The Hurricane Cactus, scientifically known as Lepismium cruciforme, is an epiphytic cactus that captures attention with its hanging branches and delicate flowers. Lepismium cruciforme is native to South America, spanning Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. This species is predominantly found in tropical and subtropical forests, such as the Atlantic Forest and semi-deciduous forest, adapting to a wide range of environmental conditions, from sea level up to altitudes of 3,937 feet (1,200 meters).
The genus name “Lepismium” comes from the Greek lepis, meaning scale, referring to the small scales present on the areolas of these cacti. The specific epithet “cruciforme“, comes from Latin, meaning “cross-shaped”, a reference to the cross-sectional surface of this cactus’s angled stems.
The Hurricane Cactus exhibits a remarkable growth capacity both as an epiphyte (growing on tree forks and trunks) and as a lithophyte (growing in rock crevices where debris and dry leaves accumulate), adapting to live in humid environments with considerable variation in lighting, given its prevalence under the dense canopy of forests.
This species features segmented (articulate) succulent branches, with about 3 to 5 ribs, with dimensions reaching up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) in length by 0.4 to 2.8 inches (1 to 7 cm) in width. The edge of the branches is crenate, and the ribs can be winged or flattened. On these edges are the areolas, sunken, with a tuft of fine white trichomes (hairs) on each. It does not have thorns. The Hurricane Cactus grows as both a hanging plant and as a climber or creeper, emitting adventitious roots from the areolas that help its attachment to different substrates.
The coloration of the branches varies from olive green, under the forest canopy, to intense magenta, when exposed to full sun. In addition to the typical form, there is also a form known as Lepismium cruciforme f. spiralis, characterized by its spiral stems, providing an even more dramatic and sculptural look to this fascinating species.
The Hurricane Cactus blooms from September to June, with flowers that bloom at night and remain open during the day, a strategy that facilitates pollination by different types of pollinators almost all year round. The flowers of Lepismium cruciforme emerge laterally, being bell-shaped and varying in color between pink and white. The flowers appear in numbers of 1 to 5 flowers per areola, with a size of 0.4 to 0.5 inches (10 to 13 mm) in length.
The fruit of this plant is subglobose, measuring approximately 0.24 inches (6 mm) in diameter, and varies from pink to red, with gelatinous pulp, while the tiny seeds present a brown color and measure from 0.04 to 0.06 inches (1 to 1.5 mm) in length, completing the life cycle of this fascinating species. Despite their small size, these fruits are edible and sweet, earning them the name of mini-pitaya. They are quite attractive to birds, which take care of their dispersion.
In landscaping, although not widely used, the Hurricane Cactus has great potential as an ornamental, with long stems that can vary from green to magenta, depending on sun exposure. Its hanging branches spill languidly from pots, making it ideal for cultivation in hanging baskets, where its graceful shape can be appreciated on balconies, patios, porches, well-lit interiors, or hanging from pergolas and arbors.
Moreover, it is an excellent choice for rock gardens or to add texture and color to succulent arrangements in pots, as well as in vertical gardens. Although it is not common to find this cactus commercially, the Hurricane Cactus is very popular among succulent collectors and urban junglers, who appreciate its sculptural aspect and proudly cultivate pots full of the plant.
The Hurricane Cactus is relatively easy to grow, provided some essential conditions are met to simulate its natural environment. It prefers partial shade or filtered sunlight, avoiding direct midday sun exposure. An ideal location would be receiving morning sun and afternoon shade. However, to obtain the characteristic magenta color in the branches, it is important that the plant receives full sun. Keep in mind that the plant growing under stress has a slightly slower development than those growing under filtered light.
This cactus is capable of tolerating a wide range of temperatures but thrives in environments that offer a mild to warm climate during the day and cooler at night. Ideally, daytime temperatures should be between 64°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C), while nighttime temperatures may drop slightly, thus promoting a natural cycle that benefits the plant’s development.
Although it can briefly withstand frosts and temperatures of up to about 27°F (-3°C), prolonged exposure to intense cold can damage the plant. But it is precisely in the coolness of subtropical and tropical winter that it will acquire the characteristic magenta tones. For gardeners in temperate regions with freezing winters, it is recommended to grow the Hurricane Cactus in pots that can be moved to protected environments or indoors during the colder months. This allows the plant to be kept in ideal temperature conditions, avoiding the risk of cold damage.
The ideal potting mix should be well-draining, with characteristics intermediate between potting mix for cacti and succulents, and potting mix for epiphytic plants, such as orchids and ferns. This means that it should be rich in organic matter, but at the same time, perfectly drainable. In addition to obtaining an ideal substrate by mixing these two types of ready-made potting mixes, you can prepare a homemade mix including equal parts of garden soil, sand, perlite, and organic compost, with the addition of composted pine bark or coconut husk to increase drainage and aeration.
Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to completely dry out between waterings, to avoid root rot. Reduce watering during the winter. However, as an epiphytic plant, the Hurricane Cactus appreciates ambient humidity, which can be provided through regular sprays or misting systems, especially in indoor environments where the air tends to be drier. Alternatively, it is possible to cultivate it near plants that transpire a lot, such as ferns and maidenhair ferns.
Fertilization can be done with a diluted liquid fertilizer, applied every four to six weeks during the growing season, to promote healthy plant development and abundant flowering. Another option is the use of fertilizers specific for cacti and succulents, or slow-release fertilizers, like the cote type (basacote or osmocote).
Propagation of Lepismium cruciforme can be carried out by seeds or cuttings. Propagation by seeds begins with the collection of ripe fruits, which present a bright pink to red color. The seeds must be carefully extracted from the fruit and washed to remove the sticky pulp, a natural mechanism of the plant to adhere the seeds to surfaces where they will germinate.
After cleaning, the seeds should be dried in the shade and sown superficially in a substrate kept moist, usually composed of a mixture of garden soil, sand, and organic material, or substrates specific for germination like Carolina Soil. Germination occurs between 30 to 60 days, depending on temperature and humidity conditions. During this period, it is crucial to keep the substrate slightly moist but not waterlogged, so as not to compromise the development of the seeds, which is quite slow.
Propagation by cuttings is a more efficient and quicker way to multiply the Hurricane Cactus, although this method yields a smaller number of plants. This method consists of cutting segments of mature branches, approximately 3.1 to 5.9 inches (8 to 15 cm) in length, and letting them dry for a few days until the cut forms a callus. After healing, the cuttings should be planted in a substrate similar to that used for seed sowing, burying about 0.8 to 1.2 inches (2 to 3 cm) of the base of the cutting.
It is important to keep the substrate slightly moist but not waterlogged, to stimulate the development of roots. Under ideal conditions, the cuttings will begin to root in a few weeks, and new growths can be observed in a few months. Propagation by cuttings has the advantage of producing plants that grow faster and become adult sooner than those obtained from seeds, although germination allows obtaining a much larger number of plants.
While plants germinated from seeds may take 4 to 5 years to begin fruiting, those obtained by cuttings can fruit in just 1 to 2 years, making this method particularly attractive for those who desire quicker results.
