Thornless, hair-like sprigs of rhipsalis spill over the rim of a hanging pot, while zamioculcas sends up thick stems ridged with pairs of lush, shiny green leaves that can reach three feet indoors. Both are succulents that shrug off shade, glaring light and a forgotten watering, provided the pot always drains freely.
Not only does their out-of-this-world leafage impress guests and visitors, but caring for these trendy leaf plants is as easy as can be!
Let’s take a closer look at these two beautiful plants.
A succulent plant that’s a member of the Cactaceae family, rhipsalis comes from tropical forests of the South and Central Americas.
It’s also found on certain islands of the Indian Ocean and in some parts of Africa, where it thrives on shady tree trunks.
There are a host of different colors and shapes. Each variety boasts various possible leaf thicknesses and fleshy meat. They all have one point in common: no thorns at all, and long sprigs that give the plant a “hairy” look.
Native to East African rocky plains, the Zamioculcas plant produces thick stems ridged with pairs of thick, lush, shiny green leaves. Since it’s used to arid seasons, it won’t throw a fit if you forget to water it every now and then.
Both are easy-going succulents, but they are not used in the same way indoors. This table sums up what the two trendy leaf plants share, and where they differ.
| What to look at | Rhipsalis | Zamioculcas |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Copes with shade as well as very bright spots | Copes with shade as well as very bright spots |
| Watering | Moderate, once a week; every fortnight in winter | Moderate, once a week; every fortnight in winter |
| Soil and drainage | Never waterlogged; drain the tray after watering | Never waterlogged; drain the tray after watering |
| Air humidity | Dislikes dry air; mist with soft water | Dislikes dry air; mist with soft water |
| Where to put it | High up, hanging pot or shelf, for cascading stems | On the floor or a table; up to 3 feet (1 metre) in a large pot |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings in heath soil and sand, or in water | Stem cuttings in heath soil and sand, or in water |
In short, the care is nearly identical; the choice comes down to whether you want trailing stems overhead or an upright plant at eye level.
These care-free plants, rhipsalis and zamioculcas can survive both shade and extreme light. They only require moderate watering, once a week, or even only every fortnight in winter. Both abhor wet, waterlogged soil. Always check that there’s a way for excess water to drain away instead of gathering at the bottom of the pot. Don’t let any water linger in the tray or pan under the pot when you’ve finished watering.
Set your rhipsalis up high, in a suspended pot or atop a shelf. Its cascading leafage will fill you with joy. If stems get too long, trim them.
You can spur the growth of your zamioculcas by giving it a large pot. It can reach 3 feet (1 meter) tall. If you’d rather keep it small, just keep it in its original pot. You can add a little fertilizer during the growth phase (summer) to provide nutrients. From time to time, run a moist sponge or rag along the leaves to remove dust and recover their shine.
In both cases, you’re dealing with tropical plants that don’t really like dry air. In winter, heating tends to dry the air up indoors. It’s best to group your plants together and mist them with soft water on a regular basis.
Rhipsalis stems easily grow from cuttings in a mix of acidic heath soil and sand. Same thing for zamioculcas stems. Alternatively, simply let them sprout roots in a glass of water, among other ways to propagate Zamioculcas.
Laure Hamann, minor edits by Gaspard Lorthiois
