Exposure & placement

The Lepismium Bolivianum appreciates Partial shade with bright indirect light. Unlike desert cacti, it poorly tolerates direct sunlight which burns its delicate stems.

• Exposure: Partial shade, bright indirect light, avoid direct sunlight.
• Ideal: hanging near an east or north-facing window, high shelf, bright bathroom, or office.
• Temperature: 15 to 25 °C, without sudden fluctuations.
• Substrate: light, airy, and well-drained, potting soil for epiphytic cacti or orchids with perlite.

Verdeia Tip: when hanging, its trailing stems create a spectacular cascading effect that can reach over one meter in length.

Watering & care

• Watering: moderate; let the substrate dry out on the surface between waterings.
• Frequency: about once a week in spring-summer, reduce in winter.
• Drainage: essential — use a pot with drainage holes and a very well-draining substrate.
• Humidity: prefers 50-60% humidity, mist occasionally or place near other plants.
• Fertilizer: once a month in spring-summer with a liquid cactus fertilizer diluted by half.
• Size: pinch the tips to encourage branching and a bushier growth habit.

Unlike desert cacti, Lepismium enjoys moderate humidity — never let it dry out completely for too long.

Decor ideas & plant pairings

With its soft green trailing stems, the Lepismium Bolivianum brings a touch of lightness and tropical freshness to your urban jungle. It creates a spectacular airy and cascading focal point.

• Pair with: Rhipsalis, Hoya, Ceropegia, Tradescantia, or other trailing plants to create a suspended urban jungle.
• Ideal pot: macramé hanger, suspended decorative pot in white ceramic, or woven basket to highlight the cascading effect.
• Atmosphere: perfect hanging near a window, on a high shelf to let the stems cascade, in a bright bathroom or office.

The trailing stems create an elegant vertical movement that adds depth and dynamism to your decor.

Verdeia Tips

• Easy to care for — perfect for beginners with epiphytic cacti.
• Fast growth — enjoy a plant that grows quickly and creates a spectacular cascading effect.
• Avoid direct sunlight — burns delicate stems (it’s not a desert cactus).
• Likes humidity — unlike desert cacti, it prefers moderate humidity.
• Pinch the tips — encourages branching and a bushier growth habit.
• Repot every 2-3 years in spring into a slightly larger decorative pot.
• Very easy to propagate — cut a stem and plant it directly in the substrate.
• Non-toxic to animals — safe for cats and dogs.
• Can produce small white or pink flowers under optimal conditions.
• The stems can reach over one meter in length — spectacular when hanging.

Technical characteristics

• Botanical name: Lepismium bolivianum
• Common name: Lepismium Bolivianum, Coral cactus, Epiphytic cactus
• Family: Cactaceae
• Origin: humid tropical forests of Bolivia and South America
• Dimensions at delivery: Ø17 × H55 cm
• Adult size: trailing stems up to 100–150 cm long
• Exposure: Partial shade, bright indirect light
• Watering: moderate, allow surface to dry between waterings
• Care: easy (perfect for beginners)
• Toxicity for animals: non-toxic
• Decorative style: Tropical / Bohemian / Urban jungle
• Particularity: tender green trailing stems, spectacular cascading habit, fast growth, non-toxic, very easy to care for

Each plant is unique: the photos show an example of its appearance. The length of the stems and the density of the foliage naturally vary depending on growing conditions and the season.