Rat Tail Cactus
Aporocactus flagelliformis
A hanging succulent with long, slender, cylindrical stems covered in fine, bristly spines, often grown in hanging baskets.
- Light
- Full sun to bright indirect light, around 6 to 8 hours daily
- Water
- Water deeply when the soil is completely dry to the touch, reducing frequency during the winter months
- Growth
- Trailing perennial succulent with stems growing several feet long at a moderate rate
Care instructions
Provide bright, direct light for several hours a day, water thoroughly only when the soil is completely dry, and use a well-draining cactus potting mix with a balanced fertilizer applied during the growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to bright indirect light, around 6 to 8 hours daily
Watering
Water deeply when the soil is completely dry to the touch, reducing frequency during the winter months
Soil
Fast-draining cactus or succulent potting mix with a neutral to slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.5
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 10 to 11, grown indoors or as a patio plant in cooler climates
Growth habit
Trailing perennial succulent with stems growing several feet long at a moderate rate
Bloom season
Spring, producing vibrant tubular pink to red flowers along the stems
Propagation
Propagated easily through stem cuttings allowed to callus before planting in dry soil, or through seeds
Common pests & issues
Prone to root rot if overwatered or kept in poorly draining soil; occasional issues with mealybugs or spider mites
Similar species
Disocactus flagelliformis or Hildewintera colademononis, distinguished by differences in spine texture, density, and flower color