If you wish to have some creative succulents in your collection? Then, this simple growing guide of Mermaid Tail Cactus awaits you!
From the name, we can predict that the Mermaid Tail cactus looks like a ‘fishtail’. With very few demands, this plant is perfect for both beginners and experts. Plus, it can be a cherry on top for your plant collection!
Mermaid Tail Cactus—Key Facts
| Name | Senecio vitalis, or Euphorbia lactea ‘Cristata’ |
| Common Names | Mermaid Tail cactus, Cristata cactus |
| Origin | South Africa |
| Dimension | 1-2 ft. tall and 3-5 ft. wide |
| Indoor/ Outdoor | Both |
| Soil | Well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 60°F to 75°F or (16°-24°)C |
| Watering | Once in a week or when the upper layer of the soil dries |
| Sunlight | 4-6 hours of direct sunlight |
Mermaid Tail Cactus Plant Information
As unique as its appearance The Mermaid Tail cactus has many secrets to unfold! This cactus is not a real cactus, rather it is a mixture of cactus and succulents. This coral-like succulent is native to South Africa and has long, thin stems with tiny greenish-purple leaf curves at the edges hence, it looks like a mermaid’s tail.
And again some of them also resemble the human brain. Moreover, it is a very low-maintenance houseplant and very easy to grow and care for.
Just a heads-up, the Mermaid Tail Cactus can have a sap that’s a bit toxic. It’s best to wear gloves when handling it and keep it out of reach of pets and kids!
Mermaid Tail Cactus Propagation
This easy-to-maintain plant can be propagated easily with stem cuttings. You need to wear a pair of gardening gloves and a sharp sterilized cutter and you’re good to go! Carefully, snip off the stem section with a few leaves on it and transfer it to a well-drained soil mixture pot. Lastly, place this pot in a bright area with indirect sunlight, and voila! Congratulations on your new Mermaid Tail!
Mermaid Tail Cactus Pot Size
Basically, it differs according to the size of your plant. If your Mermaid Tail is a small or baby plant, then you need a small to medium-sized pot of around 5-6 inches tall and 2-3 inches wide in dimension. This is generally a slow-growing plant so you need not worry until 1 year for a new pot transplantation.
Again, if the plant is big enough then you need to plant it in a large pot, around 10 inches tall and 8-10 inches wide in dimension. Although, you do not need to re-pot it frequently.
Tip: Always use pots with drainage holes to avoid waterlogging!
Requirements to Grow Mermaid Tail Cactus
Sunlight
This plant loves the sun! It can stand a full day of direct sunlight although for healthy growth, it needs 4-6 hours of direct sunlight every day. So, make sure your Mermaid Tail is in a bright sunny spot!
Soil
Similar to almost all succulents and cacti, this plant also requires a light and airy soil mixture. Along with sandy soil and cocopeat, you can add perlite into your soil mix to fulfill its needs. Besides, dried husk is also used nowadays for making succulent soil mixtures. You can give it a try!
Watering
Despite the name like that of an aquatic plant, the Mermaid Tail cactus is a rather drought-tolerant one! And like many other cacti and succulents watering is preferred only if the upper layer of the soil has entirely dried out.
Temperature
These plants are at their best in warm and dry climates with temperatures ranging from 60 to 75°F or 16-24°C. And since it is a winter-growing cactus, it grows pretty well in low temperatures and can survive up to 30-40°F or (-1-4°C) and becomes dormant in summers. Lastly, if the climate is too dry, you might use a humidifier to balance it in between 40%-50% humidity.
Mermaid Tail Cactus Care
Fertilizer
Being very low maintenance they need the least care in terms of adding fertilizers. The best way to add fertilizer to such plants is during planting it for the first time or repotting. Besides, the soil mix should contain NPK of half strength and you can leave them without fertilizing for a year.
Pruning
Mermaid Tail cacti don’t require frequent pruning as they grow very slowly. However, if you are planning to propagate some Mermaid Tails then you can cut some stems from the mature plants (if any).
Pests and Diseases
This beauty is a super cool houseplant for every gardener! Besides being a beautiful, low-maintenance plant it is also a pest-resistant plant. Amazing, right? Just make sure your plant is in a bright and sunny area rather than a dark spot, or else mealybugs and spider mites can become susceptible to it.
In such cases, you can spray an insecticidal solution or neem oil over the affected areas and keep the plant under the shade for a few days after applying the spray.
So, if you liked the read, please share your opinions on this beautiful cactus. Also, if you are planning to grow it in your home or garden, do let us know in the comments!
