{"product_id":"rhipsalis-excelsa-jungle-cactus-mistletoe-cactus","title":"Rhipsalis excelsa (Jungle Cactus \/ Mistletoe Cactus)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdd an intriguing, architectural element to your indoor plant collection with \u003ci\u003eRhipsalis excelsa\u003c\/i\u003e, a unique epiphytic cactus often referred to as a Jungle Cactus or Mistletoe Cactus. Unlike its desert cousins, this Rhipsalis thrives in the filtered light and humid conditions of tropical rainforests. It features fascinating, cylindrical to slightly flattened, cascading stems that can grow quite long, creating a lush, pendulous display. Small, delicate, often whitish or yellowish flowers may appear along the stems, followed by tiny, berry-like fruits, adding to its whimsical charm. Perfect for hanging baskets or trailing gracefully from shelves, 'excelsa' offers a distinct texture and an effortless, wild elegance.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant Placement Area:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBright, indirect light:\u003c\/b\u003e Mimics its natural habitat in the understory of rainforest trees. Place it near a window (east or north-facing is ideal) where it receives bright, diffused light. Direct, harsh afternoon sun can scorch its delicate stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWarm and stable environment:\u003c\/b\u003e Prefers average room temperatures between 18-27°C (65-80°F). Protect from cold drafts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHigh humidity:\u003c\/b\u003e While adaptable, it truly thrives with higher humidity levels (50% or more). Bathrooms or kitchens can be good spots, or consider regular misting, a pebble tray, or a humidifier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHanging baskets or elevated shelves:\u003c\/b\u003e Its trailing habit makes it perfect for showcasing its long, pendulous stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUnique cascading form:\u003c\/b\u003e Creates a striking visual effect, adding texture and a sense of movement to your space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEasy care (for a cactus):\u003c\/b\u003e More forgiving than desert cacti in terms of light and humidity, and relatively low-maintenance once its specific needs are understood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDistinctive appearance:\u003c\/b\u003e Its segmented, often jointed stems offer an unusual and appealing aesthetic that stands out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEpiphytic nature:\u003c\/b\u003e A fascinating plant for those interested in diverse botanical forms, as it naturally grows on other plants in its native environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWatering Tips:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKeep consistently moist but not soggy:\u003c\/b\u003e Unlike desert cacti, Rhipsalis does not like to dry out completely for long periods. Water thoroughly when the top inch or two of the soil feels dry to the touch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnsure excellent drainage:\u003c\/b\u003e Crucial to prevent root rot. Use a pot with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReduce watering in winter:\u003c\/b\u003e During cooler, shorter days, growth slows, and the plant requires less frequent watering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoft water preferred:\u003c\/b\u003e If your tap water is very hard, using filtered or rainwater can be beneficial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare Tips:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLight, airy, well-draining soil:\u003c\/b\u003e Use a potting mix specifically designed for orchids or succulents, or create your own mix with equal parts good quality potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark. This mimics the well-aerated, fast-draining conditions it would find in tree crevices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFertilize sparingly:\u003c\/b\u003e Feed with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the spring and summer growing season. Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNo strong sun:\u003c\/b\u003e Direct afternoon sun can cause stems to yellow or turn reddish and become stressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePruning (optional):\u003c\/b\u003e Generally, no heavy pruning is required. You can trim back overly long or leggy stems to maintain shape or to propagate new plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRepot sparingly:\u003c\/b\u003e Rhipsalis prefer to be somewhat root-bound. Repot only when necessary (roots filling the pot or growing out of drainage holes), typically every 2-3 years, into a pot only slightly larger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMonitor for pests:\u003c\/b\u003e Generally pest-resistant, but keep an eye out for common houseplant pests like mealybugs or spider mites, especially if humidity is too low.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLight Level:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBright Indirect Light:\u003c\/b\u003e Ideal for robust growth and potential flowering. Mimics the dappled light of its rainforest understory habitat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTolerates Medium Light:\u003c\/b\u003e Can survive in lower light conditions, but growth will be slower, and it's less likely to flower.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAvoid Direct Sun:\u003c\/b\u003e Especially harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the delicate stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eToxicity:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNon-toxic:\u003c\/b\u003e Rhipsalis species are generally considered non-toxic to humans and pets, making them a safe choice for households with children and animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMetafields for Rhipsalis excelsa\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant Characteristics:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eValue:\u003c\/b\u003e Epiphytic Cactus, Trailing Stems, Succulent, Unique Form, Low Maintenance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eClass:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eValue:\u003c\/b\u003e Houseplant, Jungle Cactus, Hanging Plant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSuitable Space:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eValue:\u003c\/b\u003e Hanging Basket, Elevated Shelf, Bright Bathroom, Kitchen, Living Room\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eValue:\u003c\/b\u003e Bright Indirect Light, Tolerates Medium Light\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTag:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eValue:\u003c\/b\u003e Easy Care, Unique, Indoor Plant, Tropical, Cascading, Succulent, Pet Safe (Generally)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Naz Plant \u0026 Flowers","offers":[{"title":"25Ø 60cm","offer_id":55926759424378,"sku":null,"price":62.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0648\/7729\/7827\/files\/Untitleddesign_1_6da47aee-4804-4311-99cc-95265d6a3159.png?v=1752412741","url":"https:\/\/nazplantandflowers.mom\/products\/rhipsalis-excelsa-jungle-cactus-mistletoe-cactus","provider":"Naz Plant \u0026 Flowers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}