The Ric Rac Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger), often called the Fishbone or Zig-Zag Cactus, is a distinctive houseplant beloved for its unique, wavy stem structure. This tropical epiphyte, which naturally grows on trees in the humid forests of Mexico, develops long, flattened, and deeply lobed stems that create its signature zig-zag appearance. When new growth emerges as thin, pencil-like strands instead of the expected wide, flat segments, it signals a significant environmental issue. This stretching and thinning is a common symptom in jungle cacti, and understanding the cause is the first step toward restoring the plant’s characteristic healthy foliage.
Characteristics of Healthy Ric Rac Growth
The healthy, mature stems of the Ric Rac Cactus are succulent and flat, featuring pronounced, angular lobes that resemble a fishbone or ric-rac trim. These flattened stems, known as cladodes, are the plant’s modified leaves, which are responsible for photosynthesis and water storage. The plant’s natural habitat as an epiphyte, growing beneath a dense forest canopy, means it is adapted to moderate, filtered light and high humidity, which dictates its ideal growth habit indoors. When conditions are met, new growth should quickly broaden into these wide, wavy segments, often cascading beautifully from a hanging pot.
Diagnosing Skinny New Growth
The primary cause for the appearance of thin, skinny stems on a Ric Rac Cactus is a phenomenon called etiolation, which is triggered by insufficient light. Etiolation is the plant’s attempt to locate a brighter light source, causing it to expend energy on vertical growth at the expense of developing the thick, flat structure. The resulting new growth is pale green, elongated, and lacks the characteristic width and defined lobes of a healthy stem. The plant sacrifices its natural compact form for length. Because the Ric Rac Cactus is a jungle species, it requires bright, indirect light, but if it is placed too far from a window or in a deeply shaded area, the light intensity falls below the necessary threshold for proper growth. While factors like over-fertilization can sometimes exacerbate rapid, weak growth, a light deficiency is the overwhelming reason for the signature skinny, stretched appearance in this specific type of cactus. The etiolated portion of the stem is weaker, more susceptible to damage, and cannot perform photosynthesis as effectively as the mature, flat segments.
Adjusting Light and Care for Recovery
Correcting etiolation requires immediately moving the plant to a location with significantly brighter, but still indirect, light. The ideal placement is near a south or west-facing window, where the plant receives filtered sun for several hours, or near an east-facing window that provides soft morning sun. If natural light is limited, a dedicated grow light positioned 6 to 12 inches above the foliage can provide the necessary intensity for healthy growth. It is important to acclimate the plant gradually to prevent the sudden onset of sunburn, which appears as brown or reddish scorch marks on the skin.
Appropriate watering and nutrient management supports the plant’s recovery and helps encourage robust new stems. Since the Ric Rac Cactus is a tropical epiphyte, it prefers more consistent moisture than desert cacti; allow the top one or two inches of soil to dry out completely between thorough waterings. During the active growing seasons of spring and summer, a light application of a balanced liquid fertilizer, perhaps once a month, provides the nutrients needed to support the production of thick, wide stems. Maintaining good air circulation and providing at least 40% humidity can further mimic its rainforest origins and promote faster, healthier development.
Long-Term Management of Skinny Stems
The stretched, skinny stem that has already formed due to etiolation will not magically thicken or flatten out, regardless of how much light the plant receives. Etiolation is a permanent structural change, meaning the thin section will remain narrow and weak. While these skinny portions are not detrimental to the plant’s overall health once the light issue is fixed, they are often considered unattractive and can be structurally unsound, making them prone to breakage. The most effective long-term management strategy is to prune off the etiolated growth to redirect the plant’s energy toward producing healthy, flat stems. Using a sterile blade, cut the stem just above the point where the healthy, wide growth began, allowing the cut end to callous over for a few days. This pruning encourages the plant to branch out and initiate new, properly formed cladodes under the corrected light conditions. Leaving the skinny stems is an option if you prefer the plant’s current shape, but understand that new, healthy growth will emerge above the thin section, creating a noticeable “pinched waist” appearance.