Natural Habitat

Fishbone Cactus is native to the rainforests of Mexico. In its natural habitat, it grows as an epiphyte, meaning it attaches itself to trees rather than rooting directly in soil. It thrives under the forest canopy in bright, filtered light with consistent warmth and humidity.

Growth Habit

Epiphyllum anguliger is a trailing jungle cactus with flat, deeply lobed zig zag stems that cascade as they mature. In the right indoor conditions, stems can reach 60 to 100cm in length, making it ideal for hanging planters or elevated shelving where it can spill naturally.

Unlike desert cacti, it grows actively during spring and summer and slows in winter.

Light

Place in bright, indirect light. Avoid harsh direct sun, especially in summer, as it can scorch the flat stems.

Water

Water when the top few centimetres of soil feel dry. Fishbone Cactus prefers slightly more consistent moisture than desert cacti, but it should never sit in water.

Humidity

As a rainforest cactus, it appreciates moderate to higher humidity. It adapts well to typical UK homes but thrives in kitchens, bathrooms or grouped with other plants.

Temperature

Prefers 16 to 24°C. Avoid temperatures below 12°C and protect from cold draughts.

Soil

Use a free draining cactus compost or a houseplant mix blended with perlite or orchid bark to replicate its airy, epiphytic growing conditions.

Feeding

Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser to support healthy stem growth and encourage flowering.

Propagation

Fishbone Cactus is easy to propagate from stem cuttings.

Take a healthy cutting in spring or summer, allow the cut end to dry for 24 to 48 hours, then place into lightly moist, well draining compost. Keep in bright, indirect light while roots establish. New growth usually appears within a few weeks.

Yes. Mature Epiphyllum anguliger can produce fragrant, creamy white flowers, usually in late summer or autumn. Bright light and stable conditions improve the chances of blooming.

It is considered moderately fast growing during the active growing season. In bright, indirect light you will see noticeable stem extension from spring through summer.

Wrinkled stems usually indicate underwatering. Check the soil and water thoroughly if it feels completely dry. If the soil is wet, check drainage as root issues can also cause stress.

Absolutely. It is naturally a trailing jungle cactus and performs beautifully in hanging pots or elevated planters where the zig zag stems can cascade freely.

Want fuller growth? Gently pinch or trim back longer stems to encourage branching and a bushier trailing shape.