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Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus – 4 Key Similarities!

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What things settle down the battle of Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus? Do you know? How can Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus be differentiated? Dog Tail Cactus is often thought of as Rat Tail Cactus due to their impressive resemblance. Both of them have skinny and long, trailing stems.

Both plants can enhance the aesthetic appearance of your home as they are really attractive by nature. If placed in hanging baskets and containers, they offer vibrant ornamental looks to your home.

They can be used to enhance your garden and decorate your home with their aesthetic ornamental appearance. 

While growing, a similar appearance makes it challenging for people to choose one in Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus.

If you’re confused with a hairy looking cactus plant with long stems to be one in Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus, we got you covered in this article. Stay till the end to decide for yourself which one’s best suited for you.

This article provides you with the relevant information as well as similarities and differences in Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus.

What actually is Dog Tail Cactus?

Dog Tail Cactus is a species of cactus that is polymorphic and named scientifically as Strophocactus testudo. This cactus grows natively in South America’s tropical rainforest.

It is among the most seeked plants that ask for the least amount of attention and are suited to grow indoors as well as outdoors.

Dog Tail Cactus are epiphytic in nature (air plants) and have long, trailing stems. It consumes nutrients directly from air and blooms perfectly if it receives good sunlight.

This helps them grow on the ground and also above other plants. Thus, they are a popular plant for hanging baskets and containers.

 Overview of Dog Tail Cactus

Scientific Name:Strophocactus testudo
Common Name:Dog Tail Cactus
Size of Plant:Three (3) meters
Sunlight Exposure:Partial to full shade
pH of Soil:Varieties (lightly acidic to neutral)
Time to Bloom:Summer
Humidity:Maximum 50%
Temperature:39°F – 80°F
Flower:White
Dog Tail Cactus Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus 2
Dog Tail Cactus via Reddit

What is Rat Tail Cactus?

Rat Tail Cactus, a common name for a cactus plant scientifically named Discocactus flagelliformis. It falls under the Cactaceae family of the Disocactus genus. This cactus grows natively in Mexico and central as well as southwestern parts of America.

Rat Tail Cactus is an easy growing cactus plant suited for busy gardeners. A little amount of care and attention is enough for this plant to bloom properly. It is the most popular cactus cultivated by gardeners and plant lovers.

This houseplant can be grown as an ornamental plant to enhance the appearance of your home. They project a distinctive look if planted on hanging baskets or pots to enhance the looks of your home.

Overview of Rat Tail Cactus

Scientific Name:Disocactus flagelliformis
Common Name:Rat Tail Cactus
Plant Size:2 – 6 meters
Sunlight Exposure:Full sunlight
Soil Type:Organically rich potting soil
Time to Bloom:Spring – Early summer
Colour of Flower:Orange, Pink, Violet-Red
Rat Tail Cactus Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus 2
Rat Tail Cactus via Reddit

Similarities Among Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus

If you’re confused on which cactus plant among Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus to have in your home, knowing about the similarities and differences might help you. The key similarities amidst Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus can be seen below.

1. Drought Tolerant

Both the plants among Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail cactus are very tolerant to drought. They do not ask for frequent watering.

2. Least Care

Be it either Dog Tail Cactus or Rat Tail Cactus, none demand a large amount of care and attention. They are very easy growing cactus plants.

3. Epiphytic

Both of the Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus are epiphytic plants in nature. They are air plants that have long, trailing stems, due to which they are usually grown in hanging baskets and containers.

Rat Tail Cactus can be grown on the ground and also on larger trees. It is a flowering plant as well. Dog Tail Cactus can grow both indoors and outdoors due to its ability to grow by hanging on trees or baskets.

4. Pest Resistant

Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus are both resistant to pests and diseases. You can use insecticides even if attacked by pests to keep them away.  

Differences Among Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus

The knowledge of differences present in Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus will surely help you decide the one to have in your garden. You might even want to have both of them.

1. Growth Requirements

Dog Tail Cactus grows well with the mix of peat, sandy and organic matter in the soil. A pH level between slightly acidic to neutral does the job. Rat Tail Cactus just demands a cactus potting mix to grow well.

Rat Tail Cactus prefers direct sunlight, due to which it doesn’t require frequent watering, which is not the same for Dog Tail Cactus as it needs partial to full shade for better growth. Dog Tail Cactus can be propagated from seed as well as stem, but Rat Tail Cactus needs the stem cut and planted to grow.

2. Temperature

Dog Tail Cactus thrives in a temperature below 85°F. It doesn’t prefer a temperature above 85°F. On the other hand, for Rat Tail Cactus, any temperature in the range of 40°F to 90°F is tolerable due to the hardiness it possesses.

3. Growth Time

The time taken by Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus to grow is not a significant difference as they both usually grow at the same time. However, Rat Tail Cactus grows pretty fast than Dog Tail Cactus in some cases.

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Conclusion

It might be somehow challenging for you to decide between Dog Tail cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus with less amount of research.

You would find it difficult knowing which one to choose among Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus due to various similarities between these plants. People often confuse Dog Tail Cactus with a Rat Tail Cactus and vice versa.

Luckily this article not only provides you with an insight into the characteristics of these cactus plants but also the similarities as well as differences between them.

This article can help you achieve rewarding results if you choose to own any of the plants between Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus.

Hopefully, this article is of great value to you while you decide to have a plant between Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus.

Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Tail Cactus Vs Rat Tail Cactus

How to take care of a Dog Tail Cactus?

You can place your Dog Tail Cactus in full or partial sunlight for a minimum of four hours per day and water it once a week or when the soil dries out. Spoil the soil with a low-nitrogen and a high-phosphorous fertilizer twice a year.

How to take care of a Rat Tail Cactus?

Rat Tail Cactus demands bright sunlight even when they are in their early growth phase. These plants grow well in a low humid and warm room. Keep the plant away from drafty areas, and also don’t let them dry between watering.

Does a Dog Tail Cactus hurt?

These cactus plants add an aesthetic attraction to your house if planted in hanging baskets and containers. Keeping these plants above the ground is essential as the small spines lined on their cylindrical leaves can hurt your pets and small children. These spines grow downwards.

How to identify a Rat Tail Cactus?

Rat Tail Cactus have a unique look. The plant’s colour is green when young but becomes beige with age. It has trailing stems that grow almost six feet when matured. The diameter of these stems is half an inch.

Why is my Dog Tail Cactus turning yellow?

The most common reason for your Dog Tail Cactus turning yellow is the plant being too wet, and in the worst case, the root might be rot. This yellowing thing starts at the bottom and spreads to the top very soon.

The plant becomes soft and mushy on touching. These are an indication of root rot. It becomes harder to recover and save your plant if it occurs.

How often should you water a Rat Tail Cactus?

You can water your Rat Tail Cactus every ten days or so, depending upon the size of the plant. However, the plant prefers dry soil and can survive for five weeks even without water during the wintertime.

Why is my Rat Tail Cactus turning black?

The reason for your Rat Tail Cactus turning black is due to fungal diseases. It includes phyllosticta pad spot, crown rot and bacterial necrosis.

You should remove the affected areas to stop the infection from spreading to other areas of the plant and also to other neighbouring plants. This might help you recover your plant and avoid its death.