Rhipsalis cereuscula 'Cashero'

Origin, range and background

Rhipsalis cereuscula is native from Bolivia across Brazil to Paraguay, Uruguay and north-eastern Argentina. It grows on trees in seasonal to humid forest, including Atlantic Forest, gallery forest and other wooded habitats across this broad southern range.

‘Cashero’ is a nursery name used for plants associated with R. cereuscula. It does not mark a separate botanical variety or a known wild form.

Growing a trailing epiphyte indoors

Light: Rhipsalis ‘Cashero’ plants grow most compactly in bright, filtered light or mild sun after acclimatisation. Low light lengthens the main stems and loosens the short terminal clusters, while hot direct sun can yellow or scorch the fine branchlets.

Roots and substrate: Use a coarse mixture with bark, mineral particles and an organic component that holds some moisture. During active growth, wet the full root ball and wait until part of it has dried before watering again.

Feeding and propagation: Apply dilute, low-nitrogen fertiliser while the plant is growing. The removed section can be rooted after its fresh wound has dried briefly.

Problems and how to solve them

Low light lengthens the main stems and spaces the short side branches farther apart, making the plant look less compact. This is a growth pattern, not a disease. Move it gradually to brighter filtered light and trim only after firm new clusters develop. Existing stretched sections will not shorten, but they can be used as healthy cuttings if their joints are sound.

Shrivel above a dry mix indicates water shortage; shrivel above wet, sour substrate points to root failure. Yellow translucent bases and soft joints are signs of saturation or cold damage. Remove decay back to firm tissue, let cuts dry briefly and restart healthy sections in an airy medium. Do not keep unrooted pieces continuously wet.

Mealybugs and scale settle between the dense short branchlets and may be missed until growth weakens or sticky residue appears. Inspect inner clusters and stem joints with good light. When inspection confirms an infestation, keep the plant away from other foliage. Remove the insects you can see, then follow the directions for a cactus-safe treatment. Ensure the dense tufts dry normally after treatment, since trapped moisture can create a second problem.

Keep Rhipsalis cereuscula ‘Cashero’ 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.

When was Rhipsalis cereuscula first published, and what does it mean?

Rhipsalis comes from Greek rhips, wickerwork or basket weave. The epithet cereuscula is a Latin diminutive of Cereus, meaning little Cereus or a small candle-like cactus, fitting the short, narrow branchlets.

Joseph Gaertner established the genus Rhipsalis in 1788 in De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum, volume 1, page 137.

Adrian Hardy Haworth first described Rhipsalis cereuscula in 1830 in Philosophical Magazine and Annals of Philosophy, new series, volume 7, page 112.