Hatiora salicornioides

Hatiora salicornioides, Bottle Cactus, is a small ephyphytic cactus from the warm humid rainforests of southeast Brazil and is very similar in appearance to cacti of the genus Rhipalis which share this habitat. It has the same segmented elongated many-branching stems with tiny hairs instead of spines and enjoys the same moist yet well-drained conditions in a semi-shady aspect. It is slightly more upright in habit than most Rhipsalis but as it get larger it adopts a similar trailing form making it ideal as a houseplant especially in a hanging pot or in a well-positioned planter in a high vantage point. And unlike the white mistletoe-like flowers of most Rhipsalis, the flowers of Hatiora salicornioides are a bright lemon yellow.

Although epiphytic in its native range it is not hardy enough to grow outdoors through the UK winter although it can be placed to good effect on a palm or fern trunk or the crook of a tree-branch during the summer months as long as it is in the shade and can be kept moist. Keeping ephyphtic plants moist during the summer heat is often a challenge and it usually a good idea to wait until it is large enough to take some cuttings beforehand should things go drastically wrong or you forget about it whilst on holiday. A safe and sure houseplant it is perfect in indirect light in a warm humid atmosphere like a bathroom or kitchen windowsill. It is cold tolerant enough to grow in a cool frost-free glasshouse although a protective covering of fleece is a sensible precaution in most locations particularly during any extended spells of sub-zero temperatures.

Hatiora salicornioides gets it specific epithet from its resemblance to the genus Salicornia, the succulent, salt-tolerant marsh samphires.

Hatiora salicornioides is an easy to maintain houseplant that requires a minimum of attention providing it is kept on the moist side during the warmer months and isn't allowed to scorch in direct sunlight.