How To Care For Fishbone Cactus (Selenicereus anthonyanus)

A fishbone cactus is easy to care for, durable, and fast-growing which makes it ideal for beginners.

But before you can enjoy their unique foliage in your home or garden, you need to learn how to take care of them correctly.

This detailed care guide is designed for you to learn how to grow a fishbone cactus successfully. You’ll discover their ideal environment, the best soil and fertilizer, how to water them, the sunlight, temperature, and humidity requirements, and much more.

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The fishbone cactus (Selenicereus anthonyanus) is an epiphytic plant native to the tropical rainforests of Mexico. In nature, it anchors itself in the nooks of trees and absorbs moisture and nutrients from the air and rain.

The flat leaf-like branches climb or drape and feature alternating notched lobes that resemble a fish skeleton, giving the plant its common names zig zag and fishbone cactus. The branches average about 3’ in length, 6” wide, with up to 2” smooth lobes on either side.

They are fast-growing, low-maintenance plants that can take a fair amount of neglect and still survive.

There is only one true type of Selenicereus anthonyanus. But, the foliage shares a similar appearance with an Epiphyllum anguliger, or ric rac cactus, and they are sometimes referred to by the same common name.

While closely related, the fishbone cactus is technically a different plant, and has wider, longer lobes that are more jagged and spaced further apart, as well as different colored flowers.

Once it matures, your plant can produce nocturnal flowers. The blossoms will open for just a single night during late spring or summer, but only if the plant gets 6 or more hours of bright light in early spring.

These fragrant orchid-style blooms are 4-5” wide on