How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Red Mistletoe Cactus

Red mistletoe cactus is a unique and wonderful succulent that makes an excellent houseplant. Its colorful foliage and attractive berries make it a conversation piece in any collection. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to learn how to grow this fun epiphyte.

Cascading elongated leaves in rich shades of red, flowing down from a hanging pot, with soft green textures in the background.

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I adore an interesting hanging plant, so when I find an unusual one, it really makes me happy. If it blooms or produces fruit, that’s even better. Naturally, when I happened upon a red mistletoe cactus the first time, I scooped it up and made it my own. 

If you’ve found yourself in possession of one of these, you’ve happened upon a true gem. Few houseplants have the interest and personality that this one has. Let’s talk about caring for this exciting succulent!

Pseudorhipsalis ramulosa ‘Red Mistletoe Cactus’ Overview

A dense cluster of maroon and green slender leaves gracefully spilling downward from a pot, creating a cascading effect.
Plant Type Perennial epiphyte
Family Cataceae
Genus Pseudorhipsalis
Species Ramulosa
Native Area Central and South America, Florida, Caribbean
Exposure Bright indirect light
Height 6’
Watering Requirements Moderate
Pests & Diseases Spider mites, mealybugs, powdery mildew, bacterial leaf spot, root rot
Maintenance Moderate
Soil Type Fertile, loose, well-draining, slightly acidic
Hardiness Zone 10-11

What Is It?

Long, trailing reddish-pink foliage hanging neatly from pots, arranged under a structured greenhouse canopy.
It’s a beautiful plant that is easy to propagate and rewards its caretaker with stunning foliage and flowers.

Red mistletoe cactus is a somewhat uncommon tropical epiphyte. It’s a beautiful plant that is easy to propagate and rewards its caretaker with stunning foliage and flowers. Its ease of propagation makes it affordable, though it can be difficult to find at local nurseries. 

They are available online at reasonable prices. Even better, if you have a friend who owns one, ask if they will give you some cuttings the next time they prune it. You will love watching this interesting succulent grow and change colors.

YouTube video

Characteristics

Thin, pink-tinted leaves gently arching downwards, adorned with delicate white buds forming along their edges.
When exposed to brighter light, they blush to a gorgeous reddish-purple tone.

In terms of growth habits, this is a tropical epiphyte. It grows on trees in tropical rainforests, where it gets plenty of rain and humidity. Unlike most true cacti, this one doesn’t appreciate dry air or soil. 

When they first form or live in a low-light situation, the leaves are long, flat, and green. When exposed to brighter light, they blush to a gorgeous reddish-purple tone. 

In summer, small, greenish flowers bloom along the margins of the leaves. Close behind the flowers are small white berries. This is where it gets the mistletoe part of its name, as the berries resemble those of the famous holiday-kissing plant.

Native Area

Striking crimson-red leaves cascading in layers.
The cactus makes itself at home growing on trees and lives happily beneath the canopy. 

Red mistletoe cactus is primarily found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. It is also native to parts of Southern Florida and the Caribbean. The cactus makes itself at home growing on trees and lives happily beneath the canopy. 

Planting

Vibrant red hanging leaves interspersed with light green, feathery fern stems for a textured, contrasting appearance.
Treat it as you would an orchid or other epiphyte. 

Because it is tropical and needs warm weather year-round, most plant lovers keep red mistletoe cactus in the home. If you’re fortunate to live in Zones 10 or 11, you can grow this outdoors, as well. Treat it as you would an orchid or other epiphyte. 

How to Grow

A row of hanging pots showcasing long, reddish-pink foliage cascading downward in a shaded greenhouse environment.
Make sure that it’s happy where it’s located, and make adjustments to your care as needed.

I consider red mistletoe cactus to be a low to moderate-maintenance plant. It takes a bit of effort, but overall, it’s no more difficult than an orchid or a Christmas cactus. These other tropical epiphytes have similar needs. Pay attention to it for a few months to make sure that it’s happy where it’s located, and make adjustments to your care as needed.

Light

A detailed view of glossy red leaves with smooth edges, highlighted by soft light reflecting on their surface.
With enough exposure, they will turn a deep red-violet.

This is one of those fun succulents that changes color with light exposure. Giving it more light will make the leaves blush, and with enough exposure, they will turn a deep red-violet. While this color is the result of stress, a certain amount will not harm it. Many plant lovers appreciate this characteristic and encourage it. 

That said, the ideal light conditions for your mistletoe cactus are as bright, with indirect sunlight as you can give it. It naturally grows beneath a canopy where the light filters through the trees overhead. They will tolerate some direct sun if you want to deepen the color. The morning sun is cooler and gentler, so I recommend exposing it in the morning and avoiding direct sun in the afternoon.

Water

A steady stream of water flows from a blue watering can, soaking dark, freshly tilled soil, in preparation for planting.
Feeling the soil is the best way to determine whether it’s time to water your cactus.

Tropical epiphytes live in trees where their roots are exposed to the elements rather than growing in soil. This makes watering them a bit more complicated, but once you understand how it works, it’s not difficult. 

The most important thing is to keep the roots from sitting in soggy potting soil. The roots are sensitive to moisture and soak it up quickly. Wet soil is a breeding ground for fungi, and very few plants appreciate it. Epiphytes, however, are highly intolerant of it. 

Feeling the soil is the best way to determine whether it’s time to water your cactus. The top one to two inches of soil should be dry before you water again. As long as your container and soil are well-draining, you can run water through the container and then allow it to drain thoroughly. 

Soil

A pair of hands gently holding brown coco coir, surrounded by additional shredded coconut husks stored in a blue bin in the background.
Coco coir mixed with vermiculite and coarse sand is an ideal combination.

As far as soil goes, I refer back to the epiphytic nature again, as this is another important aspect of successful care. Dense, heavy soil that holds a lot of moisture is deadly for this plant. 

It will be difficult to find the perfect premixed potting mix for this situation, so it is best to combine elements. You can go in a couple of directions, but the most important factor is drainage. You want a combination of materials that will drain quickly.

You can start with commercial cactus soil and add some bark, sand, or perlite. Another combination that works well is coco coir mixed with vermiculite and coarse sand. If you use the second option, mix in some material that is high in organic content, like compost or work castings. These will lower the pH and add nutrients. 

Temperature and Humidity

Wind blowing in an an open window with sheer curtains.
Keep it away from drafts and air vents where it could experience quick temperature shifts. 

This is a warm-climate plant that you shouldn’t leave out in the cold. It will do well outdoors in the summer if you live in a humid climate, but as soon as the temperature begins to drop in the fall, bring it indoors. It can survive down to about 50°F (10°C), but lower than that, and it will experience stress and can lose foliage. 

Even indoors, this one likes to be warmer than average. It is happiest between 70 and 90°F (21-32°C), which is pretty warm! Keep it away from drafts and air vents where it could experience quick temperature shifts. 

Another characteristic that sets it apart from other cacti is its need for high humidity. It takes in additional moisture through its stems, which is important. It needs at least 50% humidity to thrive. More is better. 

Fertilizing

A close-up of female hands holding pink granular plant fertilizer against a blurred green background.
Use a formula low in nitrogen and higher in potassium and phosphorus.

If you mix some organic compost into your potting mix, you won’t need to fertilize your cactus. I recommend repotting yearly with fresh potting soil to replenish the nutrients. 

If you want to give it a boost around blooming time, you can fertilize lightly. Use a liquid formula low in nitrogen and higher in potassium and phosphorus.

Maintenance

An overhead flat-lay shot of multiple hand shears with different functions and varying colors of handlers, all placed on top of a wooden surface in a well lit area
If you want to give your plant a trim to make it bushier, hold onto the leaves that you remove.

Pruning is not a necessity unless you’re dealing with dead or damaged foliage. If you want to give your plant a trim to make it bushier, hold onto the leaves that you remove, as they are excellent for propagating. 

Outside of cleaning it up for appearance’s sake now and then, there’s not much to worry about. You can deadhead the flowers if you want to help the plant redirect nutrients to new growth, but it’s not imperative. 

Propagation

Small Schlumbergera cuttings with jointed, smooth green segments stand upright in pots, showing fresh growth tips.
Plant cuttings like you would Christmas cacti, with jointed, smooth green segments that stand upright in small pots.

There are several ways to propagate this interesting plant, and they are all fairly simple. Let’s briefly go over the different ways to grow more red mistletoe cacti.

Cuttings 

Slim green stems with pale cream buds forming at the nodes, indicating the onset of flowering.
They root easily and require hardly any tending.

Propagating these by cuttings is similar to most succulent plants. They root easily and require hardly any tending. 

Cut three- to four-inch sections of leaves and allow them to dry and callous overnight. Fill a pot with potting media and stand the cuttings upright, inserting the cut ends into the soil. 

Water after planting, and place the pot in a bright space, but keep it out of direct sunlight. Occasionally moisten the soil, and in about a month, you’ll begin to see new growth as the roots develop. 

Water Propagation

Thin, white roots emerging from a stem immersed in clear water, revealing a successful propagation method.
When your cuttings have a substantial amount of root growth, you can transfer them to a pot with potting mix. 

Most cacti don’t work well in this way, but you can take stem cuttings of this one and root them in water. Take care to keep the leaves out of the water so they don’t rot. When your cuttings have a substantial amount of root growth, you can transfer them to a pot with potting mix. 

Layering

A tangle of pale, healthy roots sprouting from a buried stem in rich brown soil, illustrating the layering technique.
The stem will root in about a month, and you’ll be on your way to a new plant!

Layering is similar to propagation with cuttings. Rather than standing the leaves upright in the soil with the cut ends down, lay the leaves on top with the junction on top of the soil. The stem will root in about a month, and you’ll be on your way to a new plant!

Seeds

Close-up of a woman's hands pouring seeds from a packet into her palm over a plastic seed tray filled with loose soil.
Plant them in cells about one-half inch deep with a mixture of sand and peat.

You can also propagate this one with seeds and even harvest your own seeds. After the plant flowers, allow the berries to develop and the seeds to ripen. Harvest and dry your seeds in a warm, dry spot between 60-70°F (16-21°C).

The seeds germinate easily. Plant them in cells about one-half inch deep with a mixture of sand and peat. Keep the soil mix moist while the seeds germinate. You can use plastic to create a small greenhouse over the pot to help the plant along after it sprouts. Keep your seeds in a brightly lit spot but out of direct light.

Common Problems

Long, reddish-green cascading stems adorned with tiny white buds hanging elegantly in a well-organized greenhouse.
A lack of humidity is the cause of issues.

Red mistletoe cactus is about average when it comes to pests and diseases. It’s not excessively susceptible, but it’s not disease-proof. Most commonly, a lack of humidity is the cause of issues. Overwatering doesn’t help either. 

Pests

A group of spider mites on a web formed on plant stems.
Spider mites can be difficult to deal with and spread quickly.

The most common pests to affect this plant include spider mites, mealy bugs, and aphids. Aphids and mealy bugs are not terribly difficult to eradicate. A cotton swab or pad with alcohol works well. Just wipe them off and then rinse the plant to keep the alcohol from drying out the leaves.

Wiping down the foliage gently with neem oil is a great way to prevent infestation. Spider mites can be difficult to deal with and spread quickly. If you see their fine webbing under leaves and near the base of the plant, isolate it quickly.

I’ve had the best luck with horticultural oils for getting rid of spider mites, but you have to be vigilant. Keep that plant isolated until you’re certain they’re gone. Once they spread, it becomes quite a challenge. 

Diseases

Willow branches and leaves affected by Powdery Mildew appear coated with a white, powdery substance, causing the leaves to curl.
Powdery mildew comes from overwatering and too much moisture overall.

Root rot is the most common disease to kill epiphytes. They have sensitive roots that need a lot of air circulation. Dense soil and overwatering are fast routes to root rot. You might see leaves begin to yellow, and in advanced cases, the crown of the cactus will rot. 

If you can catch this one early, re-pot it with fresh soil after cutting off any damaged roots. Once it affects most of the roots, it’s usually the end of things. 

Powdery mildew occasionally affects them but is not terribly serious. It, too, comes from overwatering and too much moisture overall. Just make sure there is good air circulation in the room, and wipe this away with a damp cloth. It can interfere with photosynthesis. 

Bacterial leaf spot is a more serious issue that you’ll want to handle right away. Black spots on the leaves and blackening of the stems mean that a trim is in order. Make sure to remove all affected foliage. This is the best way to mitigate the bacterial disease. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Best Type of Container for My Plant?

One with excellent drainage is important. A hanging planter is best for this cactus as it has a cascading growth habit.

Is Red Mistletoe Cactus safe for pets?

Yes! This plant is non-toxic and safe for pets and people.

How do you overwinter it?

It needs to come indoors for the winter. This is not a cold-tolerant cactus.

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