Easter Lily Cactus Echinopsis oxygona

Easter lily cactus is native to Brazil and Argentina and is a member of the cactus family (Cactaceae). It may be found growing on walls and rocky areas in grasslands and forests of its native habitat. This plant has a clumping or mat-forming habit, and its stems are short, rounded to cylinder-like and ribbed with black spines. It is fast-growing and measures up to 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide. The epithet is Latin for "sharp angle" and refers to the angular ridges on the stem.

Easter lily cactus prefers full sun to partial shade, but it will appreciate some protection from the afternoon sun. If planted in a container, well-drained cactus or succulent mix is recommended to promote adequate drainage. Since it is fast-growing for a cactus, it will require a little more water than some cacti. Be sure to cut back on watering in the winter months. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 8b to 11b and can withstand a light frost if kept dry. The plant will produce offsets that can be used to propagate new plants when they are large enough. They may also be propagated by seeds.

This plant has rounded green to grayish-green stems that eventually will become short and cylinder-like. Each stem forms 11 to 18 straight ribs and has short, black or yellowish-brown spines. Each areole has 1 to 5 central spines and 3 to 15 radial spines. The flowers are showy, funnel-shaped, white or pink, measure 4 inches in diameter, and appear on long wooly stems. The blooms have a sweet scent and are night-blooming. On hot days, the flowers open in the evening and wither by midday the following day; however, on cooler days, the bloom will last a bit longer. Blooming occurs in spring to summer. Sometimes a mature plant may have as many as 12 blooms at the same time. Large green fruits with tufts of long fibrous threads appear after flowering is completed. 

In warm winter climates, this plant can be used in rock or crevice gardens. Most often, this plant is used as a container houseplant. It is easy to grow, low maintenance, and will reward you with beautiful, scented, evening flowers in the spring or summer. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems, but monitor for spider mites and mealybugs.  Overwatering can lead to fungal diseases such as root rot. It is Intolerant of high humidity. 

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