You will receive your plant in a nursery pot. Pot it up into a sturdy pot with a wide base. Young shoots will grow upwards, eventually hanging over the edge of the pot (which needs to be stable and not tilt, which explains the need for a wide base).

Stand mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis sp.) in a warm and sunny or (partly) shady spot. The thick, fleshy stems are very strong and these plants require very little maintenance. Dry air (for instance above a radiator) is no problem and they are perfect for hanging over the edge of a cabinet once they are long enough.

Although classified as cacti, these varieties do require quite a bit of watering when the conditions are ideal. Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis sp.) will therefore thrive if you water it moderately once or twice a week. Do not allow any water to remain in the saucer - and the potting compost should feel a little on the dry side. If you do happen to neglect it for a few weeks, it will still survive. Feed several times over spring and summer with liquid plant food for flowering plants.

Rhipsalis plants in bloom

Flowers can develop on these plants the whole year through. Insects will pollinate them but you can give them a helping hand with a little paintbrush. If it works well, you will get little berries after the flowers, making the plants even more decorative. Each variety in the mix has a different berry although they are mostly white or pink.

If the hanging shoots get too long, just cut them back to the required length.

This type of plant is a very easily kept houseplant, tolerating our dry indoor air. The thick, fleshy stems store lots of moisture and act as a water reservoir during periods of drought.

Mistletoe cacti make great plants for difficult spots, like a window-sill above a radiator and look great hanging over the top of a cabinet.