Queen of the night.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Media

Tipo de planta

Epiphytic cactus

Luz

Bright indirect light

Luz en interior

Luz indirecta brillante

Riego

Cada 7 a 14 días

Tamaño adulto

3 to 10 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 10 a 12

Floración

Late spring to early autumn

Cuidados

Keep your plant in a spot with plenty of filtered light and avoid direct sun that might scorch the stems. Watch for yellowing stems, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet for too long. Ensure the potting mix is chunky and well-draining to mimic its natural home on tree branches.

Riego

Let the top few inches of soil dry out completely before you give it another drink.

Abonado

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.

Poda

Trim back any damaged or overly long stems after the flowering season ends.

Trasplante

Repot only when the plant becomes root-bound, as it prefers to be slightly snug in its container.

Suelo

Well-draining orchid or cactus mix

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.0

Temperatura

10 a 30°C

Humedad

50 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Moderada

Longevidad

Perennial, can live for several decades with proper care.

Fragancia

Intensa

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Moderada

Seguridad

Personas

This plant is non-toxic to humans.

Niños

Keep away from small children due to the potential for sharp, albeit small, spines on the stems.

Alérgenos por contacto

The stems may have tiny spines that can cause minor skin irritation.

Alérgenos en el aire

There are no known significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.

Comestibilidad

The fruit is edible but often considered bland, so ensure proper identification before consumption.

Cómo identificarla

• Long, flat, succulent leaf-like stems
• Large, fragrant, white nocturnal flowers
• Wavy or scalloped stem margins
• Stems can grow quite long
• Produces small, reddish, edible fruits

Altura

1,5 a 3m

Anchura

1 a 2m

Hojas

green, evergreen

Flores

white, 10 a 15cm

Frutos

red, purple, Late summer

Problemas frecuentes

• Mealybugs — Small white cottony insects that cluster in stem crevices.
• Root rot — Caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

cuttings, seed

Cuándo plantar

spring, summer

Cuidados en invierno

Move the plant to a frost-free location indoors before temperatures drop. Keep it in a bright spot and reduce water to a minimum until spring growth resumes.

En maceta

It thrives in containers, which allow you to move it indoors during cold weather, and prefers a pot with excellent drainage.

Group this plant with other tropical epiphytes to create a microclimate that maintains higher humidity.

Buenas compañeras

• Orchidaceae — They share similar epiphytic light and moisture requirements.
• Polypodiopsida — They provide a complementary lush texture and enjoy similar humidity levels.

Especies parecidas

• Selenicereus anthonyanus — It shares the same epiphytic habit and night blooming characteristics.

Ciencia

Familia

Cactaceae

Género

Epiphyllum

Orden

Caryophyllales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Tropical forests of Mexico and Central America.

Conservación

This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It grows as an epiphyte on tree branches, capturing moisture and nutrients from the air and decaying organic matter.

Valor para la fauna

night blooming nectar source

Polinizadores

polillas

Usos

ornamental, container plant, night garden feature

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Why won't my plant bloom?

It often requires a period of cooler temperatures and slightly drier soil in winter to trigger flowering.

How often should I water it?

Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry, but reduce watering significantly during the winter.

De dónde viene el nombre

The name Epiphyllum comes from Greek words meaning upon the leaf, referring to how the flowers appear to grow from the leaf-like stems. The specific epithet oxypetalum means sharp-petaled.

Bueno saberlo

• It is often called the Queen of the Night.
• The flowers are highly fragrant to attract nocturnal pollinators.
• It is a cactus that grows in trees rather than in the ground.