Pfeiffera monacantha

RHS Plant Profile
one-spined wickerware cactus

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Synonyms

Rhipsalis monacantha
Acanthorhipsalis monacantha
Lepismium monacanthum

Award of Garden Merit
Cactus Succulent Houseplants

An epiphytic cactus, with spiny, upright, 3-angled stems, later becoming flattened and pendent, to 45cm long. From spring to summer it produces orange, funnel-shaped flowers to 3cm across; these arise from the areoles and may be followed by spherical, orange fruits

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cactaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Pendulous weeping
Genus
A genus of trailing, flowering cacti, found in Bolivia and northwestern Argentina with long, narrow serrated or spiny stems and creamy-white, orange or pink waxy flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Bolivia to Argentina

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in epiphytic cactus compost in bright filtered or indirect light with moderate to high humidity. Mist daily in warm weather. In growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 3 or 4 times; water sparingly at other times. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19-24°C in spring; root stem sections in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Hanging Basket
  • Sub-tropical
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free