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Fishbone Cactus

4.8 out of 5 (5 experiences)

Fast grower

Survivor

About Fishbone Cactus

Fishbone Cactus is a super popular houseplant 🌿 that is isn’t challenging to grow and needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Plant parents describe this plant as a fast grower and being a survivor with a whopping 2377 being grown with Greg around the world. Check out the reviews below for more details!🌟

Fishbone Cactus likes soil that is extremely well-draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Fishbone Cactus belongs to the Selenicereus genus, and is native to Mexico.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Selenicereus anthonyanus

Genus

Selenicereus

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

Also known as

Rick rack cactus, Zig-zag cactus, St. anthony's rik-rak and Anacampseros

How to care for Fishbone Cactus

💦 Water

How often to water your Fishbone Cactus

Fishbone Cactus needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Fishbone Cactus in your home

Fishbone Cactus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Fishbone Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Fishbone Cactus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Fishbone Cactus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Fishbone Cactus: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Fishbone Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Selenicereus

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Fishbone Cactus is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Fishbone Cactus →

💦 Water Needs

Fishbone Cactus thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Fishbone Cactus Water Frequency →

Fishbone Cactus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Fishbone Cactus requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Fishbone Cactus Light Requirements →

Fishbone Cactus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Fishbone Cactus is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

💨 Humidity

Fishbone Cactus enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.

Fishbone Cactus Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Fishbone Cactus is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Fishbone Cactus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Fishbone Cactus →

💩 Fertilizer

Fishbone Cactus grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Fishbone Cactus →

🌎 Native Region

Fishbone Cactus is native to Central, South America, and the Caribbean.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Fishbone Cactus bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Fishbone Cactus Flowers →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Fishbone Cactus is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.

How and When to Prune Fishbone Cactus →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Fishbone Cactus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Fishbone Cactus Temperature Tolerance →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Fishbone Cactus. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!