Lepismium houlletianum

Information

Care and Charm of the Snowdrop Cactus

This one grows those lovely flat cladodes (the segments are actually modified stems!), and they have a fantastic tendency to hang nicely, making them an absolute dream for a hanging basket.

Come spring, you'll be rewarded with one of their greatest charms: small, delightful white, snowdrop-like flowers that dangle beautifully along the edges of the cladodes.   This is what truly gives the plant its special common name.

Just like its jungle relatives, Lepismium houlletianum prefers a bit of shade (direct midday sun is a no-go!) and needs regular watering to keep it happy, mimicking those humid, rainy forest conditions.   The best part? 

 It's genuinely easy to grow and perfect for both seasoned plant parents and those just starting out.

Forget the word 'Cactus' when you think of these beauties!   While they are technically part of the wider Cactus family, they couldn't be further from the desert types you might imagine.   These unique plants don't grow in arid deserts and certainly don't have the sharp spikes of their distant cousins.

Instead, Rhipsalis are native to the steamy, humid Rain Forest environments of Central and South America.   They thrive in dappled light, high humidity, and conditions that feel decidedly tropical.   Their trailing, segmented stems create an amazing cascade of green, making them perfect for hanging baskets or shelf displays.   They're an absolute joy to care for and a fantastic choice for any plant lover looking for something a bit different and very low maintenance!

There are so many different types of Rhipsalis—I myself would have over 10 varieties of these!   If you want to know which other Rhipsalis I have, please enquire.