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Rhipsalis paradoxa – Chain Cactus Hanging Basket

Ed's Plant Shop  |  SKU: EPS-RHIPSALIS-PARADOXA-6IN-HB

Size
$59.00
Taxes, discounts and shipping calculated at checkout.

Description

Rhipsalis paradoxa – Chain Cactus Hanging Basket

Rhipsalis paradoxa, also known as the Chain Cactus, is a fascinating jungle cactus with long, segmented stems that resemble links in a chain. Native to the humid forests of Brazil, this epiphytic cactus naturally grows on tree branches, where its stems drape gracefully in filtered light. In a hanging basket, those same pendulous chains create an eye-catching, architectural display that feels sculptural and soft at the same time.

Unlike typical desert cacti, Rhipsalis enjoys gentle light, consistent moisture, and higher humidity—making it a perfect plant for bright rooms, plant shelves, and hanging corners that don’t get harsh direct sun.

Rhipsalis Paradoxa Plant Profile

  • Botanical Name: Rhipsalis paradoxa
  • Common Names: Chain Cactus, Link Cactus
  • Family: Cactaceae
  • Native Range: Atlantic forests of Brazil (subtropical/tropical moist lowland forests)
  • Plant Type: Epiphytic, jungle cactus with trailing segmented stems

Rhipsalis Paradoxa Care Guide

  • Care Level: Easy to Moderate – forgiving once you match its jungle-cactus needs
  • Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal. It also does well in dappled or medium light. Avoid harsh, direct sun that can scorch the stems.
  • Water: Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy. Water thoroughly, then allow the top 1–2 inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Reduce watering slightly in winter.
  • Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity (around 50–70%). Typical household humidity is fine, but added humidity will encourage lush growth.
  • Temperature: Best between 60–80°F. Protect from cold drafts and avoid temperatures below ~50°F.
  • Soil: Use a very well-draining, airy mix (such as cactus or succulent mix amended with orchid bark and perlite) to mimic its epiphytic roots.
  • Feeding: Fertilize monthly during spring and summer with a diluted, balanced or cactus-specific liquid fertilizer.
  • Growth Habit: Trailing; chain-like segmented stems can easily reach 2–3+ feet in length in a hanging basket.
  • Pruning: Trim stems to control length or shape; cut segments can be used for propagation.
  • Propagation: Simple from stem cuttings—allow cut ends to callus briefly, then plant in a well-draining mix.
  • Toxicity: Considered non-toxic to humans and pets if touched or ingested.

What Makes Rhipsalis Paradoxa Unique?

This isn’t your typical spiky cactus. Rhipsalis paradoxa is thornless, soft to the touch, and naturally cascading. The stems are made of plump, three-angled segments that link together like a chain, creating a sculptural, almost geometric look in a hanging basket. In the right conditions, small white flowers can appear along the stems, followed by decorative berry-like fruits—an extra reward for consistent care.

Because it’s epiphytic and adapted to life in the tree canopy, it tolerates gentler light and appreciates humidity more than desert cacti do. That makes it a great choice for bright rooms, near east- or north-facing windows, or a bit back from a sunny window where the light is filtered.

Styling Your Chain Cactus

Hang your Rhipsalis paradoxa where its cascading stems can really shine—over a stairwell, in front of a bright window, or as a statement piece in your plant corner. Pair it with broad-leafed foliage plants for contrast, or group it with other epiphytic cacti for a lush, jungle-inspired look.

Pro Tip: Rotate the hanging basket every few weeks so the stems grow evenly and form a full, balanced cascade.

Keep Your Plants Cozy with Heat Packs

Frequently Asked Questions

Shipping

How do you ship your plants?

We carefully package each plant with love by hand right from our shop in Brooklyn. Extra steps are taken to ensure that every leaf arrives in pristine shape by using polyfill and encapsulating the plant in a protective paper sleeve. The soil is also hydrated before shipping so that the plant has plenty of water for it's travel to your doorstep. We offer several shipping speeds, so please choose the one that you feel comfortable with depending on your location. 

Will my plant look like the one on the website?

Awesome question, we're glad you asked. Given the nature of our plant shop, we're constantly moving plants in and out of the shop, making it difficult and borderline impossible to keep an exact picture of each plant. In addition to the constantly rotating crop, we often grow in batches of 6, 12, or sometimes more! With this quantity we are unable to take a photo of each and every plant. The photos that we attach to each product listing is going to be of a plant that represents the average size and fullness of that set of plants. Some may be slightly larger or smaller, but in general, similar.

Do you include heat packs with your plants?

We offer Heat Packs for sale separately from the plants in 40, 60 and 72 hour increments. Please add a heat pack or two to your order if you live in an area where your order may be affected during transit by cold temperatures. We are not responsible for orders that are placed and damage is incurred to the plant if a heat pack is not purchased.

Which heat pack should I choose?

Heat packs come in three different increments, so please choose the appropriate hour increment depending on the speed of shipping that you choose during checkout. For example, if you choose a cheaper shipping option that will take longer, please select the 72 hour heat pack. If you've chosen a shorter method of shipping, the 40 or 60 hour increment would work! We like to encourage our customers to always get more than you need, just to be on the safe side!

How long will it take to receive my order?

Standard shipping normally takes 3-5 days. Next day shipping is available on all domestic orders (for an additional charge). International shipping times depend on the products and destination (estimated at checkout).

Do you offer express shipping?

All orders are shipped 5-8 business days from the date it is placed. Please note that as a small plant shop, we do everything in our power to get orders out as fast as we can in the order that they come in. If you have circumstances that require expedited fulfillment, please connect with you and we can potentially offer options. 

What countries do you ship to?

We ship our selection of rare, healthy, and unique houseplants all across the United States including California. At this time, due to customs and agricultural limitations, we are unable to ship plants internationally from the United States.

Returns and Refunds

How do I return a product?

Items must be returned within 30 days after receiving your order. Items must be returned in the same condition in which they were received, be unworn/unused, have any tags still attached, and include all the original packaging.

How long will it take to receive my refund?

Refunds are processed within 7 days from when we receive the item(s).

What should I do if my plant arrives in poor shape? 

In the extremely unlikely event that your plant arrives in less than perfect condition, you're covered by our 15-day plant health guarantee. Simply snap a photo of your plant and send it over to us. We'll happily take a peek and offer suggestions on how to perk it back up, offer a store credit, or send a replacement. We like to make it as easy as possible!

Can I return or exchange a plant?

At this time, we do not accept returns on plants. In extreme circumstances where a return of a plant is necessary, the customer is responsible for the return shipping and a refund will only be issued if the plant arrives back to us in living condition.