Lepismium cruciforme 'Rojo'

Origin of Lepismium cruciforme 'Rojo'

Lepismium cruciforme occurs naturally from Brazil through Paraguay and Uruguay to northeastern Argentina. It grows on trees and rocks in tropical and subtropical forest habitats.

The species naturally varies in stem shape and colour. ‘Rojo’ is a horticultural name used for a cultivated form selected for strong red colouring.

Care for Lepismium cruciforme 'Rojo'

Grow this forest cactus in dappled shade or bright filtered light with a loose organic mix that drains quickly and moderate humidity. A hanging pot or elevated container gives the long stems room to arch and trail.

• Watering: Water thoroughly during growth, then let the mix lose some moisture before watering again. Wait longer between waterings when growth slows or temperatures fall.
• Potting mix: Use an airy mix with bark, coir and mineral material for drainage.
• Temperature: Keep temperatures around 15–25 °C. Avoid prolonged temperatures below 10 °C. Keep it warm and frost-free while it is growing.
• Humidity and airflow: Aim for 50–60% humidity. Maintain moderate humidity with gentle air movement around the stems.
• Feeding: Apply dilute fertiliser occasionally while new stem growth is forming.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the container or the mix becomes compacted or drains more slowly. Keep the stem base at the same depth.
• Propagation: For cuttings, let the cut ends dry and form a callus before placing them in a loose, lightly moist mix. The species can also be grown from seed.

Common issues with Lepismium cruciforme 'Rojo'

• Tissue near the base becomes soft, translucent or dark: A dense, wet mix may have started rot. Cut away all affected tissue with a clean tool until only firm healthy growth remains and discard the rotten material. Let the cut end form a callus before rooting the healthy section in fresh airy mix.
• Stem segments become wrinkled and limp: Dry mix can leave the plant short of water, while damaged roots can stop it taking water up. Check the roots and mix first. If the roots are firm and the mix is dry, water thoroughly. If roots are soft, dark or rotten, remove all rotten tissue with a clean tool, discard the rotten material and root the healthy section again in fresh airy mix.
• Exposed stems develop pale tan patches: A sudden increase in direct sun or heat has scorched the surface. Move the plant into filtered light and return it to brighter light gradually.

Keep Lepismium cruciforme ‘Rojo’ away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

Why is it called Lepismium cruciforme?

Lepismium comes from Greek lepis, “scale”, referring to the small scale-like structures around the areoles, the specialised growth points on cactus stems. Cruciforme combines Latin crux or crucis, “cross”, with forma, “form”.

Louis Karl Georg Pfeiffer established the genus Lepismium in 1835 in Allgemeine Gartenzeitung, volume 3, page 315.

José Mariano da Conceição Vellozo first described it as Cactus cruciformis in 1829 in Flora Fluminensis, page 207. Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel later placed it in Lepismium as Lepismium cruciforme in 1838 in Bulletin des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles en Néerlande, volume 1, page 49.