Lepismium Bolivianum (Coral cactus) - H55 cm | Pot Ø17 cm
- Regular price
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€41,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€41,95
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Frequently asked questions
How do you propagate a Lepismium bolivianum? Cut a 10 cm stem with clean scissors, let it dry in open air for 24 hours to allow the cut to heal, then plant it directly in slightly moist substrate for epiphytic cacti. Place it in a bright spot without direct sunlight. Roots will appear in 2 to 4 weeks.
Why are the stems of my Lepismium softening or turning yellow? Soft or yellow stems most often indicate overwatering or poor drainage — check that the pot drains properly and reduce watering frequency. Dry, shriveled stems, on the other hand, indicate a lack of water or ambient humidity: increase watering and mist more often.
Shipping & packaging
Shipped within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 working days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection so your plant arrives in perfect condition
- Tracking link sent by email as soon as your parcel ships
- Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page
ZEN ARRIVAL GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us promptly at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- We will find the right solution for your situation
- No return needed — we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage in transit, plants severely weakened on arrival, and order preparation errors.
CARE TIPS ON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack your plant immediately and inspect it
- Let it acclimatize for 24-48h in a bright spot out of direct sunlight
- Check the soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting, if needed
- Keep it away from heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe the leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
🌿 Soft green trailing stems • 🎨 Elegant, airy cascading growth • ☀️ Partial shade • 💧 Moderate watering • 🌱 Fast growth • 🐾 Non-toxic • 📏 H55 cm | Pot Ø17 cm
The Lepismium bolivianum, also known as coral cactus, is a spectacular epiphytic cactus native to the humid tropical forests of Bolivia and South America. Its fine, branched, soft green stems gracefully grow in a cascade - a plant that surprises with its place in the cactus family while looking nothing like desert cacti. It appreciates humidity and partial shade, and can reach more than one meter in length when grown in a hanging planter.
Non-toxic, fast-growing, and very easy to propagate from cuttings. Pair it with trailing plants and cacti and succulents.
Light & placement
Lepismium bolivianum is a tropical forest cactus — its needs are radically different from those of desert cacti. It appreciates partial shade and humidity, and dislikes direct sun, which scorches its delicate stems. These conditions suit most trailing plants.
- Light: partial shade, bright indirect light - avoid direct sun.
- Ideal: hanging near a north- or east-facing window, on a high shelf, or in a bright bathroom.
- Temperature: 15 to 25 °C, without sudden fluctuations.
- Substrate: light, airy, and well-draining - potting soil for epiphytic cacti or orchids with perlite.
When hung up, its trailing stems create a spectacular cascading effect that can reach more than one meter in length - give it room to express itself.
Watering & care
Unlike desert cacti, Lepismium should never stay too dry for too long — its epiphytic roots are adapted to moderate, regular moisture. It is very easy to propagate: cut a 10 cm stem and plant it directly in moist substrate. Propagation from cuttings is easy in spring.
- Watering: moderate - let the surface of the substrate dry between waterings, but not completely.
- Frequency: approximately once a week in spring and summer, reduced in winter.
- Drainage: essential - use a pot with drainage holes and well-draining substrate.
- Humidity: appreciates 50 to 60% humidity - mist occasionally or place near other plants.
- Fertilizer: once a month in spring and summer with liquid cactus fertilizer diluted to half strength.
- Pruning: pinch the tips to encourage branching and a bushier growth habit.
During flowering - possible in optimal conditions - small white or pink flowers appear at the tips of the stems. A fleeting but fascinating display.
Decorating ideas & plant pairings
Its soft green trailing stems create elegant, airy vertical movement - a plant that naturally stands out when placed up high, in a hanging planter, or on a high shelf.
- Pairing: combine it with a Red Coral Rhipsalis or a String of Hearts Ceropegia for a trailing plant arrangement with complementary stems and textures. A reliable choice among decorative trailing plants.
- Ideal pot: a macramé hanging planter or a white hanging decorative pot — the contrast between the white and the soft green stems is particularly elegant.
- Atmosphere: perfect hanging near a window or on a high shelf - its stems can trail all the way to the floor in optimal conditions, creating a spectacular natural plant curtain.
Verdeia tips
- It is not a desert cactus - despite what its name might suggest, Lepismium lives in humid tropical forests, attached to tree branches. It needs indirect light, moderate humidity, and a light, well-draining substrate - not dry soil and scorching full sun.
- Fast growth when hung - placed up high, its stems lengthen quickly under the effect of gravity and can reach 80 cm to 1 m within a few months in good conditions. Pinch the tips regularly to achieve a denser, bushier growth habit rather than a few long, thin stems.
- Extremely easy to propagate - cut a 10 cm stem, let it dry in the open air for 24 hours, then plant it directly in slightly moist substrate. Roots appear within 2 to 4 weeks. It is one of the easiest plants in our catalog to propagate.
- Non-toxic - Lepismium bolivianum poses no risk to cats, dogs, or children - a rarity among epiphytic cacti.
Technical specifications
- Botanical name: Lepismium bolivianum
- Common name: Coral cactus, epiphytic cactus
- Family: Cactaceae
- Origin: humid tropical forests of Bolivia and South America
- Pot diameter: 17 cm
- Approximate height: 55 cm
- Mature size: trailing stems up to 100–150 cm long
- Light: partial shade, bright indirect light
- Watering: moderate, with the surface slightly dry between waterings
- Care: easy
- Toxicity to animals: non-toxic
- Decorative style: Tropical / Bohemian / Urban jungle
- Special features: soft green trailing stems, spectacular cascading growth, epiphytic cactus, fast growth, very easy to propagate from cuttings
Every plant is unique: the photos show a representative example. Stem length and foliage density naturally vary according to growing conditions and the season.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Orders ship within 48 working hours, with tracked delivery in 2 to 5 working days via DPD. Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page. You receive a tracking link as soon as your parcel leaves.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.