Propagation guide

How to propagate Ric Rac Cactus (Disocactus anguliger) — step by step

Also called Ric rac cactus, Fishbone cactus, Zigzag cactus, Fishbone orchid cactus, St Anthony's rik-rak.

The best way to propagate ric rac cactus

The reliable, beginner-friendly way to propagate ric rac cactus is nodal stem cuttings in water or soil. It suits this species because of how it grows: a trailing, much-branched epiphytic cactus with flattened, leaf-like green stems cut into deep, alternating lobes that give the classic fishbone or ric rac silhouette. stems arch then cascade, making it a natural choice for a hanging basket or high shelf. mature plants flower in autumn.. Easy from stem cuttings and no node is needed. Snip a healthy stem segment at least 7-10 cm long with clean, sharp scissors, then leave it in a dry, shady spot for a few days until the cut end callouses over. Insert the callused end into barely moist cactus mix, keep it lightly moist and warm in bright indirect light, and roots usually form within a couple of weeks. Spring and summer give the quickest results.

For the wider picture of which technique suits which plant, our guide to plant propagation methods compares water, soil, leaf, division and offset propagation side by side.

Step-by-step: propagating ric rac cactus

Find a node. Locate a node on a healthy ric rac cactus vine — the small bump where a leaf or aerial root meets the stem. New roots only emerge from nodes, so every cutting must contain one.
Take the cutting. With clean, sharp scissors cut about 1 cm below the node at a slight angle. Aim for a 10–15 cm cutting with 2–3 nodes and one or two leaves at the top.
Strip lower leaves. Remove leaves from the bottom node(s) so the bare nodes can sit in water or soil. A submerged leaf rots and fouls the water.
Root it. Stand the cutting in a glass of room-temperature water with the node(s) covered, or push it into moist potting mix. Place in bright indirect light. Change the water every 4–5 days.
Pot up. When the new roots are 3–5 cm long (usually 2–4 weeks), pot the cutting into a small container of free-draining epiphytic cactus mix and keep it slightly moister than normal for the first fortnight.

The alternative method

If the main route does not suit your plant or setup, soil propagation (skip the water glass) is the next best option for ric rac cactus. Push the nodal cutting straight into moist potting mix instead of water — the roots that form are soil-adapted from day one, so there is no transition shock, though you cannot watch progress through the glass.

Timeline to roots

Realistically: roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks. These numbers assume spring or summer warmth and bright indirect light. In a cold, dark room — or in winter dormancy — the same ric rac cactus propagation can take twice as long or stall completely, so do not panic if progress looks slow out of season. Patience beats poking: disturbing a forming root system to “check” on it is a common way to set it back.

Common failure points

Taking a cutting with no node — leaves alone never root, no matter how long they sit in water.
Letting the water go stagnant; refresh it every 4–5 days or the cut end slimes and rots.
Potting up water-rooted cuttings too late — long, brittle water roots struggle to adapt to soil. Move them at 3–5 cm.
Propagating off a stressed, pest-ridden or recently-repotted ric rac cactus — always take material from a healthy, established parent.

When to do it

The best window is spring and summer (active growth). Propagation is energetically expensive for a plant, and it only has the spare resources to build new roots when it is already growing actively, warm and well-lit. Out-of-season attempts are not pointless, but expect lower success and a longer wait.

Aftercare

For the first two to three weeks after potting, keep the new ric rac cactus slightly moister than you would a mature plant and out of direct sun while the young roots adapt from water (or cutting medium) to soil. Hold off all fertiliser until you see a flush of new top growth — feeding a rootless cutting only burns it. Match the parent's needs as the new ric rac cactus settles: As a forest epiphyte, it grows under a tree canopy, so it wants bright, indirect light rather than harsh sun. An east- or west-facing window, or within about three metres of one, is ideal. More than two hours of strong direct summer sun scorches the flat stems, leaving bleached or brown patches, while too little light produces thin, leggy growth that rarely flowers.

Ric Rac Cactus propagation — frequently asked questions

What is the best way to propagate ric rac cactus?

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil is the most reliable method for ric rac cactus. The best way to propagate ric rac cactus is a stem cutting taken just below a node. A cutting must include at least one node — the leaves alone will not root. Place the node in water or moist soil in bright indirect light. Roots appear in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks.

Do you need a node to propagate ric rac cactus?

Yes — absolutely. Roots only emerge from a node, so every ric rac cactus cutting must include at least one. A length of stem or a leaf with no node will sit in water indefinitely and never root.

How long does it take ric rac cactus to root?

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks. Timing varies with warmth and light — propagations move fastest in spring and summer when the plant is in active growth, and can stall almost completely in a cold, dark winter.

What is the best time of year to propagate ric rac cactus?

Spring and summer (active growth). Root and shoot development is metabolically demanding, so propagating during the active growing season gives noticeably higher success rates and faster results than attempting it in dormancy.

Can you propagate ric rac cactus in water?

Yes — ric rac cactus roots readily in a glass of water as long as a node is submerged. Water propagation is the most beginner-friendly route; just move the cutting to soil before the water roots get long and brittle (around 3–5 cm).