How to Grow Zygocactus

Zygocactus are in the cacti family (Cactacae), but they are not desert plants. Instead, they grow as epiphytes or lithophytes – using their roots to cling onto trees and rock faces – in the humid subtropical and tropical forests in South America. So, despite being in the cacti family, they do not tolerate extended dry periods like their desert counterparts and prefer to be re-watered when the soil is near dry.

While Zygocactus are native to cool, humid climates, they are adaptable to growing in most climates, provided there is protection from frost. During winter in cold climates, move them into a shade house, sheltered deck or veranda or bring them indoors.

Choose a spot with filtered light or dappled shade. Direct sunlight, particularly harsh afternoon sun, can cause damage. Indoors, Zygocactus should be positioned in bright to medium, indirect light. They may need to be moved in early autumn into lower light conditions to help stimulate flowering – even light from a streetlight or indoor lighting can inhibit flowering! If you can't keep your Zygos in a dark place (at least 15 hours each night) experiment by covering it at night with an upturned cardboard box or similar to create complete darkness. Also, don't move plants once flower buds have formed – they dislike changes at this stage.

Zygocactus need a well-drained mix. Ideally, Zygocactus should be planted in pots or hanging baskets instead of in the garden. As epiphytes, water drains freely away from their roots, and this is difficult with regular garden soil. When planting in pots or hanging baskets, use a free-draining mix like Yates Specialty Potting Mix Orchids or Yates Specialty Potting Mix Cacti & Succulents.

Epiphytic plants like Zygocactus need minimal feeding. However, they will benefit from regular applications of a gentle fertiliser, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid Concentrate during flowering and periods of active growth.

Water regularly after planting. Once established, Zygocactus are fairly tolerant of dry conditions but prefer to be watered regularly, allowing the potting mix to almost dry out in between watering. Always check the mix before watering to see if water is required. To check, insert your index finger approximately 2.5-5 cm deep into the top of the mix. If it's moist, leave watering for a few days; but if its dry, give your Zygocactus a good drink.

Zygocactus are perfect for growing in pots or hanging baskets. A hanging basket allows the arching stems to hang down from the crown of the plant, just as they do from tree trunks in their natural habitat.

Choose a pot or hanging basket at least twice the width and depth of the root ball. The pot or basket should also have good drainage holes.

Position the pot or hanging basket in dappled light or part shade. Gentle morning sun is best, with protection from harsh afternoon sun. Indoors, Zygocactus should be positioned in a room with indirect medium to bright light.

Choose a good quality potting mix like Yates Speciality Potting Mix Orchids or Yates Specialty Potting Mix Cacti & Succulents. These both have good drainage, which Zygocactus need.

Part-fill the chosen pot with potting mix. Remove the Zygocactus from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots. Place the root ball on the potting mix and backfill around the roots with potting mix, gently firming down. The final level of the mix should be at the same level as currently around the plant. Water in well to settle the potting mix around the roots.

Depending on weather conditions, water deeply, once or twice a week. Zygocactus prefer to almost dry out in between waterings. Don't allow water to sit in pot saucers as excess water can cause the roots to rot. Feed during the growing and flowering seasons with a gentle fertiliser such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid Concentrate.

Do you know someone with a beautiful Zygocactus? They're easy to grow from cuttings! Here's how:

Pieces of the flattened stems can be separated where the segments join and used for propagation. The cutting should be at least two leaf segments long. Use a sharp pair of secateurs to take a few cuttings and place in a cool spot to dry for a couple of days.

Fill small pots or trays with Yates Specialty Potting Mix Cuttings & Seeds and push cuttings vertically into the pots.

Position the pots or tray in a warm, well-lit spot.

Water regularly to keep the mix just moist. If you are using a pot saucer, pour the water out after watering so the pot doesn't sit in water, otherwise the mix will be too wet and the cutting may rot.

After a few months, roots will form and can be divided and grown in separate pots.

Mealy Bugs are common pests on Zygocactus. They look like fluffy white pieces of cotton wool on the stems or leaves. If sighted, spray with Yates Nature's Way Vegie & Herb Spray. If you have a lot of plants to spray, consider using Yates Nature's Way Vegie & Herb Concentrate, which can be mixed in a sprayer and is an economical way to treat multiple plants.

Zygocactus bloom in winter because their flowering is initiated by winter's long dark nights (or shorter days). Their flowering can be severely reduced by exposing the plants to additional light during the night (even household lighting). Move them to a dark spot or cover with an upturned cardboard box to help stimulate flowering.

As Zygocactus mature, the base of the stems become hard and woody. This is perfectly natural and there is no need to worry or do anything to the plants.