Lepismium cruciforme 'Rojo'

Brazilian to Uruguayan forest habitat

Lepismium cruciforme is native from Brazil into northeastern Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The cactus lives on trees or rocks in seasonally dry tropical and subtropical forest, rooting into bark, humus pockets or rock fissures. ‘Rojo’ is the cultivated form with stronger red colouring.

Moisture balance for an epiphytic cactus

Use an airy epiphytic-cactus mix with coarse bark and mineral material. During active growth, water thoroughly and let the mix partly dry without leaving the fine roots dry for long. In cool dim periods, wait longer between waterings, but do not let the roots remain completely dry for an extended period.

Provide bright filtered light. Gentle sun may deepen the plant’s burgundy pigment after acclimation, while abrupt hot midday sun through glass can cause permanent damage. Keep conditions frost-free, with moderate humidity and airflow, and use a hanging container or mount as the stems lengthen.

Feed with a dilute balanced fertiliser. For propagation, take a healthy stem segment, let the cut end dry, then place it in a lightly moist rooting medium.

Burgundy colour versus scorch and rot

• Firm burgundy stems are normal pigmentation. Bleached tan or crisp patches on exposed surfaces indicate sun or heat scorch.
• Green elongated segments with weak growth usually point to insufficient light. Increase light gradually without exposing the plant to harsh midday sun.
• Shrivelled stems can result from drought or from roots that no longer function. Inspect the roots and substrate before watering automatically.
• A soft translucent base or segment indicates rot associated with cold, stagnant or persistently wet conditions. Remove affected tissue and improve drainage.

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.