They lurk in the deep green treetops, crocodile infested rivers cascading below, anacondas slithering over surrounding branches, blood-thirsty tarantulas prowling the shadowed forest floor, the burning sun high in the equatorial sky…I’m talking about jungle cacti!
Yes, there are cacti native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, and most them are epiphytic, meaning they live in trees while some are lithophytic, growing on rocks. They have adapted to get nutrients and water from decaying leaf matter and the rain and high-humidity areas they are native to. The most well-known jungle cactus is the Christmas Cactus, of the genus Schlumbergera.
Many other varieties of epiphytic cactus are rewarding houseplants as well. The leaf-shapes of Epiphyllum anguliger, aka Fishbone Cactus or Zig-Zag cactus, are always fascinating. Fishbone cacti and other Epiphyllum are also known for their large colourful flowers, sometimes being given the nickname “orchid cactus.”
Though they are tree and rock growers in the wild, they do fine in a pot of well-draining soil. Because they prefer light conditions that are a bit more shady than the average cactus, they can be quite happy in an indoor environment, provided they’re misted regularly to keep them from getting too dry (the opposite of the standard desert cactus!)
Check out our stock of Fishbone cacti. We also have a few new Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera “Thor Olivia”) with green and purple leaves not yet added to our catalogue (variety pictured above), which will probably go fast. If interested in one, drop us a note.
And watch out for those lurking jungle cacti! 🙂
The Green Windowsill 