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Rhipsalis burchellii - Mistletoe Cactus Hanging Basket

Ed's Plant Shop

Size
$55.00
Taxes, discounts and shipping calculated at checkout.

Description

A Rare, Cloud-Like Cactus for Your Indoor Jungle

Rhipsalis burchellii is a delicate and highly sought-after rainforest cactus known for its fine, cascading stems that create an airy, cloud-like appearance. Unlike desert cacti, this species is a true epiphyte, growing naturally on tree branches in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Its soft, feathery texture brings elegance and gentle movement to any space, making it a perfect statement plant for hanging baskets, wall planters, or high shelves.

This rare Rhipsalis species thrives in bright, indirect light and requires remarkably little maintenance. Its easygoing nature makes it an excellent choice for both new plant parents and experienced collectors looking to add a unique trailing specimen to their indoor garden.


Plant Profile

  • Scientific Name: Rhipsalis burchellii
  • Common Names: Rhipsalis, Mistletoe Cactus, Cloud Cactus
  • Family: Cactaceae
  • Native Range: Central & Southern America (tropical rainforests)

Mistletoe Cactus Care Guide

  • Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Best placed a few feet away from a window. Can tolerate lower light for extended periods.
  • Water: Keep soil lightly moist but never wet. Water when the top layer feels dry. Reduce watering in fall and winter.
  • Humidity: Average household humidity is fine; appreciates slightly higher levels.
  • Temperature: Thrives above 50°F; avoid cold drafts.
  • Pruning: Trim brown or damaged stems to maintain a full, attractive cascade.
  • Feeding: Fertilize monthly in spring and summer using a diluted cactus or balanced fertilizer.
  • Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans and pets, though caution is always recommended with children and animals.

Fun Fact: The “Cloud Cactus”

Despite being a cactus, Rhipsalis burchellii thrives in rainforest environments, not deserts. Its fine, airy stems and soft texture have earned it the nickname “Cloud Cactus”, perfectly describing its light, feathery form.


History of Rhipsalis burchellii

This species belongs to one of the most unusual groups in the cactus family. Rhipsalis evolved in tropical forests and adapted to grow as an epiphyte—living on trees rather than in soil. Over time, its seeds spread far beyond the Americas, making Rhipsalis the only cactus genus naturally found in parts of Africa and Asia. Its resilience, unique appearance, and shade tolerance have made it a favorite among plant collectors and indoor gardeners worldwide.

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.