Lepismium bolivianum
A semi-shaded location or diffused light will be best for the plant.
Water a few days after the substrate has dried out. Reduce watering in winter.
Tolerates +1.7 °C °C. The plant is not frost-resistant.
It grows as an overhanging epiphyte high up in the trees of the mountain forests of South America.
Lepismium bolivianum is an epiphytic cactus also known as Pfeiffera boliviana or Rhipsalis boliviana. In nature, it grows attached to trees, where it is not rooted in soil but uses the host plant only as support. This is reflected in its light structure and naturally trailing growth habit.
The plant forms a hanging mass of long, repeatedly branching stems that can reach lengths of up to about 90 cm. Individual stems are green, flattened, and in places slightly four-angled, usually growing up to around 30 cm long and about 2 cm wide. The overall appearance is light, trailing, and gradually becoming denser.
The flowers are small, creamy white to pale pink, and appear in spring and early summer. They are subtle but become noticeable when present in larger numbers among the stems.
Lepismium bolivianum requires a well-draining substrate with an organic component, a bright position without harsh midday sun, and regular but moderate watering. The substrate should not remain waterlogged for long periods. Thanks to its trailing growth, it is very suitable for hanging containers, where it can freely develop its characteristic form.