Herself's Houseplants

Over 100 Houseplants specific care, tips, and help

Old Man’s Beard ( Rhipsalis Capilliformis )

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This is one of my favorite plants. I’ve only seen it in a store the time I purchased it. After growing so many house plants, for so long, you really enjoy something new and drastically different.

It is a cactus, but it prefers more water and less sun than most cactus. A southern or bright east or west window will suit it fine. If you put it outside in the summer place it under a tree in dappled shade. It can comfortably handle temperatures down to the mid-30s.

I water it when the soil feels dry on top for about a half an inch.

I propagate it by pulling a small plug from the plant and putting that in water until I see new roots.

The plant needs to be trimmed right now so it will bush out more. This is the plant from a plug I took of the original about 2 years ago.

Written by ljmacphee

April 19th, 2007 at 7:00 am

Posted in Specific plant information,Succulent

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2 Responses to 'Old Man’s Beard ( Rhipsalis Capilliformis )'

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  1. I have had this plant for a couple of years now, but never knew what it was until now. I think “Harry” needs to be repotted. (The soil level has diminished so far down that I have a hard time checking the soil before I water.) What should I use for soil? I want “Harry to be happy in his new pot. Also, You mentioned above that your plant needed to be trimmed. What is the proper way to trim a Rhipsalis Capilliformis? “Harry” is currently blooming. (For the first time ever!) Should I wait until after the bloom cycle to replant in a new pot?

    S_Holmes

    15 Jun 08 at 8:42 am

  2. This is a very cool plant, one of my favorites.

    I just use regular potting soil, nothing special.

    I’d wait for the blooms to finish. Only because he sounds pot bound so you’ll probably have to loosen up his roots a bit that that is traumatic. ( see What to do with a pot bound plant ).

    I just take scissors and trim off the bottom of the long strands to even it up a bit and encourage him to fill out more up top about twice a year. I do it just like I would if I was trimming my sister’s hair.

    ljmacphee

    15 Jun 08 at 9:22 am

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