Mermaid Tail Cactus

Purple (8-12" tall) / Isabella (6.25" wide) / Lavender

$119

Mermaid Tail Cactus

Name: Mermaid Tail Cactus
Brand: The Sill
SKU: BN-EUP-LTP-6-IS6LAV
Price: 119.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)

Bright Direct Light 1-2 in./yr Growth

With coral-like curves and striking form, the Mermaid Tail Cactus is a rare, easy-care plant that thrives in bright light.

$119

Pick a Plant Color: Purple (8-12" tall) Purple (8-12" tall) Green (8-12" tall)

Pick a Planter: Isabella (6.25" wide)

Isabella

Grow Pot

Pick a Color: Lavender

Our plant experts recommend:

Moisture Meter

Measure moisture, pH levels, and light

$19

Mermaid Tail Cactus Information

About & Sizing

About The Mermaid Tail Cactus

The Euphorbia Lactea Crested 'Mermaid Tail', also referred to as 'Coral Cactus', is a uniquely shaped succulent prized for its intricate, crested growth pattern that mimics the elegant tail of a mermaid. This rare cultivar thrives in bright light and is perfect for those seeking a distinctive, conversation-starting piece to their rare plant or cactus collection. Choose from vibrant green or mystical purple!

Note: Our cacti aren’t cuttings—they’re fully rooted plants! This means they’re already established and ready to thrive in their new home. Succulents naturally have shallow roots, so don’t be surprised if that’s what you see, it’s a completely natural trait!

Each plant is unique; size and shape fluctuate by season so all measurements are shown as a range
Medium plants measure 8-12 inches tall from bottom of the grow pot to the top of the foliage
Arrives in a nursery grow pot nestled in your planter choice

Sizing Guide

Small

Approximately 5" in diameter, fits plants in a 4" grow pot or smaller

Medium

Approximately 7" in diameter, fits plants in a 6" grow pot or smaller

Large

Approximately 10-12" in diameter, fits plants in a 10" grow pot or smaller

Massive

Approximately 12-14" in diameter, fits plants in a 12" grow pot or smaller

Care Guide

Watering Requirements

Water every 2-3 weeks in direct light, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light.

Sunlight Requirements

Thrives in bright direct light, but can tolerate bright indirect light.

Humidity Requirements

Cacti prefer low humidity levels, so it's best to keep them in a dry environment. Avoid placing them in a bathroom or other area with high humidity, as this can cause fungal diseases to develop or the soil to remain moist for too long.

Pet-Friendly Plant?

No, this plant is not recommended in homes with pets.

Read our full care guide

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Crested succulents have incredibly compact tissue folds that make them highly susceptible to trapping moisture, which can lead to stem rot at the soil level. They also have weak, inefficient root systems. Growers cut the crested top and graft it onto a rot-resistant rootstock that helps to feed the mermaid crest above!

Why is my Mermaid Tail Cactus grafted to a different stem?

Crested succulents have incredibly compact tissue folds that make them highly susceptible to trapping moisture, which can lead to stem rot at the soil level. They also have weak, inefficient root systems. Growers cut the crested top and graft it onto a rot-resistant rootstock that helps to feed the mermaid crest above!

The most reliable way to water succulents is the "soak and dry" method. Instead of watering on a strict calendar schedule, only water when the soil has completely dried out from top to bottom, which could be anywhere between 1-3 weeks depending on environmental conditions. Typically, during the growing season (spring & summer) you may water every 7-10 days, whereas in the dormant season (fall & winter) you may see watering reduced to every 2-4 weeks.

How often do you water a Mermaid Tail Cactus?

The most reliable way to water succulents is the "soak and dry" method. Instead of watering on a strict calendar schedule, only water when the soil has completely dried out from top to bottom, which could be anywhere between 1-3 weeks depending on environmental conditions. Typically, during the growing season (spring & summer) you may water every 7-10 days, whereas in the dormant season (fall & winter) you may see watering reduced to every 2-4 weeks.

If your wavy crest suddenly sprouts a straight stem, your plant is experiencing reversion. The plant's cells are trying to default back to their wild, non-mutated growth pattern. You can prune away the reversions immediately by pruning them off at the base. If left untouched, the straight branches may outcompete and eventually crowd out the slow-growing mutation.

What should I do if my Mermaid Tail grows a normal, straight branch?

If your wavy crest suddenly sprouts a straight stem, your plant is experiencing reversion. The plant's cells are trying to default back to their wild, non-mutated growth pattern. You can prune away the reversions immediately by pruning them off at the base. If left untouched, the straight branches may outcompete and eventually crowd out the slow-growing mutation.