Jungle cactus explainer

Nearly all the jungle cactus plants are excellent choices as houseplants due to their relatively low maintenance requirements and attractive appearance. In the wild, all of them are epiphytic – growing on trees.

There are many available for growing at home, and sometimes they are inconsistently labelled. Here is a Jungle Cactus Explainer to help you tell the difference.

Epiphyllum:

• Stem: broad, flat, leaf-like; notched, slightly scalloped edges

• Habit: more upright with a branching or sprawling manner

• Flowers: large, colourful flowers from the edge of the stem

Disocactus

• Stem: fleshy, flat to 1m long, branching, woody at the base, edges deeply scalloped

• Habit: upright to start with then hanging down when longer

• Flowers:  large, colourful flowers opening during the day from the edge of the stem; bright red, orange, slightly reddish pinkish-orange, light yellow or white.

Schlumbergera

• Stem: flattened in segments with pointed teeth

• Habit: branching or sprawling from a central stem

• Flowers: at the joints and tips of the stems, may have wool and bristles

Rhipsalis:

• Stems: long, cylindrical, or flattened, resembling thin, elongated leaves

• Habit: branching, trailing and hanging down

• Flowers: small, inconspicuous white or pale flowers from the edge of the stem

Hatiora:

• Stem: circular, segmented stems; spines are usually missing

• Habit: mostly upright and becoming woody at the base when older

• Flowers: small, yellow, yellow-orange or pink, at the end of the stem

Please note: Rhipsalis & Hatiora are often mixed up. The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is to look for the location of the flower.

Rhipsalis produces flowers from the edge of the stem.

Hatiora produces flowers at the end of the stem.