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A green Fishbone Cactus with zigzag-shaped leaves on an orange background.

Fishbone Cactus

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Disocactus anguliger

KNOWN AS: Zig Zag Cactus, Ric Rac Cactus

CLIMATE (LOCATION): Central America | Tropical

DESCRIPTION: Fishbone cacti are unique plants that have leaves that grow in a zigzag pattern. The leaves grow straight up, and then curve down as they get bigger.

Easy difficulty & pet safe

Fishbone Cactus Plant Care

Lighting

Light Requirement: High Light (Bright Indirect Light)

Fishbone cacti prefer bright, indirect light. Exposure to full sunlight can burn its leaves, resulting in brown edges. To prevent this, place your fishbone cactus in an east or west-facing window. South-facing windows will provide too much light, and north-facing will not provide ample light. The health of your plants leaves will tell you if it needs to be relocated. Using an LED grow light is a great option for living spaces where natural lighting is insufficient.

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White Soltech Aspect Gen 2 Hanging over Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant with a Teal background.
White Soltech Aspect Gen 2 Hanging over Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant with a Teal background.
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A white Soltech Vita displayed against a yellow background with a wicker object and a green leaf in the backdrop.
A white Soltech Vita displayed against a yellow background with a wicker object and a green leaf in the backdrop.
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A white Soltech Highland on the Highland Track Light System mounted on a rail, with a backdrop of an orange wall and green foliage.
A white Soltech Highland on the Highland Track Light System mounted on a rail, with a backdrop of an orange wall and green foliage.
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A Black Soltech Grove positioned on a table with a plant in the background, illustrating the product's use for indoor plants.
A Black Soltech Grove positioned on a table with a plant in the background, illustrating the product's use for indoor plants.
Grove™ LED Grow Light
$151.00 CAD $189.00 CAD

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Watering

Quick Tip: Water until water comes out of drainage holes. Allow top 2 to 4 inches of soil to completely dry between waterings.

The Fishbone cactus likes a somewhat drier environment, with soil that is allowed to dry out between waterings. When the top inch of soil seems dry to the touch, water the plant well with room temperature water. Make careful to let any extra water drain out of the pot's bottom and avoid letting the plant stand in water that is still because this might lead to root rot. Reduce watering over the winter, but don't let the soil get completely dry. Lower humidity levels are acceptable for fishbone cactus, however spraying the leaves or using a humidifier can make the plant more successful. It's crucial to avoid overwatering the plant since this can result in yellowing or leaf drop. Generally speaking, maintaining slightly drier soil and avoiding extremes of wet or dry soil can aid in the growth and health of your fishbone cactus.

Temperature

Preferred Temperature: 60º - 80º

Fishbone cactus is a tropical plant that is native to Central and South America. It likes temperatures between 60°F (15°C) and 80°F (27°C) but can handle higher temperatures in the summer. But you should try to keep the plant away from temperatures below 50°F (10°C), which can hurt the plant. Also, the fishbone cactus doesn't like sudden changes in temperature, so it's best not to put it near windows or doors that let in cold air. The Fishbone cactus will stay healthy and grow well if the temperature stays the same and doesn't change too much.

Humidity

Preferred Humidity: 50 - 60%; Moderate Humidity

The fishbone cactus likes levels of humidity between 50% and 60%. You can do this by putting a humidifier next to the cactus or a tray of water next to the plant. Another useful tip is to mist the leaves of the cactus regularly. This keeps the leaves moist and keeps the humidity at the right level. But don't mist too much, because that could cause fungi to grow on the cactus. You can also put the cactus in a bathroom or kitchen, which tend to have more humidity because they have water. This will give the cactus a natural and reliable way to get water. You can put a pebble tray under the plant if you live in a dry area. Put water in the tray and set the pot on top of it. The water will evaporate, making the air around the cactus more humid.

Additional Plant Care

Propagation
Stem cuttings can be used to make more fishbone cactus plants. To propagate, cut a healthy stem and make sure it has a few segments. Let the cut heal over for a few days to make it less likely to go bad. Then, plant the cutting in soil that drains well or cactus mix, making sure to bury the bottom part of the cutting in the soil. Give the soil a lot of water and then let it drain. Put the pot somewhere where it will get bright, but not direct, light, and keep the soil moist but not soggy. The cutting should start to grow roots in a few weeks, and when it does, you can move it to a bigger pot or your garden. You can also grow new fishbone cactus plants from seeds, but this is harder and takes more time.
Toxicity
Fishbone cactus is generally considered to have low toxicity levels and does not contain any significant toxic compounds that pose a serious risk if ingested or touched. However, it's important to note that individual sensitivities and allergies can vary, and some individuals may experience mild reactions if they come into contact with the plant or its sap. Fishbone cactus is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion of small amounts of the plant is unlikely to cause significant issues. However, it's always a good practice to monitor pets and contact a veterinarian if you suspect they have ingested a significant amount of the plant or are showing any unusual symptoms. While the Fishbone cactus is generally considered safe, it's advisable to handle any houseplant with care and keep it out of reach of young children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion or contact.
Repotting
Fishbone cactus plants are epiphytes, which means they are used to growing on other plants instead of in soil. To repot your fishbone cactus, first choose a pot with drainage holes that is slightly bigger than the one it is in now. Then, mix together 1 part peat moss, 1 part perlite, and 1 part sand to make a soil that drains well. Carefully take the plant out of its old pot and loosen the roots with your fingers. Take out any roots that are dead or broken. Put a layer of fresh soil mix in the bottom of the new pot and put the plant in the middle. Fill the pot with the soil mixture and press it down around the roots to make sure there are no air pockets. After repotting the plant, give it a lot of water and let it drain before putting it in a bright spot that doesn't get direct sunlight. Don't fertilize the plant for a few weeks so it can get used to its new home.
Pruning
Fishbone cactus, also called ric rac cactus, can get grow quite large. For this reason, they need to be pruned often to keep them looking their best. The best time to prune your fishbone cactus is when it is actively growing in the spring or summer. To prune, remove any damaged, dead, or diseased stems or leaves with a clean, sharp pair of pruning shears. To stop the spread of plant diseases, you should clean your pruning shears before and after each use. You can also prune your fishbone cactus to shape it and keep its size in check. Cut back any stems that are getting too big until they are just above a healthy leaf node. This will help new growth. Fishbone cactus also sends out new shoots from the base of the plant. To encourage new growth from the base, you can cut off the oldest stems. In general, pruning your fishbone cactus will help it stay healthy, keep its shape, and encourage new growth.
Fertilizing
Fishbone cactus is a cactus plant that comes from Central and South America and has a unique look. For fishbone cactus to grow well, it needs to be fertilized the right way. Fertilize your fishbone cactus once a month with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer when it is growing, which is usually from spring to summer. You can use a fertilizer made just for cacti or a general fertilizer that has been diluted by half. Don't give your fishbone cactus any fertilizer when it is dormant in the winter. Root burn and other problems can happen if you use too much fertilizer, so make sure to follow the directions on the package and never use more than the recommended amount.
Soil
Fishbone cactus plants do best in soil that drains well and has a lot of organic matter. A suitable soil mix would fishbone cactus plants do best in soil that drains well and has a lot of organic matter. A good mix of soil would include potting soil, perlite, and sand or pumice so that water can drain well. It's also important to keep the soil moist but not soggy to keep the roots from rotting, since these plants can die from too much water. During the growing season, you can also fertilize fishbone cacti with a balanced fertilizer that has been diluted to half its strength. Mix together potting soil, perlite, and sand or pumice to help water drain away. It's also important to keep the soil moist but not soggy to keep the roots from rotting, since these plants can die from too much water. During the growing season, you can also fertilize fishbone cacti with a balanced fertilizer that has been diluted to half its strength.

Hanging Heights

Fishbone Cactus Lighting Requirements: High Light (Bright Indirect Light)

Chart showing recommended hanging heights for Soltech Aspect and popular plants for each range.

Aspect Hanging Heights - Fishbone Cactus

-

Soltech's Recommendation -

24" to 36"

-

VIEW ASPECT GROW GUIDE

Vita Hanging Heights - Fishbone Cactus

-

Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Vita : 24" to 36"

60º Wide Beam Vita : 12" to 24"

-

VIEW VITA GROW GUIDE

Highland Hanging Heights - Fishbone Cactus

-

Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Highland : 30" to 42"

60º Wide Beam Highland : 18" to 30"

-

VIEW HIGHLAND GROW GUIDE

Grove Hanging Heights - Fishbone Cactus

-

Soltech's Recommendation:

  • Not Recommended

-

VIEW GROVE GROW GUIDE

Lighting guide for plants with Soltech Aura and potted plants on a neutral background

Aura Light Distances - Fishbone Cactus

-

Soltech's Recommendation:

  • 0" to 8"

-

VIEW AURA GROW GUIDE

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