Rhipsalis pacheco-leonis - Mistletoe Cactus

Rhipsalis pacheco-leonis, known as the Mistletoe Cactus, is a Brazilian species native to the Atlantic Forest, where it inhabits humid, shaded environments. It grows attached to trees or occasionally on rocky outcrops, benefiting from filtered canopy light and consistent atmospheric moisture.

The stems are slender, cylindrical to slightly three-angled, with smooth green surfaces and small areoles spaced along their length. Branching is often irregular, forming long, trailing growth that can create dense curtains over time. The plant’s flexible stems allow it to adapt to the contours of its host surface.

Flowers are small and typically white, borne along the stem sides, and are followed by rounded, translucent white berries. These fruits are eaten by birds, aiding in seed dispersal throughout the forest ecosystem.

Care Tips:

• Light: Provide bright, indirect light; protect from harsh direct sunlight.
• Water: Keep the media evenly moist in the growing season, allowing the surface to dry slightly between waterings; reduce watering in winter.
• Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity; occasional misting is beneficial in dry air.
• Media: Use a free-draining mix incorporating fine orchid bark, peat or coir, and perlite.
• Temperature: Best grown between 15–27°C; avoid frost.
• Fertiliser: Feed with a diluted, balanced fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during active growth.
• Repotting: Repot every 2–3 years or when root-bound, preferably in spring.