skip to main content

Cacti & Succulents

What Kind of Cactus Do I Have?

country_bumpkin_al

14 years ago

I bought it at Walmart tonight, hoping to find out what it is and how to take care of it. So far, it's been suggested that it's a "Pencil Cactus" or a "Mistletoe Cactus". I'm thinking it looks more like the Mistletoe Cactus pictures I found doing a search.

{{gwi:748323}}
{{gwi:748325}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Jack Reynolds
14 years ago
It is not a "pencil cactus" (Euphorbia tirucalli). It is some member of the Cactaceae alright judging from the small spines I can make out. The branching pattern looks like Erythrorhipsalis pilocarpa. According to Glass and Innes, it is an epiphyte from Brazil. It has yellow- white flowers which are fragrant and diurnal. It does well in hanging baskets and likes normal cactus mix and partial shade. It is not frost tollerant
tjicken
14 years ago
Looks like some kind of Rhipsalis, but not pilocarpa, which is darker and have tufts of white hair. The segments with spines look juvenile, but there are some adult pieces that resemble R. teres or baccifera. Or something similar, this type of Rhipsalis are hard to identify, and I am not an expert on them.
Related Discussions
What kind of cactus do i have?
Q
Comments (3)
Hm, well it has 4 long curved spines and a bunch of smaller radial straight spines on each "point" it resembles a durian fruit if it didn't have the spines on it. p.s.... why can't ikea just label their plants with at least the common name, if not the genus species >.>
...See More
What kind of cactus do I have?
Q
Comments (4)
Not a cactus looks like a bromeliad:) Yours is beautiful btw I don't usually see this type in stores.
...See More
What all Cactus actually do I have?
Q
Comments (47)
Yep:). Like I said mine totally rotted this winter. It wasn't very big, but still one of my favs. The spines were huge. So I had to get another. If you guys change your mind let me know. It's super cheap and easy to send little plants through the mail. I've done it before with people on here. It's good plant karma.
...See More
What kind of cactus do I have?
Q
Comments (13)
I definitely wouldn’t mist the cactus. I personally would take all the extra stuff that’s in the pot with the cactus out. Along with keeping this cactus dry till spring or at least till is warms up a bit. This is considering you‘re on the northern hemisphere. Put it next to a window and leave it alone. If you feel the need to water, once a month is enough during the winter. Make sure the water drains because I’m not sure what the cactus is planted in has drainage holes. Holes at the bottom of pots make succulent growing much easier;). Once spring comes it would be a good idea to change the soil to a mix that has been amended with perlite and or pumice. You can begin to water more and acclimate to stronger sun when the growing season is here. If you live on the Southern hemisphere you can do this now. Good luck:)!
...See More
beachplant
14 years ago
It's a rhipsalis, when I get home I'll see if I can find the name of this one. Angel exotics delivers them to Walmart so you can also check their website for the name. This one is a heavy bloomer for me in the spring and currently still has a lot of tiny fruits on it. I'm addicted to rhips.

Morning sun is OK but protect from the mid-day afternoon sun. Keep on the dry side. Propogate from cuttings or seeds. You can divide this one up if you want, AE sticks a bunch of cuttings in one pot to make them full. Mine have a SE position in the yard with shade in mid-day, they will grow in more sun but seem happier with a little shade. They grow along with my hoyas.
Tally Ho!

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Creative Ideas for Cactus and Succulent Gardens

By Laura Gaskill

Arrange cactuses and succulents amid salvaged treasures, against a vibrant painted wall or in terraced beds

LANDSCAPE DESIGN What Kind of Gardener Are You? Find Your Archetype

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Pick from our descriptions to create a garden that matches your personality and tells your story

LIFE The Polite House: How Can I Kindly Get Party Guests to Use Coasters?

Here’s how to handle the age-old entertaining conundrum to protect your furniture — and friendships

HOUSEPLANTS Great Houseplant: Holiday-Blooming Cactus

By J. Peterson Garden Design

You may know it as Christmas cactus, but whichever holiday floats your boat, this plant is a year-round beauty

SOUTHWEST GARDENING Tall Cactuses Bring Drama to Southwestern Gardens

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

See how 5 columnar cactuses add a striking design element to warm-weather gardens, courtyards and entries

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Unusual Totem Pole Cactus Is a Standout in Southwest Gardens

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

This thornless cactus makes a statement in the ground or in a container in mild-winter climates

CONTAINER GARDENS Cactus and Succulent Containers Are Ideal for Hot, Sunny Spots

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Bring on the sun with these heat-loving succulent container gardens

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Cactuses Bring Spring Flowers to Dry Gardens

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

These prickly desert plants transform in spring with the arrival of their colorful blossoms

ACCESSORIES Collective Wisdom: Display Ideas for Collections of All Kinds

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Show your interests without exposing clutter by going for artful arrangements with a unified feel

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Contemporary Lighting for All Kinds of Needs

Task lamps, floor lamps, pendants ... Whether you’re reading in bed or want a glow overhead, there’s a light here for you

Sponsored

A.I.S. Renovations Ltd.

15 Reviews

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County

More Discussions

Why are there brown blotches on my Euphorbia anoplia

0

Free plants or cuttings

5

Can I trim this plant?

1

21 year old Jade Plant 4ft tall Pruning Repotting Questions Concerns

3

Euphorbia disease advice?

3