Repotting guide

When & how to repot Ric Rac Cactus (Disocactus anguliger)

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

More about ric rac cactus

About Ric Rac Cactus

Disocactus anguliger · also called Ric rac cactus, Fishbone cactus · houseplant

The ric rac cactus is an epiphytic jungle cactus from the cloud forests of Chiapas, Mexico, prized for its flat, deeply notched zigzag stems that trail like fishbones. Unlike desert cacti, its defining need is bright but indirect light with a freely draining yet moisture-retentive mix that is watered when the top few centimetres dry out.

Mature size: Stems trail to around 90-100 cm (3 ft) over several years, with individual stems typically 1-3 cm wide; the plant stays relatively compact in height but spreads and cascades widely.

Watch for — Root rot from overwatering: The single most common killer. Soft, brown, collapsing stems and a sour-smelling mix mean the roots have rotted. Let the top few centimetres dry between waterings, use a gritty free-draining mix, and never let the pot sit in a saucer of water.

How to tell ric rac cactus needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For ric rac cactus, 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 ric rac cactus

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Ric Rac Cactus's growth habit — 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. — sets the pace. The ric rac cactus is an epiphytic jungle cactus from the cloud forests of Chiapas, Mexico, prized for its flat, deeply notched zigzag stems that trail like fishbones. Unlike desert cacti, its defining need is bright but indirect light with a freely draining yet moisture-retentive mix that is watered when the top few centimetres dry out.

What size pot to step ric rac cactus up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Ric Rac Cactus 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 ric rac cactus

Spring or summer, while ric rac cactus 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 ric rac cactus

Repot dry. Do not water ric rac cactus 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 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 ric rac cactus 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 ric rac cactus 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 ric rac cactus

Ric Rac Cactus wants free-draining epiphytic cactus mix. Use a peat-free cactus or houseplant compost loosened with orchid bark plus perlite, pumice or grit. The bark mimics the leaf-litter and tree-bark pockets it roots into in the wild, while the grit and perlite keep the mix airy and fast-draining so the fleshy roots never sit wet. A pot with generous drainage holes is essential. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting ric rac cactus — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot ric rac cactus?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for ric rac cactus. Repot ric rac cactus every 2–3 years into a snug pot of 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 ric rac cactus need?

When is the best time of year to repot ric rac cactus?

Should you water ric rac cactus after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot ric rac cactus 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 ric rac cactus after repotting?

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