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.

Plant guide

Queen of the night.

Epiphyllum oxypetalum

Pronounced ep-ih-FILL-um ox-ee-PET-ah-lum

Also known as Dutchman's Pipe Cactus, Dutchman's-pipe cactus, Moonflower Cactus, night-blooming cereus, queen of the night

queen of the night — Photo by Daniel Pineda Vera (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This fascinating cactus is famous for its large, fragrant white flowers that bloom only at night. It is an epiphyte that naturally grows on trees in tropical forests. You will love how it transforms your space when it finally puts on its rare, dramatic show.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Epiphytic cactus
Light: Bright indirect light
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 to 10 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

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.

Watering: Let the top few inches of soil dry out completely before you give it another drink.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back any damaged or overly long stems after the flowering season ends.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root-bound, as it prefers to be slightly snug in its container.
Soil: Well-draining orchid or cactus mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for several decades with proper care.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth despite proper care.
Soil breaking down and losing structure.

Safety

People: This plant is non-toxic to humans.
Children: Keep away from small children due to the potential for sharp, albeit small, spines on the stems.
Contact allergens: The stems may have tiny spines that can cause minor skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: There are no known significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: The fruit is edible but often considered bland, so ensure proper identification before consumption.

How to identify it

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

Height: 1.5 to 3m
Spread: 1 to 2m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, 10 to 15cm
Fruit: red, purple, Late summer

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your queen of the night from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: 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.
In containers: It thrives in containers, which allow you to move it indoors during cold weather, and prefers a pot with excellent drainage.

Stem Cuttings

1. Cut a healthy stem segment at least 10 cm long.
2. Let the cut end callous over for 3 to 5 days in a dry place.
3. Plant the calloused end into well-draining cactus mix.
4. Keep the soil slightly moist until roots form.

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

Grows well with

Orchids · They share similar epiphytic light and moisture requirements.
Ferns · They provide a complementary lush texture and enjoy similar humidity levels.

Similar species

Fishbone Cactus · It shares the same epiphytic habit and night blooming characteristics.

Science

Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Epiphyllum
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical forests of Mexico and Central America.
Conservation: 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.

Value to wildlife: night blooming nectar source
Pollinators: moths
Uses: ornamental, container plant, night garden feature

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

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.

Where the name comes from

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.

Good to know

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.

Keep your queen of the night growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.