Disocactus flagelliformis

RHS Plant Profile

rat's tail cactus

Dorling Kindersley 2003

Synonyms

Aporocactus flagriformis
Aporocactus leptophis
Aporocactus flagelliformis

Cactus Succulent Houseplants

A cactus with slender, pendent or trailing cylindrical stems and funnel-shaped, bright red-purple flowers to 8cm in length from late spring

Position

Full sun

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cactaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Trailing
Genus: Disocactus are evergreen perennials with cylindrical main stems and flattened side shoots, bearing funnel-shaped, sometimes fragrant flowers on the margins, followed by fleshy white fruits
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in an epiphytic cactus compost in bright filtered light. During the growing season water moderately and feed with a high potash liquid fertilizer monthly. Keep just moist at other times of the year

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 21°C or by stem cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free