Epiphyllum oxypetalum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cereus greggii
- Cereus pottsii
- Phonetic Spelling
- ep-ih-FE-lum ks-ee-PET-al-um
- Description
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Queen of the Night is a night-blooming, tropical epiphyte to lithophyte with huge showy fragrant white flowers that close up by dawn and is in the cactus family. This cactus grows in a rainforest setting rather than a hot dry location so will need more water than most cacti. In its native habitat, it is usually found growing on trees but it can easily be grown in a pot. There are no true leaves, but flattened stems that can be easily rooted. A mature plant can produce flowers from spring through mid-summer.
Give this plant a well-drained average succulent/cactus soil mix in partial shade or bright, indirect light. Soak the soil completely when watering and water frequently, letting the top of the soil dry out between waterings. Bring inside when temperatures cool to mid 30's and cut down on watering during the winter to 1-2 times per month.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Epiphyllum
- Species:
- oxypetalum
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in herbal medicine esp. in Asia and Idia
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. Mexico, Central America
- Wildlife Value:
- Large flowers pollinated by bats.
- Edibility:
- The fruits are edible.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Multi-stemmed
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10b, 10a, 11b, 11a, 12b, 12a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- A bright magenta fruit similar to pitaya/dragonfruit. The inner flesh is white and contains small black seeds. It is oblong and angled, up to 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. Fruits are rarely produced.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Huge, showy, white flowers with fragrant blooms. The sepals may be yellowish or pinkish. They grow on long floral tubes that emerge from the cladode margins. They bloom annually for only one night, each flower lasting a few hours.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- No true leaves but flattened stems with crenate and wavy margins. See stem information.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- What appear to be leaves are cladodes– flattened stems that function like a leaf. They are eliptic with undulate or crenate margins. The flowers grow from the margins of these stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bats
