Hanging Queen Of The Night Cactus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)
*height measurements from the ground up
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On a summer night, with no warning, a bud at the end of a trailing stem swells open into a big white flower and sends a sweet perfume drifting through the dark room. By morning it has closed for good. This is the trick that earns the Epiphyllum oxypetalum its name, the queen of the night cactus: it spends most of the year as a soft curtain of green, then hands you a night-blooming flower you’ll want to set an alarm for.
The rest of the year it is a lush, trailing houseplant, its slim, flat stems arching out of the basket and spilling downward with scalloped edges like long green ribbons. It’is a jungle cactus rather than a desert one, native to the forests of Central America where it grows perched high in the trees. That origin makes it far easier to please than its spiky desert relatives, asking for bright filtered light and a little more water than the word cactus suggests.
Care
Is the Epiphyllum oxypetalum a cactus or a succulent? The Epiphyllum oxypetalum is a true cactus, and since all cacti are succulents, it is fairly called both. What matters for care is that it is a jungle cactus, one that grows on tree branches in the forest rather than in open desert. That is why it likes filtered light and steadier moisture, not the baking sun and long droughts you might picture for a cactus.
How much light does a Hanging Epiphyllum oxypetalum need? A Hanging Epiphyllum pumilum wants bright but filtered light, much like the dappled shade it would get beneath the forest canopy. A little gentle morning sun is fine, but keep it out of harsh direct rays, which can scorch and redden the stems. A bright spot out of the midday glare keeps the growth firm and green.
How often should I water a Hanging Epiphyllum oxypetalum? A Hanging Epiphyllum oxypetalum likes more water than a desert cactus, but it is fussy about extremes. Keep it lightly moist through the growing season, watering once the top inch (2.5 cm) of mix feels dry, and never let it either dry out completely or sit waterlogged. Through winter it wants noticeably less, which also helps set it up to flower.
How do I get an Epiphyllum oxypetalum to flower? An Epiphyllum oxypetalum blooms best with bright filtered light through the year and a cooler, drier rest over winter. That winter pause is the key trigger, telling a mature plant it is time to set buds for summer. Older, slightly pot-bound plants flower most readily, so a little patience pays off with those fragrant night blooms.
Does a Hanging Epiphyllum oxypetalum need feeding? A Hanging Epiphyllum oxypetalum takes a light feed while it is actively growing. Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength every few weeks through spring and summer, switching to a bloom-friendly feed as flowering season nears. Let it rest unfed through its cooler winter break.
Does the Epiphyllum oxypetalum like to be root-bound? The Epiphyllum oxypetalum is happy a little snug in its pot, and it often flowers better for being slightly root-bound. That means you can leave it to fill its basket and re-pot only every few years when it is truly crowded. One less chore, and a plant that prefers it that way.
Pet-friendly?
Good news for pet owners: the Epiphyllum oxypetalum is one of the safe ones. Orchid cacti are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, so this is a hanging plant you can enjoy without keeping one eye on the cat. You will find it among our pet-friendly collection for that reason.
Is the Epiphyllum oxypetalum safe for cats and dogs? The Epiphyllum oxypetalum is considered safe for cats and dogs, without the toxins that send so many houseplants up to a high shelf. As with any plant, a pet that decides to chew a lot of it may get a mildly upset stomach, so it is still no one's snack. Hung up in its basket, it stays more decoration than temptation, which suits everyone.
Factoids
Why is it called an orchid cactus? The Epiphyllum oxypetalum earns the name orchid cactus from its big, showy, orchid-like flowers, surprising on a plant in the cactus family.
When does an Epiphyllum oxypetalum flower? A mature Epiphyllum oxypetalum flowers in summer, and always after dark. The white blooms open at night, scent the air around them, and close again by the next morning, lasting only a night or two each time. It makes every flowering a small event worth catching.
Where does the Epiphyllum oxypetalum grow in the wild? In the wild, the Epiphyllum oxypetalum is an epiphyte, living up on tree branches in the forests of Central America rather than rooted in the ground. Its roots grip the bark and draw moisture and nutrients from rain and humid air. That is why indoors it loves an airy mix, filtered light, and a bit of extra humidity.
Buy a Hanging Epiphyllum pumilum
No two trailing oxypetalum fall quite the same way, so the fullness and length of the stems vary from plant to plant. The best way to choose yours is to see it. Book a free video shopping call and we will show you the basket live, turn it so you can see how full it is and how far the stems trail, and help you pick the one you like best. Book your call here. Then our own van and driver bring it to your door with the stems cushioned and intact, ready to hang. Give it a bright spot and a little patience, and one summer night it will reward you. Let's grow something beautiful together.
Title (58): Hanging Epiphyllum pumilum (Orchid Cactus) | Dahing Plants Meta (158): A trailing miniature orchid cactus with fragrant white flowers that open at night. Pet-safe and easy to grow, delivered by our own van. See it on a free call.
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