Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t need more. Make sure to back off of watering the plant in the winter when it goes dormant. Aerial roots can sprout as a way to take in more moisture from the air around the plant. If you notice your rat tail cactus sprouting aerial roots from its stems, this could suggest that your plant isn’t getting enough water. The soil likes to be kept evenly moist, but you don’t want to risk overwatering it. I recommend letting the top half of the soil dry out before watering the rat tail cactus again. This doesn’t mean you should neglect it, but it does mean that it probably won’t be too mad at you if you occasionally do. How often should I water my rat tail cactus?Īs with other types of cacti, rat tail cactus stores water in its stems and can survive long periods of neglect and drought. This mimics the dry, arid soils of the environment the rat tail cactus is found in. Whatever you choose, make sure it is well-draining. You can also make your own succulent mix like I often do. These soils are pre-mixed to include additives like sand and perlite. Soil needsĪny soil mix labeled as “succulent” or “cactus” will work fine. Because it enjoys direct sun, rat tail cactus enjoys summering outside in the long, bright days. It will also tolerate bright indirect light, but it probably won’t grow as prolifically. Don’t be worried about scorching or burning this plant. Rat tail cactus likes plenty of direct bright light. One of the reasons I don’t do too many cacti and succulents is because I just don’t have much space to accommodate their lighting needs. It can be found growing in the wild in dry forests in Mexico, often even growing in rock crevices or up along trees. Interestingly, according to Wikipedia, rat tail cactus was one of the first cacti to be introduced to Europeans in the 1600s. Especially near the base of the plant as it matures. The plant is green, but older growth can eventually turn a faded gray shade. The stems are very prickly, covered entirely in sharp spines. They branch out at the plant’s base, allowing them to create a “waterfall-like” effect spilling over the pot’s sides. The stems can grow up to several feet long on a happy, established plant. The much easier to remember “rat tail cactus” name comes from the plant’s long, thin stems. However, it has since been reclassified.) (It is also known by an older name, disocactus flagelliformis. Flagelliformis is the most cultivated species in the aporocactus genus. So its scientific name is aporocactus flagelliformis. The rat tail cactus is from the aporocactus genus, flagelliformis species. What is a rat tail cactus, aka aporocactus flagelliformis? Plus the flowers on this trailing cactus are awesome. We had one of these growing up, so it definitely brings back good memories for me. But they are so easy! So I can definitely be tempted to grab the cool-looking ones.Īnd the rat tail cactus is definitely one of those. Not long ago I posted a boobie cactus care guide and mentioned that I am not a huge succulent and cactus collector. Rat tail cactus care is similar to pretty much all other types of cactus–it’s easy! Learn how to take care of this unique trailing cactus, including how to see its gorgeous blooms! How do you take care of a rat tail cactus?
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