Rat Tail Cactus
The Aporocactus flagelliformis (rat tail cactus, rat's tail cactus) has thin weak stems (usually about a half inch in diameter) that can grow five feet long and hang down over the sides of its pot.
Cactus Image Gallery
Aporocactus flagelliformis. See more pictures of cacti.
The rat tail cactus needs bright light and coarse heavy soil with excellent drainage. Drench and let dry, but water more sparingly during the winter. Air that is too dry can encourage red spider; air that is too moist can encourage rot.
In winter, keep the plants cold and dry to encourage blooming. In Mexico they grow at high altitudes where the night temperatures are very brisk. In rural areas the dried flowers are used medicinally. They are often planted in the open end of a cow's horn, making an interesting decoration.
This is an old-timer which is probably more often acquired as a cutting from a friend than through purchase.
Cactus Profiles
Aeonium Melocactus Agave Mountain Cereus Alluaudia procera Nananthus schoonesii Calibanus hookerii Rat Tail Cactus Crassula Rebutia Echeveria Sedum Elephant Bush Senecio Eulychnia saint-pieana Spider Cactus Ferocactus Stapelia Foxtail Asparagus Fern Tephrocactus Gasteria Torch Cactus Haageocereus chrysacranthus Trichodiadema olearea Holiday Cactus Yucca Kalanchoe
Caring for your cactus:
- Cactus Care
- Light Requirements of Cactus Plants
- Water and Humidity Requirements of Cactus Plants
- Temperature Requirements of Cactus Plants
- Fertilizing Cacti
- Preventing Cacti Pests and Diseases
- Potting Cactus Plants
- Propagating Cacti
- Arranging Cactus Plants
- House Plants
- Gardening