---
title: "My local succulent nursery said to look up beaver tail and when I do…"
description: "My local succulent nursery said to look up beaver tail and when I do nothing is resembling this. The app says it’s climbing cactus. Can someone clear up my…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/Q0MK6OneiTvsTAz9pQbPBx"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "Kasandra"
published: "2024-12-09T23:26:05.070319Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/vmtRjLjRGYajivaOZm7FiSpBXWI-8FwUue6YPDxDuPs/fYQ1xN-bTM-_1p5VDwRY7A.webp?size=large"
---

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# My local succulent nursery said to look up beaver tail and when I do…

_Posted by Kasandra on 2024-12-09_

My local succulent nursery said to look up beaver tail and when I do nothing is resembling this. The app says it’s climbing cactus. Can someone clear up my uncertainty?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/vmtRjLjRGYajivaOZm7FiSpBXWI-8FwUue6YPDxDuPs/fYQ1xN-bTM-_1p5VDwRY7A.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### Wolfen 🐺 commented on 2024-12-10

Beaver tail cactus is a Epiphyllum Crenatum... a lot of Epiphyllum are called orchid cactus. They usually have gorgeous flowers. I haven't gotten my orchid cactus cuttings from grandma to flower yet though

#### Sunny replied on 2024-12-10

My epiphyllum flowered after it was close to 3 years old with branches about 2 ft long. It flowered several times a summer after that.

#### Wolfen 🐺 replied on 2024-12-10

These are younger cuttings, they're only about a foot long. But a lot are staying skinny and not flattening out. I haven't decided if it's age or I'm doing something wrong haha.

### Sunny commented on 2024-12-10

It’s an Epiphyllum Crenatum. It’s nicknamed beavertail cactus Iike a variety of prickly pear cactus. It’s a different variety from the ric-rac/fish bone/zig zag types that have deep cut edges.

Epiphyllums are tree climbing cacti. There hundreds of them producing lotus like flowers in many colors and sizes.  
They are called jungle cactus because the tropics are their natural environment. They cling to trees to get to sunlight. They get rain water runoff through aerial roots on the trees. They can handle more water than the typical desert cactus. But, they hate roots in standing water. Better to water less than more.

#### Kasandra replied on 2024-12-10

I was going to plant this in a raised bed, but it sounds like eventually I may need to repot it and have it by itself. I guess I’m in for a surprise, which is usual for me. I’m a new succulent mom.

#### Kasandra replied on 2024-12-10

Now that you told me the species, I found a picture that looks like it in bloom ☺️

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/vmtRjLjRGYajivaOZm7FiSpBXWI-8FwUue6YPDxDuPs/D5BRRADoQfqMff9JQZ__Xw.webp?size=large)

#### Aroidmama replied on 2025-12-28

Thanks Sunny, you’re more knowledgeable than Siri and Google put together. Question, would our E. Crenatum cacti enjoy something to climb? My cuttings are still quite short and very young, but I’m curious..🧐

#### Sunny replied on 2025-12-29

They are natural climbers. But, they do fine dangling from a hanging basket like a Christmas cactus. 🪴🍀

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