Species · genus Selenicereus · Cactaceae

Fishbone Cactus

Selenicereus anthonyanus (Alexander) D.R.Hunt

Also known as: Rick Rack Cactus

Growth habit

succulent epiphyte

Native range

Mexico Gulf, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest

Selenicereus anthonyanus — reference photo — Daderot · CC0

Cultivars of S. anthonyanus

The named forms growers keep — each with its own page, each honest about how much we know.

No named cultivars catalogued under S. anthonyanus yet. When growers document a stable, named form, it earns its own page here.

Guide

The species-level account. Cultivar pages build on this and say where they differ.

A Zig-Zag Jungle Cactus

Selenicereus anthonyanus is a fast-growing, tender epiphytic cactus, its slim stems branching in a jagged zig-zag pattern. It carries fragrant, showy pink flowers with white and yellow centres that open at night through spring and summer.

Source: RHS

From Southern Mexico

This species is native to southern Mexico, found across the Gulf, Southeast, and Southwest regions of the country. It grows as a succulent epiphyte, primarily within seasonally dry tropical habitat, rather than rooted in open ground.

Source: Kew

Woodland Rhythm, Not Desert

Give it partial shade at an east- or west-facing but sheltered window, rather than the full sun a desert cactus would want. Grow it in humus-rich, well-drained loam and water regularly through spring and summer, letting the topsoil dry between sessions, then cut back sharply in winter. A cactus feed during the growing months and a steady 16–24°C, never below 4°C, keeps it settled.

Source: RHS

Cuttings Root Readily

Propagation is most reliably done by cuttings taken in spring, though seed is also an option.

Source: RHS

Scale and Mealybugs

Watch for scale insects and mealybugs, the two pests most likely to trouble this plant. Beyond that, it is generally free of disease.

Source: RHS

Repot Every Other Year

This cactus asks for little pruning, but benefits from repotting every other year to refresh its soil and give the roots room.

Source: RHS

Care recipe

The species record — the baseline every cultivar inherits unless it says otherwise.

Care notes are early — not yet verified

Light: ai:claude-opus-4-8
Water: ai:claude-opus-4-8 (range 7-14d)
Humidity: ai:claude-opus-4-8
Soil: ai:claude-fable-5
Care: ai:claude-fable-5

Light

Bright, indirect

Water

≈ every 14 days

Humidity

Medium

Temperature

13–29 °C

Soil mix

Chunky, well-draining epiphytic cactus mix

Propagation

Stem cuttings left to callus, then rooted in a chunky mix

Fertilizing

Balanced cactus feed monthly through the growing season

Growth rate

Fast

Flowering

Large, fragrant night-blooming flowers in summer on mature plants

ToxicityAuthoritative · species

Not yet documented

This is where toxicity lives — every cultivar of this species inherits it and none can override it.

Reference images

Every image credited. Licenses link to their deeds.

Sources: ai:claude-opus-4-8 · ai:claude-opus-4-8 (range 7-14d) · ai:claude-fable-5

Kept true by its growers

Every fact here carries its source. Grow Fishbone Cactus yourself? What you’ve observed — how it drinks, how it holds its color, a name that’s off — and a clear photo of your plant are exactly what keep this page honest. Contributions are reviewed before anything changes.