Don’t have enough sun for desert cacti?
This cactus thrives in lower light!
The Spruce / Cori Sears
The fishbone cactusisnt your average cactus.
The Spruce / Cori Sears
This tropical,epiphytic plantis perfect for those who dont have the right conditions to help adesert cactusthrive.
A fishbone cactus does well in less sunlight and flourishes in humid conditions.
Read on for our fishbone cactus care guide.
The Spruce / Cori Sears
When grown indoors, a location that receives several hours of bright indirect light is perfect for this plant.
Water
In contrast to desert cacti, the fishbone cactus appreciates regular watering.
Water your cactus once the top 2 to 3 inches of soil has dried.
It is important to avoid watering your fishbone cactus with cold water because it can shock the roots.
Temperature and Humidity
Native to tropical environments, the fishbone cactus thrives in warm,humidconditions.
Keep temperatures between 60F to 78F and humidity above 60%.
Fertilizer
Your fishbone cactus should befertilizedonce in the early spring with a liquid cactus/succulent fertilizer.
Propagate the cuttings taken during trimming to create new plants.
How to Propagate Fishbone Cactus
Fishbone cacti can be propagated usingstem cuttings.
Propagating your fishbone cactus is a great way to create new plants.
Avoid propagating your fishbone cactus during the fall or winter months as it enters its dormant period.
Instead, propagation should be done in the spring and summer months.
Common pests includemealybugs,fungus gnats, andaphids.
Typical diseases affecting fishbone cactus includeroot rotand fungal leaf spots.
The plant flowers at night and each bloom lasts a day or two.
What Do Fishbone Cactus Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The plant’s flowers have a heady sweet scent.
During the late spring, resume regular care.
Fertilizing a fishbone cactus with a high-potassiumtomatofertilizer in the summer might promote blooming later in the season.
Keep trying if these measures dont result in any blooms.
The most common problems with these cacti normally arise from improper watering or light conditions.
Try moving your fishbone cactus closer to the window.
This is more common in outdoor plants but it can also occur on indoor plants.
While the leaf scarring is unsightly, it will not kill your plant.
Cut off affected areas to prevent the fungus from spreading.
Wrinkled Leaves
Wrinkled leaves indicate that your fishbone cactus needs more water.
Fishbone cactus roots growing above the soil are normal aerial roots.
Brown, mushy stems are likely from root rot because of overwatering.
The fishbone cactus is a medium grower.
It grows faster than most desert cacti but slower than other tropical plants, such aspothosorphilodendron.
When cared for properly, you will see noticeable growth on your fishbone cactus throughout each growing season.
The best place outdoors for a fishbone cactus is an area with full morning sun and mostly afternoon shade.
