Repotting guide

When & how to repot Rhipsalis 'Cashero' (Rhipsalis cassutha)

Also called Mistletoe Cactus.

More about rhipsalis 'cashero'

About Rhipsalis 'Cashero'

Rhipsalis cassutha · also called Mistletoe Cactus · houseplant

Rhipsalis cassutha, the Mistletoe Cactus, is a spineless epiphytic jungle cactus with slender pencil-thin green stems that cascade in dense tangles. Native to tropical forests, it wants bright indirect light and more water than a desert cactus. Easygoing and pet-safe, it makes an elegant trailing hanging-basket plant with small translucent berries.

Mature size: Trailing stems reach 60-120 cm (2-4 ft) or more over time, forming a dense cascade.

How to tell rhipsalis 'cashero' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For rhipsalis 'cashero', watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot rhipsalis 'cashero'

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Rhipsalis 'Cashero''s growth habit — pendant, much-branched epiphytic cactus forming a curtain of slender, segmented, spineless stems that trail and tangle. mature plants produce small cream flowers followed by translucent white or pinkish mistletoe-like berries, best shown in a hanging basket. — sets the pace. Rhipsalis cassutha, the Mistletoe Cactus, is a spineless epiphytic jungle cactus with slender pencil-thin green stems that cascade in dense tangles. Native to tropical forests, it wants bright indirect light and more water than a desert cactus. Easygoing and pet-safe, it makes an elegant trailing hanging-basket plant with small translucent berries.

What size pot to step rhipsalis 'cashero' up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Rhipsalis 'Cashero' stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot rhipsalis 'cashero'

Spring or summer, while rhipsalis 'cashero' is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting rhipsalis 'cashero'

Repot dry. Do not water rhipsalis 'cashero' for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty airy, free-draining epiphytic / cactus mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set rhipsalis 'cashero' at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep rhipsalis 'cashero' completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for rhipsalis 'cashero'

Rhipsalis 'Cashero' wants airy, free-draining epiphytic / cactus mix. Use an open epiphytic blend: orchid bark, perlite or pumice, and some coir or potting mix. A standard cactus mix lightened with bark works well. The goal is moisture-retentive yet fast-draining and well-aerated, mimicking a forest branch. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting rhipsalis 'cashero' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot rhipsalis 'cashero'?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for rhipsalis 'cashero'. Repot rhipsalis 'cashero' every 2–3 years into a snug pot of airy, free-draining epiphytic / cactus mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does rhipsalis 'cashero' need?

When is the best time of year to repot rhipsalis 'cashero'?

Should you water rhipsalis 'cashero' after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot rhipsalis 'cashero' into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise rhipsalis 'cashero' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting rhipsalis 'cashero'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.