It grew like crazy all summer until it was time to bring it inside, where I hung it in a window that gets a lot of light from late morning until the sun sets (see second photo below). Sow what did I do? I threw that bad boy outside and hung it under my neighbor’s cherry tree! This dense tree provided plenty of shade for the plant (see first photo below). Then we moved to the new house which, pre-sunroom construction, didn’t really have any location that got good light. At my old house, I had my large queen hanging in a window that got morning light. Avoid placing it in a location where it will be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.ĭirect sunlight can burn the leaves and cause the plant to become stressed. Place your plant in a location where it will receive plenty of indirect light throughout the day. The care needs for all of these orchid-style cacti are very similar.įor more epiphyllum, check out my care article on epiphyllum guatemalense monstrose, aka the curly orchid cactus! How much light does an epiphyllum oxypetalum need?Įpiphyllum oxypetalum prefers bright, indirect light. I love to try to get to the bottom of what exactly I have, but if you can’t, don’t worry. ![]() So while you’ll commonly see this plant referred to as a night-blooming cereus or a queen of the night, it’s safest to use its full name-epiphyllum oxypetalum. Mine has not flowered yet, but I really got it for the leaves. I love the big, dramatic leaves on this one. Selenicereus chrysocardium, otherwise known as a “fern leaf cactus.” Truly one of my favorites.It is difficult to tell if you have an epiphyllum ric rac or a Selenicereus ric rac without seeing it flower (white on epiphyllum, pink on Selenicereus). And that type of epiphyllum is also referred to as a ric rac cactus. Selenicereus anthonyanus, a type of plant commonly known as “ric rac cactus.” This type of Selenicereus is also very similar to another type of epiphyllum.They certainly do have a lot of similarities! I own a few Selenicereus species: Once you look at a few Selenicereus plants, it will be clear where the confusion comes from. All Cereus species bloom at night and are terrestrial plants, while epiphyllums are usually epiphytic (and can bloom at night, too). And it is not closely related to any of the species in the tribe Cereeae, such as Selenicereus, that are more commonly known as night-blooming cereus. Though it is often referred to as a night-blooming cereus, epiphyllum oxypetalum is not a cereus plant. However, it is grown in tropical areas across southeast Asia and has become naturalized in China. Why? Because the plant often blooms only once a year.ĭespite the worldwide love for this plant, it is actually native to southeastern Mexico and South America. The Chinese chengyu use this flower to describe someone who has an impressive but brief moment of glory. In India, it’s called something that roughly translates to “night lotus” in one language-in another, it is named after the Hindu God of creation. However, know that many other types of night-blooming plants (many of which are also types of epiphyllum) are referred to by these and similar names. You’ll most commonly see it called a queen of the night plant, a princess of the night plant, a night-blooming cactus, or a Dutchman’s pipe cactus. The genus is epiphyllum, which contains loads of different types of gorgeous trailing and climbing cactus varieties. Its most accurate name is epiphyllum oxypetalum. So let’s talk about this plant now that we know grandmas everywhere love it. Can grow quite large, with a fast growth rate and arching stems.Prefers warmer types and higher humidity but does well with typical household levels.Requires even moisture without being waterlogged top few inches of soil should dry out before watering again.Prefers bright, indirect light and should be protected from prolonged direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn. ![]() Unique for its night-blooming characteristic flowers bloom only at night and die by dawn. ![]() Epiphyllum Oxypetalum, aka “queen of the night,” belongs to the genus epiphyllum, including various trailing and climbing cactus varieties.
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