How to Grow Zygocactus

While Zygocactus are native to cool, humid climates, they are adaptable to growing in most climates, provided there is protection from frost. During winter in cold climates, move them into a shade house or bring them indoors.

Choose a spot with filtered light or dappled shade. Indoors, Zygocactus should be positioned in bright to medium, indirect light. They may need to be moved in early autumn into lower light conditions to help stimulate flowering – even light from a streetlamp can inhibit flowering! If you can’t keep your Zygos in a dark place (at least 15 hours each night) experiment by covering it at night with an upturned cardboard box or similar. Also, don’t move plants once buds have formed – they hate any changes at this stage.

Zygocactus need a well-draining mix. Ideally, Zygocactus should be planted in pots or hanging baskets instead of in the garden. As epiphytes, water drains freely away from their roots, and this is difficult with regular garden soil. When planting in pots or hanging baskets, use a free-draining mix like Yates Specialty Potting Mix Orchids or Yates Specialty Potting Mix Cacti & Succulents.

Epiphytic plants like Zygocactus need minimal feeding. However, they will benefit from regular applications of a gentle fertiliser, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid Concentrate during growing and flowering season.

Water regularly after planting. Once established, Zygocactus are fairly tolerant of dry conditions but prefer to be watered regularly. Always check the mix before watering to see if water is required. To check, insert your index finger approximately 2.5-5 cm deep into the top of the mix. If it’s moist, leave watering for a few days; but if its dry, give your Zygocactus a good drink.

Mealy Bugs are common pests on Zygocactus. They look like fluffy white pieces of cotton wool on the stems or leaves. If sighted, spray with Yates Nature’s Way Vegie & Herb Spray. If you have a lot of plants to spray, consider using Yates Nature’s Way Vegie & Herb Concentrate, which can be mixed in a sprayer and is an economical way to treat multiple plants.

Zygocactus bloom in winter because their flowering is initiated by winter’s longer nights (or shorter days). Their flowering can be severely reduced by exposing the plants to additional light during the night (even household lighting). Move them to a dark spot or cover with an upturned cardboard box to help stimulate flowering.

As Zygocactus mature, the base of the stems become hard and woody. This is perfectly natural and there is no need to worry or do anything to the plants.

Zygocactus are perfect in pots or hanging baskets. A hanging basket allows the arching stems to hang down from the crown of the plant, just as they do from tree trunks in their natural habitat.

Choose a pot or hanging basket at least twice the width and depth of the root ball.

Position in dappled light or part shade.

Fill chosen pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Speciality Potting Mix Orchids or Yates Specialty Potting Mix Cacti & Succulents.

Remove the Zygocactus from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots. Position in hole in centre of pot and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down.

Water in well. Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.

Feed regularly during the growing season with Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid Concentrate.

Zygocactus are easy to grow from cuttings. Here's how:

Pieces of the flattened stems can be separated where the segments join and used for propagation. The cutting should be at least four segments long. Use a sharp pair of secateurs to take a few cuttings and place in a cool spot to dry for a couple of days.

Fill pots with Yates Specialty Potting Mix Cuttings & Seeds and push cuttings vertically into the pots.

Position in a well-lit, warm spot.

Water regularly to keep the mix moist. If you are using a saucer, pour the water out after watering so the pot doesn't sit in water, otherwise the mix will be too wet.

After a few months, roots will form and can be divided and grown in separate pots.