How to Care for Orchid Cacti

Prepare a potting mix before you begin. The Amateurs' Digest suggests a blend that is 50 percent potting soil, 20 percent sand and 30 percent peat. If your potting soil has more peat, reduce the amount of peat. This potting mix works well for epiphyllum, since the sand helps the drain water from the soil and the peat mimics the jungle matter from the plant's native environment. Do not use garden soil since it likely contains pests.

Determine where you will place your hanging planter. Install a nail or S-hook if you need to. The plants prefer a shade environment with indirect, partial sunlight. Since the orchid cactus produces long shoots that drape, the plant is particularly suited for hanging baskets. Fill the planter one-third of the way with your potting mix.

Remove your orchid cactus from its plastic container. Break up the roots gently with your fingers. Plant the cactus in the container and fill up the rest of the container with soil. Water the plant thoroughly. When the water finishes dripping, hang the plant in its location.

Water your orchid cactus enough so that the soil is never totally dry. You don't want to water so much that the roots rot, which is why you need sandy soil and a container with holes in the bottom. When the top of the soil feels dry but crumbs of dirt still cling to your hand, it's time to water.

Bring the orchid cactus plant indoors for the winter in you live in areas that receive temperatures below 40 degrees F. You can place the plant near an artificial light source and turn the plant light during daylight hours.