast. The bulbs are labeled Sun Blaster and that is literally what they do. Blast the light! I remember you converted your bulbs to LED, did that make the light cooler? The cactus love this light but not some of my other plants.
My mom got me a zigzag cactus and a pseudorhipsalis for christmas last year. I made the mistake of not repotting them right away. They’re in crappy potting medium and the zigzag cactus is actually two clumps of cuttings, tied together with rubber bands 🙈 all the roots are rotting off where they’re cinched with the rubber band.
Quick FYI for Laura and Everyone here who loves Holly bushes- Holly is a great element for your holiday decorations but it does dry out quickly, so Laura leaves it out of projects, but… If you trim it and keep it in a water bucket outdoors or in an unheated garage and hit it with WiltStop, it stays green in watered floral arrangements. My bush curls the branches, so I place cardboard and some books over them to make them a little straighter overnight first . It’s 30° F out tonight and the Holly still looks freshly cut out of water in my outdoor garland. Maybe Holly needs some TLC to not dry out so quickly, but so far so good. I hope this helps.😊 Happy Holidays and thank you Laura, Aaron, Benjamin and Samantha Grace for inspiring my “prettiest” outdoor boughs, garlands and wreaths yet! 🎄🤗
Mine bloomed for the first time this October. I actually gave it a cool period in m6 garage for a few weeks last winter. And it’s in the garage again now. I read somewhere that having the dormant period would be good for blooms but I’m not sure how true that is because they are jungle cactus. I also have other jungle cactus. And all of mine were started from cuttings. I think they like being root bound. Also mine did ok in full afternoon sun in zone 7.
Hi! Mine is growing long and skinny. The original plant was very zig zag-y. Also each leaf/stem has long tan roots growing out everywhere. Is this normal? What condition will produce wider stems and lessen the stray roots? It sits on a lowers shelf in my south slider one pot towards the interor of the room. It is in a loose airy mix with chunks, pearlite and peat all in a terracotta pot.
I use the same kind of potting mix as you do for all my plants but I also find that it does not drain well after a few weeks. It’s frustrating! It takes like 30 sec or so before it starts seeping down thru the pot. I also add a bit if perlite to it. Could that be the reason it takes so long to drain?
How would I take care some stems? I have some that are over 2 feet tall but dont have the zig zag part except the last few inches, should i cut it? It almost looks like a branch lol Also, I have had that plant for 3 or 4 years now, doing super well but never bloom….keep thinking my pot is too big so its only concentrating on making new growth and not on flowering yet? Any feedback from anyone would be great…😊
I have this beautiful plant, it’s been growing little things on the ends, almost like little tiny cacti, I CnT find any info on this no matter how hard I look it up. Is this normal….????? Plz someone help … It does seem to be totally healthy. I do have a cacti beside it, not sure if this means anything.
You were making me a little nervous Laura, running your fingers up and down the stems. I have one and they have tiny, thin needles that can get stuck in the skin. It’s not painful, but noticeable when you have one stuck in the skin. I would just add, for the viewers to handle with care. And mine also has the little pups growing on them! I wondered if I could cut them and stick in the dirt to add to the growth in my pot?
Hi! 🐈 🐈Just watched the recap article where someone asked for tees for Russell and Cheddar on them. I thought the same thing when he was incessantly interrupting your wire vine article. 🤣 Anyway maybe just have a cat tail peeking out from under a boxwood or a silhouette of one with their head sniffing a plant. Enjoy your articles and the feline interruptions so much! 🎄❤️✨🐈🐈
I think we have very different experiences with what this cactus needs for light but it might be due to the difference between our environments. I live in the states (northern California) where it’s very warm and always bright. Mine gets a large amount of bright direct light. It always has pink tips as it grows and still has amazingly rapid growth. It gets thin fronds if it doesn’t get huge amounts of light. I noticed that it won’t produce the modified leaves don’t appear if it doesn’t get enough light. It just produces the equivalent of runners. Just long bits without the zigzag part. I also RARELY let it fully dry out save for in the winter, and even then only for a very short time. It loves high humidity and this is actually a climbing plant that sticks against trees to grow. Epiphytic cactus grow in a humid environment. Mine started out smaller than your beginning but I’ve had it for over a year. It’s so big I had to move it out of my son’s room. It took over half the window.
Really enjoy your detailed instructions for plants… I have never used Gold leaf fertilizer, but watch Houseplantygoodness on utube as well, and you both have great looking plants. Do you use 1/2 the recommended amount for this fertilizer as most people suggest for other fertilizers? Or what’s the amount suggested? Also, is there just one type for all indoor plants? How many applications of fertilizer can you get from a 500 ml bottle of Gold Leaf? Please do a article on verucossum philodendron.. TIA, GREETINGS FROM USA… P.S. How is your Sarawak hoya doing now?.it was huge when package was opened..has it grown a lot since?.I just purchased one, but it will be tiny compared to yours. Can you do update on it? ..