Quill-like Wickerware Cactus

Quill-like Wickerware Cactus (Rhipsalis teres)

Other Known Names: Pencil Cactus, Quill Cactus, Wickerware Cactus
Genus: Rhipsalis
Species: teres

Aesthetic Description

The Quill-like Wickerware Cactus (Rhipsalis teres) is a graceful and unusual epiphytic cactus with slender, cylindrical stems resembling quills or delicate twigs. These stems begin upright before gently arching and cascading into elegant, trailing forms, creating a striking visual display in hanging baskets or tall planters. Its fine, pencil-thin structure gives it a light, airy presence that contrasts beautifully against other succulents and foliage plants. Small, starry white flowers bloom intermittently along the stems, adding a soft, understated charm to its overall texture.

Colours

• Stems: Bright to medium green
• Flowers: Small, white to creamy white
• Fruit: Small, translucent to white berries

Scientific Description

Rhipsalis teres is an epiphytic cactus species within the family Cactaceae, native to tropical regions of South America. Unlike desert cacti, it thrives in shaded, humid forest environments, often anchoring itself to trees where it absorbs moisture and nutrients from the surrounding air and organic debris. The plant features terete (cylindrical) stems that may be erect, spreading, or pendulous, and it produces small, radially symmetrical flowers followed by translucent berries.

General Botanical Information

A distinctive member of the Rhipsalis genus, R. teres showcases the adaptability and diversity of epiphytic cacti. It is part of a group of tropical cacti that evolved to live high in the rainforest canopy, relying on humidity and filtered light rather than full sun. Its pencil-like stems make it ideal for hanging displays, while its minimal care needs make it suitable for both collectors and casual indoor gardeners. When in bloom, its delicate white flowers enhance its understated, elegant form.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Bright, indirect light; protect from strong midday sun

• Watering: Allow top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings; reduce watering in winter

• Soil: Well-draining mix, ideally a blend suited for epiphytic plants or cactus mix with added orchid bark

• Feeding: Monthly with a diluted, balanced fertiliser during the active growing season

• Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity

• Repotting: Every 2–3 years or when the plant becomes root-bound