Care Guide for the Monkey Tail Cactus
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The Monkey Tail Cactus (cleistocactus colademononis and formerly known as hildewintera colademononis) is an easy to grow, prickly plant known for its long, cascading shape with white, fuzzy hair-like spines. Ideal as hanging plants or trailing from a shelf, the stems will drape over the edges of their pot growing as much as a foot a year. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this cactus is its vibrant, red flowers that sprout throughout the entire growing season. Unlike other cacti that just give you one flower or require perfect growing conditions to bloom, this cactus will reward you with endless blooms with very little work on your part.
Originating in the mountains of Bolvia, these are epiphytic plants meaning instead of growing in soil they can be found growing out of the cracks of rocks or cliffs in their natural habitat. Monkey Tail Cacti are succulents so therefore store their water inside their stems and do not require frequent watering. This is perfect if you are gone a lot for work or just forget to water. Each plant is made up of 3-5 stems that will branch out as it grows. Stems can be up to 3 inches thick and reach lengths of 8 feet in the wild though 4 feet indoors is more likely. This cactus make look white however it is yellow-green. Depending on what varietal you have this may be less or more obvious as the length of the white spines can densely cover the surface of the plant making it hard to tell.
Common Naming Confusion
This plant is commonly confused with other species of cactus due to its trailing nature.
Rat Tail Cactus (aporocactus flagelliformis) - Probably the most confused with a Monkey Tail Cactus, the Rat Tail Cactus is also yellow-green but has short, golden, prickly spines versus the long, white, hairy spines of the former. Its stems are skinnier, up to 1 inch, and it reaches lengths of 3-6 feet. It blooms very similarly to a Monkey Tail, most commonly in red, but can get pink or orange blooms.
Dog Tail Cactus (strophocactus testudo) - This species is is a medium green with ridges of white spines. New growth appears as very skinny trailing stems that thicken as they mature. Dog Tail Cacti grow in the jungle natively, wrapping around trees and can reach huge lengths of 10 feet. Their blooms are fragrant and white, sometimes pink, and resemble orchids.
How to Care for your Lipstick Plant
SOIL: As mentioned earlier, Monkey Tail Cacti are epiphytic and therefore do not need soil. This also means their root systems are shallow. A fast draining soil is essential for this plant to not become water logged. Buy a cactus mixture or create your own by mixing potting soil. perilite and sand.
TEMPERATURE: This cactus likes warmer climates but can withstand colder temperatures (down to 20°F) due to its native mountain environment. Although it can handle cold, if you have this growing outside its best to bring it inside when temperatures get below freezing. That being said, it is always best to avoid sudden changes in temperature for your plants like cold, drafty windows or AC units. Since the root system is shallow it means it’s close to the surface and therefore exposed to the cold air. Mulch or vermiculite can help protect the roots if you keep this outside.
HUMIDITY: Monkey Tail’s can handle a good amount of humidity compared to other cacti. If your house is on the humid end then you need to water your plant less as the cactus will utilize the moisture in the air. During the winter you want to avoid excess humidity, so maybe avoid placing it in your bathroom.
LIGHT: As expected, these cacti need bright light. Due to my location being so far north, I have my Monkey Tail Cactus hanging in a west window where it is extremely happy. However, if you are farther south, such as Florida, your plant may do well with bright but indirect light. The best way to tell is the color of the cactus. If it is a light green than it needs more light. If it is a yellow-green than it is happy. Same goes for its blooms. If you are rewarded with lots of blooms than you can assume it is happy.
WATER: During growing season you can water your cactus weekly just be careful to not overwater. When in doubt underwater. Remember that the stems store water so can experience long periods without water. As the plant enters dormancy in fall and winter it will use these reserves so you only need to water every couple weeks and very lightly.
FERTILIZER: Lightly fertilizing once a month during growing season can help encourage growth and blooms but it is not essential. Fertilizing during winter and fall is not necessary.
Common Questions
POTTING- You need to use a below average pot size because the roots take up less space per plant ratio. If you were to use a larger pot the extra soil retains more water and can lead to root rot (a death curse for cacti)
- Using a heavy, square pot will keep your pot from tipping over. The weight of the trailing stems can easily flip the pot resulting in some decapitated Monkey Tail’s (this has happened to me and my mom)
- When freshly potting your plant it is common that the weight of the stems pull the plant out of the soil. Until it gets settled, add rocks on top of your soil.
- If your plant is outside for colder temperatures (remember to bring inside once it reaches freezing) you can add mulch or vermiculite to the top of the soil to help protect the roots since they are close to the surface.
PESTS: This plant can get infestations of mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Use rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip or a cotton ball or an insecticidal soap to kill the insects. Then apply a gentle insecticide like neem oil to prevent another infestation.
PROPAGATION: I learned how to propagate these through my accidental decapitation (see potting above) by it falling off my shelf and once by closing a window on a stem. You take the “cut” off stem and allow it to dry for a couple days. This will form a callous over the open end. Then plant the calloused end into a pot of soil and water. Humidity can also help the roots form faster.
SEEDS: Alot of these plants are gone via seed.
PETS: This plant is toxic to pets and humans however since it is covered in spines pets should be deterred from even messing with it. Plus if you have it hanging or trailing from a shelf it will probably be safely out of a cats snooping reach.
FLOWERS: These stunning red flowers should start sprouting in spring and last till late summer. Mine is still blooming and its the end of September. The blooms will grow over a week, eventually opening but only remaining so for a day or two becore getting droopy and falling off. My plant generally would have 2-3 blooms at a time but in August had 8. Ensuring enough sunlight means your plant should bloom for you.
The blooms on this plant really do bring me joy. Everyday I pull back my curtains and I will be surprised by another bloom or two sprouting out. Although the blooms are short-lived they are stunning. Even during winter though those plant is truly adorable. I may be biased towards fluffy tails but its soft appearance is quite lovely. Tag me on Instagram with your Monkey Tail babies @thegreenmadhouse and let me know if you have any questions below.
Get Yourself a Monkey Tail Cactus and Hanging Planter
