Habitat: Central and South America, Asia, eastern and western Africa, Madagascar, Ceylon.
Description: a wide genus of highly decorative plants comprising many different epiphytic, forest species. They develop numerous, spineless, mostly drooping stems made up by leathery articles from which aerial roots may arise. The small flowers appear along the stems from winter to spring. There are a few synonyms within Lepismium. According to some scholars, Pfeiffera should be considered synonymous with Rhipsalis.
Soil: fertile mix or orchid compost with a pH of 6.
Location: place in shade or indirect light; it would be ideal to grow them under a tree during the warm months.
Temperature: the minimum should stay around 10-12°C (50-54°F).
Water: never let the soil dry out. In the summer water regularly while in the winter just keep the substrate evenly moist.
Cultivation tips: some species are slow-growing, some fast and some others grow during the autumn or the winter. They all enjoy high atmospheric humidity so spraying some water is beneficial particularly during the vegetative period. Fertilize once every two weeks and propagate from seed, cuttings or by division.
Main species of Rhipsalis: Rhipsalis capilliformis; Rhipsalis cassutha; Rhipsalis cereuscola; Rhipsalis crispata; Rhipsalis fasciculata.