Ric Rac or Zig Zag Cactus (Selenicereus anthonyanus)

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Plant Details

Category: Houseplants

Light: Bright Light

Bloom Season: Summer

Height: 8-12" /

20-30cm

Space: 12-24" /

30-61cm

Zones: 10, 11

Lowest Temp: 40° to 50°F /

4° to 10°C

Colors: Purple

Basic Care

Water thoroughly but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once every month through the growing season.

Water

Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings.

Soil

Orchid bark mix.

Feed

Monthly with balanced liquid fertilizer (quarter strength) during active growth.

Ric Rac or Zig Zag Cactus detailed care guide →

Cascading

Heat Tolerant

Ornamental Foliage

Sun Loving

Containers

Hanging Baskets

Features

Ric rac cactus is an easy to grow, epiphytic plant native to the humid rainforests of Southern Mexico. The plant produces long, 2-3’ (.6-.9m), zig-zag shaped, flat foliage that resembles the decorative sewing trim known as ric rac (rick rack). Mature plants produce fragrant flowers with purple petals and creamy white inner bracts. The blooms are big, from 5-6” (12-15cm) in diameter, but they last just one day. This is a night blooming cactus with flowers that open in late afternoon or evening and close by morning.

It’s always best to refer to a plant’s botanical classification for proper identification. The ric rac cactus was previously classified as the genus and species, Cryptocereus anthonyanus. Its common names include “ric rac”, “zig zag”, and “fishbone” cactus. Those are the same common names used for another plant with similar foliage; Disocactus anguliger (previously known as Epiphyllum anguliger). The overlapping use of the same common names is a source of great confusion when it comes to plant identification.

Uses

Looks great grown in containers and hanging baskets. Perfect for growing on a lightly shaded deck, patio, or porch during warm weather. Ric rac cactus can be grown outdoors in the summer and brought back inside when temperatures are expected to fall below 50°F (10°C). Can be grown outdoors year-round in frost-free climates, in a pot or in the ground.

Ric Rac or Zig Zag Cactus (Selenicereus anthonyanus) Care Guide

If the plant was purchased in a pot, then it is probably already in a quality potting mix and requires little more than watering and grooming. Epiphytes rarely need to be repotted.

Epiphytes grow on other plants. They can be grown in a light, well-drained mix of bark, composted peat and perlite, or, rather than growing in a pot, epiphytes’ roots can be wrapped in sphagnum moss and the entire plant can then be mounted onto wood or other surfaces.

When repotting, start with a good quality, sterile bark mix. Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.

Prepare the container by filling with potting mix up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. Once potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give the plant a good start.

Epiphytes prefer the bark mix to dry in between thorough watering. Check the bark mix moisture with your finger. If the top inch (3 cm) of bark is dry, it’s time to water. Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the plant. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet. Discard any excess water that has accumulated in the pot’s saucer.

Epiphytes that are not potted in a container should be misted well at least three times a week, more often if the air is dry. Mist all the foliage so that the water can absorb through the leaves. The plant can also be submerged in water for two to three minutes, once a week for a more thorough watering.

Most epiphytes require little or no pruning. Cascading forms can be trimmed back to maintain a preferred size. To prune, choose a point along the stem where the leaves branch. Cut just above this point so the buds for new growth aren’t removed.

Some plants will re-bloom on their own, but others may have very specific day-length or temperature requirements to flower again. A bit of research may be necessary to determine what is needed to encourage future blooming.

Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic.

Liquid fertilizer is the best for plants that aren’t potted in a container. These types of epiphytes absorb the plant food through the leaves. Select a product with a nutritional balance of 20-20-20 and dilute it to a quarter the recommended strength.

Slow-release fertilizer is the best for potted epiphytes. Select a product with a nutritional balance of 20-20-20 and lightly sprinkle the plant food at the base of the plant.

Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.

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