Mistletoe cactus Rhipsalis baccifera
Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Cactaceae family, native to Tropical America, tropical Africa, Madagascar and Sri Lanka, hanging from rainforest trees. It grows 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 7 °C (45 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Mistletoe cactus in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Mistletoe cactus at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 7 °C (45 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–156 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tropical America, tropical Africa, Madagascar and Sri Lanka, hanging from rainforest trees |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Mistletoe cactus toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA lists Rhipsalis as non-toxic).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Mistletoe cactus
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
Questions about Mistletoe cactus
- How far apart should I plant Mistletoe cactus?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Mistletoe cactus need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mistletoe cactus need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mistletoe cactus?
- It tolerates about 7 °C (45 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Mistletoe cactus flower?
- About 104–156 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Mistletoe cactus poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA lists Rhipsalis as non-toxic).
- What grows well with Mistletoe cactus?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mistletoe cactus. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- In frosty climates it is a classic pot plant for a bright windowsill, put outside in summer.
- Cascading tangles of pencil-thin, spineless green stems with tiny cream flowers and white, mistletoe-like berries. The only cactus that grows wild outside the Americas, probably carried to Africa and Asia by migrating birds.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Prickly pear (nopal) Opuntia ficus-indica
- Golden barrel cactus Echinocactus grusonii
- Saguaro Carnegiea gigantea
- Fishhook barrel cactus Ferocactus wislizeni
- Teddy-bear cholla Cylindropuntia bigelovii
- Engelmann's prickly pear Opuntia engelmannii
- Organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi
- Mexican giant cardón Pachycereus pringlei