Rhipsalis trigona

Warm forests of southern Brazil

Rhipsalis trigona is native from southeastern São Paulo to Santa Catarina in Brazil, where it grows as an epiphyte in seasonally dry tropical forest.

Its habitat is warm and humid during the main growing season. It also has drier intervals, filtered canopy light and constant air around the roots. The three-angled branches store water between rains. Indoors, use a loose potting mix and let it dry slightly between waterings.

Plant care for Rhipsalis trigona

Filtered light for twisted angled stems

Give strong filtered light and a little soft sun. Strong midday exposure can bleach the raised angles. Low light produces weaker, less compact joints.

Dry the upper mix before rewatering

Water deeply after the upper layer has dried and let surplus escape. Its seasonally dry forest habitat supports a distinct pause between waterings and a longer dry interval during slow growth.

A stable hanging pot with an open mix

Use a free-draining container with a loose blend of bark, pumice and a little potting compost. Keep major branches clear of narrow pot edges because the stout joints become heavier after watering.

Warm active growth with a drier slowdown

Protect from cold draughts and maintain moderate humidity with air movement. Feed lightly as new joints form. Cut back on watering and fertiliser when growth slows.

Support heavy lower joints

Keep the hanger level and reposition young stems before they harden. A sharp bend at the rim can permanently crease an older segment.

When Rhipsalis trigona shows signs of stress

New angled segments grow thin and weak

Check light and root condition. Deep shade stretches the three-angled growth. Failing roots can produce similarly weak segments despite adequate light.

A stout joint softens near the base

Dark translucent tissue indicates decay from a wet, cold or poorly aerated root zone. Remove the affected section and replace stagnant mix before the rot reaches adjoining joints.

The firm joints become deeply wrinkled

Lift the pot and inspect the mix. Soak a dry root ball thoroughly. If the compost is wet and the stems keep shrivelling, clean the damaged roots and repot in fresh mix.

An older joint creases over the hanger

The heavy angular stems can fold where they rest on a narrow edge. Broaden the support and reposition young flexible growth before it hardens.

Scale or mealybugs collect along the angles

Inspect the raised ribs, areoles and branch junctions. Isolate the plant and repeat treatment and support the weight of the older stems.

Rhipsalis trigona is non-toxic to cats and dogs

• This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Its effects on people are unclear, so keep it away from young children who may chew it.
• Eating a large amount can still cause an upset stomach. Seek medical or veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

The meaning and history of Rhipsalis trigona

Rhipsalis comes from Greek rhips, wickerwork or basket weave. Trigona means three-angled, describing the persistent triangular cross-section of the stems.

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

Louis Karl Georg Pfeiffer first described Rhipsalis trigona in 1837 in Enumeratio Diagnostica Cactearum, page 133.