Disocactus phyllanthoides (Pond Lily Cactus)
Botanical names: Disocactus phyllanthoides, Nopalxochia phyllanthoides, Phyllocactus phyllanthoides
Common names: Pond Lily Cactus, Deutsche Kaiserin,
Family: Cactaceae
Origin: Mexico
USDA Zone: 9-11
Cold tolerance: 25°F
Plant form: Large bush
Mature height: 5-10 ft
Sun exposure: Semi-shade
Cold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.

Watering: Regular; moderate; epiphyte. Needs light, frequent misting or soaking to stay hydrated.
Flower color: Pink
Suitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirdsDisocactus ackermanni, also called the Red Orchid Cactus, puts on a jaw-dropping show with huge, blazing red flowers that can reach 6 inches wide! It's a cactus that acts nothing like one - and then bursts out in flowers the size of your hand.
It blooms from spring through summer and steals the spotlight every time. The plant grows like a lush, green fern with flat stems that drape and cascade like a living chandelier.
It may be a cactus, but it loves water and shade - more diva than desert. Native to the tropical forests of Mexico, this epiphyte thrives in a hanging basket and turns heads wherever it grows.
Why do collectors search for it? Because it's rare, eye-catching, and just plain fun to grow. No spines, no drama - just bold flowers and easy charm. This is one of those plants that visitors always ask about. If you're a collector, it's not a want - it's a need. In cultivation, it has been confused with Disocactus jenkinsonii, a hybrid between D. phyllanthoides and D. speciosus.
Similar plants: Disocactus phyllanthoides (Pond Lily Cactus)

