- Rare Low Maintenance Cactus
- Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light, Medium Light)
- Below Average Watering Needs
- Mature Height 24 inches
- Pet Safe
Ric Rac Cactus, also known by the common names Fishbone Cactus or Orchid Cactus, is not a true cactus. This epiphytic rainforest plant has modified leaves, like a cactus, which require high humidity levels and low light in their native Mexico homes. Ric Rac Cactus is mainly grown for the long, zig-zag leaves, but when this plant is mature and under the right conditions, it will bloom with one of the showiest flowers of any houseplant.
Best Locations For Growing Ric Rac Cactus
Ric Rac Cactus likes to stretch out and hang in a bright, warm room with high humidity. A humidifier is not necessary, although a daily mist with water will keep the air humidity around this cactus high. Fine hairs on the leaves can be irritating, making this plant not a great choice for a child’s room.
Ric Rac Cactus Sunlight Requirements
This rainforest epiphyte grows as an understory plant in the wild with dappled sun and semi-shade. In the home, Ric Rac Cactus grows best in indirect bright and medium light. Leaves will grow thinner and slower if the light levels are too low. Letting Ric Rac Cactus live outdoors during the summer may help the plant bloom. Always give the plant a shady location with either dappled sun or early morning sun.
Ric Rac Cactus Care
Ric Rac Cactus thrives in temperatures between 68-80 degrees F. Bring your plant inside before nighttime temperatures dip bellow 50 F. Use an indoor potting mix and add perlite and fine orchid bark to make the soil rich and free draining. The roots may begin to grow out of the drainage holes to let you know it is time for a pot 1-2 sizes bigger. Leaving the plants rootbound for a season may encourage flowering. Repotting will be needed every 2-3 years.
Watering Ric Rac Cactus
Watering this cactus is very different from a true desert cactus. Ric Rac Cactus will require regular watering, like other tropical houseplants. The top 2-3 inches of soil should be left to dry out in between waterings. Watering may be required much less during the winter when the plant enters a semi-dormant rest period. Always use room temperature water. Cold water will shock the roots. Water with either rainwater or tap water that has been left to sit for 24 hours. This will dissipate any chlorine or other chemicals used in treating municipal water.
Feeding Ric Rac Cactus
Fertilize this plant once in the spring as it comes out of winter dormancy. A liquid fertilizer formulated for cactus or succulents will assist with good root formation and green foliage. Feeding Ric Rac Cactus with a liquid Orchid fertilizer once a month during the summer may help it to form flower buds in the late summer or early fall.
Ric Rac Cactus Information
| Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light, Medium Light |
| Care Requirements: Easy |
| Watering Requirements: Below Average - Let the soil dry completely, then, water deeply. |
| Pet Friendly: Yes |
| Kid Friendly: Yes |
| Air Purifier: High |
| Habit: Upright |
| Growth Rate: Fast |
| Mature Height: 24 inches |
| Mature Spread: 2 inches |
| Flowering: Yes |
| Flower Color(s): Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow |
| Flower Shade/Description: Pink, Red, White, Yellow, Orange, or Purple |
| Fragrant: |
| Foliage Type: |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Dark Green |
| Temperature: 60° - 65°F (16° - 18°C) |
| Humidity: Average (40% - 60%) |
| Common Name: Ric Rac Cactus |
| Other Name(s): Zig Zag, Fishbone |
| Scientific Name: Cryptocereus anthonyanus |
| Plant Type: House Plant |
- SKU:
- Epiphyllum_Ric.Rac.Cactus-HP
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations