A lobed outline
Notches and rounded projections along the edges make each segment distinctive, rather than forming a simple green strip.
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Straightening is not my style 🌀
Family: Cactaceae · Pot diameter: 12 cm · Height: 20 cm
Rhipsalis Crispata 'amstel' brings green into motion, with broad, flat stems and wavy edges reminiscent of ribbons. Successive branches create a light, irregular silhouette, their curves adding depth and rhythm to every side of the plant.
As the stems lengthen, the shape becomes more trailing, revealing its outline above the rim of the pot. Its gentle green presence pairs with simple ceramics and natural materials, while small differences from stem to stem keep it interesting even in a display of quiet colours.
A different side of the cactus, with interest in both its overall shape and its smaller details.
Notches and rounded projections along the edges make each segment distinctive, rather than forming a simple green strip.
The prominent midrib emphasises the axis of the flat stems, creating a subtle contrast with their wavy sides.
The species produces small, pale flowers near the stem edges. They add a delicate detail without overshadowing its characteristic green form.
Why you will love it: it adds movement to a plant display without needing bold colour to catch the eye.
In a hanging pot or on a high shelf near a bright window, with room for the stems to trail freely. Filter strong sunshine with a sheer curtain. A simple matt pot lets the wavy outline stand out.
Create a group with plants that prefer indirect light and air that is not excessively dry. Keep each plant in its own pot, with its appropriate mix and separate checks for watering and seasonal needs.
A bright position with indirect light. Protect the stems from strong midday sunshine.
Water as the surface of the mix dries, before the entire root ball stays dry for long. Wet evenly and drain.
Gentle warmth, higher air humidity and light ventilation. Keep away from frost, radiators and cold draughts.
An ornamental plant, not for chewing. Keep trailing stems out of reach of animals that nibble plants.
Choose a bright east-facing window or filtered light in a sunnier aspect. If moved outdoors in the warm season, use a sheltered, partly shaded position and acclimatise gradually. Deep shade and scorching sun are unsuitable permanent positions.
Check the surface and the moisture a little deeper down. As the top layer dries, water the whole mix until water runs through the drainage holes, then empty the saucer or outer pot. Avoid constantly wet roots as well as prolonged complete dryness.
It prefers more humid air than desert cacti, with gentle air circulation. Avoid air-conditioning draughts and radiator heat. In a very dry room, a humidifier is more useful than increasing watering unnecessarily.
Keep it in a mild, sheltered indoor environment in winter. With less light and slower growth, the mix dries more slowly, so space watering further apart without leaving the plant dry for extended periods. It does not need the cold, almost waterless rest of a desert cactus.
It needs an airy mix that drains readily while retaining a little moisture between waterings, and a pot with drainage holes. The recommended Sybasoil Cacti & Succulent Premium Mix drains quickly: check drying more often in a warm position and follow this forest cactus's needs, rather than a cycle of prolonged drought.
Feed only during active growth, using Cactus & Succulent Focus according to its label. The recommended Sybasoil supplies initial nutrition for around 180 days, so additional feeding is not needed immediately after repotting. Repot when roots fill the available space, choosing a slightly larger pot and supporting the stems gently.
Rhipsalis crispata (Haw.) Pfeiff. is a species in the Cactaceae family. Its flattened stems create a different appearance from the slender, cylindrical stems of other species in the genus.
‘amstel’ is the commercial name under which this plant is offered. It does not indicate the species' native origin or a particular cross.
The wild species comes from eastern and southern Brazil. It is associated with forest habitats, where it can grow on trees as an epiphyte, as well as in rocky sites.
From natural habitat to care: the ecological reference here is wild Rhipsalis crispata. Its forest, often epiphytic way of life helps explain its need for air around the roots together with available moisture. In a pot, this translates into good drainage and filtered light, without treating it as a cactus from open desert.
The flattened segments are stems. Their shape is described as winged: two broad sides develop around a distinct central midrib.
Areoles, the characteristic growing points of cacti, sit in the notches between the lobes. Flowers can develop there, rather than at a random point on the flat surface.
Primary and later stems do not always have the same proportions. The botanical description distinguishes more elongated initial segments from broader, strongly wavy secondary segments.
More than one flower has been recorded at the same areole in this species. One areole does not necessarily correspond to just one flower.
Practical answers about this wavy forest cactus.
Not scorching midday sun. It is a forest cactus and prefers a bright position with indirect or filtered light. Acclimatise it gradually when changing position, particularly when moving from indoors to outdoors.
Do not leave the entire root system completely dry for a long period. Check when the top layer dries, water evenly and allow the water to drain. Frequency changes with light, temperature and the growing mix.
The same symptom can accompany a lack of water or roots that are struggling after prolonged wetness. Check the mix first: if it is still wet, do not add water. A soft, darkened base calls for checking the roots and drainage.
Choose a sheltered indoor position when cold weather begins. Do not treat it as a frost-hardy plant. Indoors it needs light and reduced watering, rather than a position beside a radiator.
The species can produce small, pale flowers on its stems. Flowering depends on maturity and growing conditions; it is not guaranteed on every plant or on a particular date.
They are flattened green stems, with a characteristic central midrib and wavy sides. Their leaf-like appearance does not change the plant's identity: it remains a true cactus in the Cactaceae family.
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.