Lepismium lumbricoides - 8" Basket
You will receive one of the three hanging baskets pictured in the listing, as well as the hanging basket it was grown in. Your plant will be shipped bare root. Please have soil ready upon arrival!
Lepismium lumbricoides' Distinguishing Factors
- Foliage Shape: Long slender branching stems that grow 3-4 meters long
- Flower Color & Size: small white or cream flowers, sometimes tinged with green
- Berry Color: Purple-red
*Prolific Bloomer*
Description of Lepismium lumbricoides - The Jungle Succulent Epiphyte:
Lepismium lumbricoides, also known as the Jungle Succulent, is a stunning epiphytic plant that belongs to the cactus family. This unique succulent hails from the tropical rainforests, where it thrives as an epiphyte, gracefully clinging to trees and rocks. Lepismium lumbricoides showcases a captivating growth habit and distinctive features that make it a prized addition to any indoor plant collection.
As an epiphytic plant, Lepismium lumbricoides has adapted to grow on other surfaces without relying on soil for its nutrients. Instead, it uses its specialized roots to anchor itself to trees or rocks, accessing moisture and organic matter from its surroundings. This remarkable adaptation allows the Jungle Succulent to flourish in its natural habitat where the ground may be shaded and nutrient availability limited.
Caring for Lepismium lumbricoides as a houseplant requires providing it with conditions that resemble its native rainforest environment. Here are some care instructions to help your Jungle Succulent thrive:
1. Light Requirements:
Lepismium lumbricoides prefers bright, indirect light. Place it near a window with filtered sunlight or in a spot where it can receive bright, indirect light for several hours each day. Avoid exposing it to intense, direct sunlight, as it may cause leaf burn or damage.
2. Watering:
Water Lepismium lumbricoides thoroughly when the top inch of the potting medium feels dry. Allow excess water to drain away to prevent waterlogging. As an epiphytic plant, it requires more moderate watering compared to typical succulents. Adjust the watering frequency based on the humidity levels and the moisture needs of the plant.
3. Soil and Potting Medium:
Use a well-draining potting medium suitable for epiphytic plants. A mix of orchid bark, sphagnum moss, and perlite works well for providing the necessary aeration and drainage. Avoid using heavy, water-retaining soils that may lead to root rot.
4. Humidity:
Lepismium lumbricoides thrives in humid environments. You can increase humidity levels by misting the foliage regularly or placing the plant on a tray filled with water and pebbles. Another option is to use a humidifier or create a pebble tray to provide a moist microclimate around the plant.
5. Temperature:
Lepismium lumbricoides prefers temperatures between 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C). Avoid exposing it to extreme temperature fluctuations or drafts, as they can stress the plant.
6. Fertilization:
Feed Lepismium lumbricoides with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer specifically formulated for cacti or succulents during the growing season. Follow the package instructions for dilution and frequency. Reduce or stop fertilizing during the dormant period.
7. Pruning and Maintenance:
Trim any dead or damaged foliage to maintain the plant's health and appearance.
With its trailing stems, vibrant green foliage, and resilience as an epiphyte, Lepismium lumbricoides brings a touch of natural beauty and uniqueness to your indoor space. By providing it with the right care, you can enjoy the captivating presence of this jungle succulent and marvel at its ability to thrive without needing soil to grow.
General Rhipsalis Information
Understanding a plant's native environment is extremely beneficial when it comes to taking care of it. Let's explore Rhipsalis' natural habitat -
Rhipsalis is native to the tropical rainforests of South America & Africa. What do we know about rainforests?
- Warm temperatures
- The temperature in the rainforest rarely falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- There is a significant amount of rain.
- Lots of rain leads to heavy humidity.
- Therefore, plants that live in the rainforest thrive in consistently moist soil & high humidity.
- Lots of rain leads to heavy humidity.
- Rainforests are composed of mostly trees.
- Tall trees create a canopy, which blocks the sun for the plants growing underneath.
- Therefore, plants that live under the canopy thrive in mostly shade & will be damaged by direct sunlight.
- Tall trees create a canopy, which blocks the sun for the plants growing underneath.
Of course this is a very simple breakdown of Rhipsalis' relationship to the rainforest, however, understanding this basic explanation can make caring for your plants easier!
SUMMARY OF BASIC NEEDS
Light
- Indoors: Bright - moderate indirect sunlight
- Outdoors: Mostly shade with morning sunlight
Water
- Keep soil lightly & evenly moist
- Avoid stagnant water!
- Mist regularly to emulate humidity or keep in a naturally humid space in your home, such as the kitchen or bathroom
- Water when top 1" of soil is dry
Soil
- Well draining
- Make sure container has a drainage hole
EPIPHYTIC PLANT
Another word you may keep hearing as it relates to Rhipsalis, as well as many other jungle succulents, is the descriptive classification of "epiphytic" or "epiphyte." Understanding what this means can be difficult when given the definition on its own, so we have written up a basic explanation of what it means to be an epiphyte that’s (hopefully) a little easier to understand …
As we all learned in grade school science class - plants require sunlight in order to produce food through a process called photosynthesis. & as we just discussed, in the tropical rainforest, plants on the ground have a very hard time receiving even the smallest amount of sunlight. In order to compete for light, these ground-level plants began to leave the bottom level of the rainforest & started climbing trees to find nooks along the tree trunk where they could comfortably live & where the sun could more easily reach. However, once the plant has found its ideal space in the tree, it has left the soil - its main source of water & nutrients - behind. To survive, these plants started to take in water & nutrients through their foliage, as well as their roots. Their roots were now responsible for obtaining these life sustaining elements from the small piles of organic matter found in the nooks they were residing in & their foliage could obtain them from the humidity, rain, & elements in the air. As they did so, these plants had successfully evolved into epiphytic plants!
By definition an epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water or from debris accumulating around it.
FLOWERS
One of the distinguishing factors of each Rhipsalis variety is the color & size of their flower, as well as where it blooms on the stem. These flowers are small, & for that reason they are considered "insignificant" on some plant sites. However! Seeing your plant bloom can be incredibly gratifying for the Rhipsalis lover.
Check out the bloom calendar to find out when this specific variety should expect flowers.
Pfeiffera, Lepismium, Hatiora, Pseudorhipsalis
The Rhipsalidae tribe includes four genera of epiphytic cacti: Rhipsalis, Lepismium, Hatiora, & Schlumbergera. Pfeiffera, on the other hand, is a synonym of Rhipsalis. Pseudorhipsalis is a genus of cacti that includes Discocactus. These are plants that look like Rhipsalis, however, they are classified under a different genra.
Ultimately, these names are casually interchanged when it comes to identifying Rhipsalis, though scientifically they have their own classifications.
- Warm temperatures