How to Grow Great Aporocactus

Growing unusual houseplants can be an enjoyable hobby. Among the plant group of succulents, there are many unique plants to choose from. A variety of succulent, known as aporocactus is not exception. Here are some tips to help you grow wonderful aporocactus to add to your collection.

Aporocactus is pronounced ah-POUR-o-kak-tus. It is from the family Cactaceae and the group Hylocereus. The aporocactus is a native of Southern Mexico and Central America.

The appearance of the aporocactus is quite interesting. It is made up of numerous pale-green stems that are snakelike in form. They are usually about half an inch in diameter and will grow up to 6 feet long. Each of these stems will have anywhere from 5 to 14 ribs. They will also have many small bristly spines. When they are new, the spines are a shade of pink. However, after maturing, they will fade to a horn-brown color. This plant will have aerial roots. This is because, in it's natural habitat, they were used to grip the trees where they grew. Because of the hanging form they are best grown in containers and used as hanging plants. Although, they can also be placed on pedestals or tables if given room to drape the stems.

The flowers of the aporocactus are pink to red in color. They have the form of a funnel. They will appear over the entire length of the stem during the spring, summer and fall months. Each flower can possibly grow from 2 ½ to 3 inches in length.

Aporocactus can be propagated by using stem cuttings. Occasionally they are grown using grafts of stems onto an upright cactus. This gives them support since they are a hanging plant. They require rich soil to be used in the containers they are grown in. They should be placed where they can get filtered sunlight. Keep the soil moist evenly through the container. These plants are very easy to grow and are recommended for beginners. Do not leave these plants outside during the winter months, as they cannot tolerate frost.

The most recommended species of aporocactus is A. flagelliformis. It is also known as rattail cactus. The flowers of this species are crimson-pink and the stems are long and slender.

Growing succulents in your home is a wonderful hobby. There are so many sizes, shapes, and forms to choose from you can fill your entire home with unique plants. Hopefully, these tips will help you grow lovely aporocactus for you and your family to enjoy.