Overview

Introduce a touch of exotic elegance to your home with the stunning fishbone cactus live plant. Also known as the Zigzag Cactus or Ric Rac Cactus, this unique succulent, scientifically named Epiphyllum anguliger, is a true conversation starter. Native to Mexico, this tropical epiphytic cactus is celebrated for its distinctive, wavy, fishbone-like stems that cascade beautifully from hanging baskets. As a young starter plant, it offers the joy of watching it mature and develop its characteristic form. While the first photo may show a mature specimen, you’ll receive a healthy, well-rooted young plant ready to thrive in your care. This epiphyllum anguliger care is relatively simple, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts looking for an intriguing indoor plant.

The fishbone cactus live plant is not only visually captivating but also promises a delightful surprise: it produces large, fragrant white or cream-colored flowers that bloom spectacularly at night, typically in late summer to fall. This makes it a fascinating addition for anyone interested in night blooming cactus varieties. Its easy-to-grow nature and unique appearance make it ideal for enhancing indoor decor, adding a vibrant green accent to any room.

Key Benefits

Choosing a fishbone cactus live plant offers numerous advantages for your home and gardening experience. These benefits include:

• Unique Aesthetics: Its distinctive fishbone-like, zigzag stems provide an architectural and modern appeal, making it a focal point in any indoor plant collection or hanging basket. The unusual form of this zigzag cactus for sale adds visual interest unlike many other houseplants.
• Fragrant Night Blooms: Experience the magic of its large, beautiful white or cream-colored flowers that unfurl at night, releasing a delightful fragrance. This rare characteristic makes the night blooming cactus a truly special specimen.
• Easy to Grow: Despite its exotic appearance, the Epiphyllum anguliger is surprisingly low-maintenance, making it suitable for beginners. Following basic epiphyllum anguliger care guidelines ensures a happy, thriving plant.
• Versatile Decor: Perfect for hanging baskets where its wavy stems can trail gracefully, or as a unique potted plant on shelves and tabletops, enhancing any interior space.
• Air Purifying Qualities: Like many houseplants, the fishbone cactus live plant contributes to a healthier indoor environment by helping to filter airborne toxins and improve air quality.
• Collector’s Item: Its distinctive appearance and night-blooming habit make it a prized possession for houseplant collectors and enthusiasts of rare and unusual succulents.
• Long-Lived: With proper care, this resilient cactus can live for many years, becoming a long-term companion and a growing source of beauty in your home.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper epiphyllum anguliger care is essential for your fishbone cactus live plant to thrive and produce its magnificent night-blooming flowers. This tropical epiphytic cactus appreciates conditions similar to its native jungle habitat, meaning bright, indirect light and consistent moisture, but never soggy soil. Avoid harsh, direct afternoon sun, which can scorch its delicate stems. A spot near an east or north-facing window is often ideal, or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window with filtered light.

When it comes to watering, allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. During active growth periods (spring and summer), keep the soil slightly moist, reducing watering significantly in winter when the plant is dormant. Use a well-draining cactus or orchid mix, enriched with some organic matter, to ensure excellent drainage and prevent root rot. This plant thrives in warm, humid environments, ideally in USDA zones 10–11 if grown outdoors, but it is primarily cultivated as an ric rac cactus indoor plant in cooler climates. Fertilize every 4–6 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer to support healthy growth and encourage blooming. The spectacular blooming cycle of this night blooming cactus usually occurs in late summer to fall, bringing a delightful fragrance to your evenings. Propagation is also quite easy; simply take stem cuttings, allow them to callus for a few days, and then plant them in moist soil.

Size & Details

This offering is for a healthy young fishbone cactus live plant, presented in a 4 inch nursery pot. While the plant you receive is a starter, it is well-rooted and ready to grow into a magnificent specimen with proper care. These plants typically grow to have long, trailing stems, making them perfect for hanging baskets where they can reach lengths of several feet over time. The unique zigzag stems are already developing their characteristic shape. Expect your plant to mature and potentially bloom within a few years, rewarding your patience with its stunning night flowers. It’s shipped in its nursery pot, ensuring a smooth transition to your home. The growth rate is moderate, allowing you to enjoy every stage of its development from a compact starter to a sprawling, mature beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The fishbone cactus live plant is a trailing variety, and its stems can grow several feet long when mature, making it excellent for hanging baskets. The plant you receive is a young starter, so it will need time to reach its full size.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: Each fishbone cactus live plant is carefully grown and shipped in a 4 inch nursery pot, providing a good foundation for its continued growth in your home.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While it can be grown outdoors in warm, humid climates (USDA zones 10–11), the fishbone cactus live plant is primarily enjoyed as an indoor houseplant in most regions due to its tropical nature.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant thrives in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct, harsh afternoon sun, which can damage its stems. Morning sun is generally acceptable.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the epiphyllum anguliger care requirements are considered easy to moderate, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts. It’s a forgiving plant that tolerates some neglect.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your zigzag cactus for sale will arrive as a healthy, well-rooted young starter plant. We package carefully to minimize stress during transit, though minor leaf adjustments are normal.
• Q: When does the fishbone cactus bloom? A: The night blooming cactus typically produces its fragrant white flowers in late summer to fall, blooming at night and closing by morning. It may take a few years for a young plant to reach blooming maturity.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for a fishbone cactus? A: A well-draining soil mix is crucial. A blend specifically designed for cacti or orchids, enriched with organic matter, is highly recommended for optimal health.
• Q: Can I propagate this plant easily? A: Yes, the fishbone cactus live plant is very easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Simply allow the cut end to callus for a few days before planting it in moist, well-draining soil.
• Q: Is the Ric Rac Cactus pet-safe? A: The Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger) is generally considered non-toxic to pets, making it a safe choice for homes with animals.