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Lady of the Night Epiphyllum oxypetalum

Previously known as:

  • Cereus oxypetalus
  • Epiphyllum purpussi
  • Phyllocactus latifrons
Phonetic Spelling
ep-ih-FE-lum ks-ee-PET-al-um
Description

Queen of the night is a tropical epiphyte to lithophyte and spineless cactus with aerial roots and large, fragrant flowers. It is native to Central America and thrives in tropical and subtropical climates rather than in dry, arid areas. In its native habitat, it is found growing on other plants or trees as well as rocks and may grow up to 10 feet tall. This member of the cactus family (Cactaceae) is the most cultivated species in the genus. It is commonly grown as a smaller ornamental houseplant.

This plant requires bright, indirect light and protection from the harsh afternoon sun. Give this plant well-drained average succulent or cactus potting mix with added sand or perlite. Soak the soil completely when watering, and water regularly during the spring and summer. Allow the top of the soil to dry out between watering. Reduce the water schedule during the fall and winter when growth is slowed. It is not frost tolerant and prefers temperatures between 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It thrives in high humidity, and humidifier may be needed. Repotting may be required every 2 or 3 years. The queen of the night can be easily propagated by stem cuttings.

The plant is erect, sprawling, and spineless cactus. It has long, flat, green segmented stems or leaf-like branches that may have wavy or lobed edges and measure up to 16 inches long. The flowers are white, fragrant, waterlily like and measure 12 inches long and 8 inches wide. They are night-blooming and wither by the next morning. They typically bloom in the late spring to early summer; however, houseplants tend to bloom sporadically. The flowers are pollinated by bats and moths.  After flowering, purplish-red fruits are produced that are edible. 

The queen of the night has slightly different growing needs than other cacti or succulents. If you are up for the challenge, you will be rewarded with beautiful and unique houseplant. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Common insects include mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. The plant is susceptible to root rot in the presence of overwatering or poorly drained soil. Powdery mildew can occur if the air circulation is poor. Exposure to direct sunlight can cause sunburn. 

VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#weeping#arching#evergreen#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#houseplant#white flowers#succulent#epiphytic#hanging baskets#disease resistant#nighttime garden#large flowers#night-flowering#edible fruits#cactus#indoor#humidity tolerant#partial shade tolerant#tropical#container plant#hsc#hsc-c#perennial#greenhouse plant#patio#climber#nocturnal#long lived
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#weeping#arching#evergreen#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#houseplant#white flowers#succulent#epiphytic#hanging baskets#disease resistant#nighttime garden#large flowers#night-flowering#edible fruits#cactus#indoor#humidity tolerant#partial shade tolerant#tropical#container plant#hsc#hsc-c#perennial#greenhouse plant#patio#climber#nocturnal#long lived
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Epiphyllum
    Species:
    oxypetalum
    Family:
    Cactaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used in herbal medicine esp. in Asia and India
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central Mexico to Nicaragua
    Distribution:
    Native: Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Distribution: Brazil, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Leeward Islands, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Puerto Rico, Society Islands, Tuamotu, Tubuai Island, Venezuelan Antilles, Vietnam, and Windward Islands.
    Wildlife Value:
    In their native habitat, flowers are pollinated by bats and moths.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Easy to Grow
    Edible fruit
    Fragrance
    Edibility:
    The fruits are edible.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Climbing
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    A bright purplish-red fruit similar to pitaya or dragon fruit. 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.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Huge, showy, white flowers with fragrant blooms with 25 to 30 petals. The sepals may be yellowish or pinkish. They grow on long floral tubes that emerge from the cladode margins. They bloom only at night annually for only one night, each flower lasting a few hours.
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    No true leaves but flattened stems with crenate and wavy margins. See stem information.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    What appears to be leaves are cladodes, long, flattened stems that function like a leaf. They are eliptic with undulate or crenate margins. The stems can reach lengths of up to 20 feet long. The flowers grow from the margins of these stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bats
    Moths
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity