Rat Tail Cactus Plant: How to Care for a Rat Tail Cactus

The rat tail cactus, or rattail cactus (Disocactus flagelliformis or Aporocactus flagelliformis), is a flowering succulent plant native to Mexico and South America. It has tubular, trailing stems that are similar to those of the monkey tail cactus, and the vibrant red and pink flowers make the rat tail cactus an attractive hanging houseplant. The rat tail cactus can be a good choice if you want a low-maintenance indoor cactus or unique plant for your garden.

The rat tail cactus is relatively easy to maintain, provided you choose the right location and mind the temperature of its environment throughout the year. Here are some actions you can take for proper rat tail cactus care:

• Choose the right pot. Owners will often place the cactus in a hanging basket to allow the long stems to descend freely as they grow. This arrangement also accentuates the plant’s drooping columns if you’re trying to add visual appeal to a room or corner of your garden.
• Fertilize well. To stimulate the growth of your cactus, you can add a half-strength dose of liquid fertilizer bi-monthly during the growing season. The growing season for a rat tail typically falls between spring and early summer.
• Propagate occasionally. Rat tail shoots can grow up to one foot per year under prime conditions. If your plant grows too long, you can cut the stems to propagate new plants. Simply cut off a piece of the stem and let it dry for a few days. Then replant the stem cuttings in a pot with well-draining soil or a cactus soil mix.
• Provide full sun. Since rat tail cacti are native to USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11, you can try to place your plant in full sunlight to imitate these dry desert conditions. A window location is a good placement option, as a window can provide your cactus with the direct sunlight and normal room temperatures it needs to thrive. Be wary of placing your hanging cactus in a high-traffic area because each stem has numerous spines that can poke a passerby.
• Treat problems immediately. Rat tail cacti are extremely hardy plants that can grow in arid climates, capable of taking root in the crevices of trees and cliffs. But issues can arise in an interior environment, such as root rot and spider mites, which can devastate a cactus quickly. So even though mature plants turn brown naturally, be on the lookout for signs of pests or overwatering. Once the first signs of root rot appear, you can save the plant if you repot the cactus in a different container with a new potting mix.
• Use adequate soil. You can plant these succulent plants in a pot lined with sphagnum moss and then filled with potting soil, or your preferred potting mixture.
• Water regularly. These cacti benefit from consistent watering during most of the year. However, during the wintertime, you can relocate the plant to a cooler area of your home and water less frequently to replicate the natural rest period the plant would undergo in nature.

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