Overview
Plant Type:
Care Level: Moderate
- Safe for Pets
- Sprawling waxy stems and large white showy flowers
- Bright, indirect light
- At least 64*F in summer, drop to 60*F for 8 weeks in the winter
- Well-draining, slightly acidic
- Up to 20 feet!
Interested buyers are encouraged to contact the store to inquire about availability.
Queen of the night is a flowering cactus with sprawling waxy stems that can grow up to 20 ft. (6 m) long and produces stunning large white showy flowers one night in the year. So, although queen of the night cactus produces flowers, it rarely blooms. When the orchid cactus produces flowers, they only emerge at night and wilt before the morning. The night-blooming characteristic and its stunning flowers make this plant popular for tropical gardens or as a houseplant.
How to Plant Queen of the Night Cactus
Plant queen of the night cactus in well-drained soil that is slightly acidic and retains moisture. To increase the chances of blooming, grow the orchid cactus in bright, indirect light and ensure the temperature is at least 64°F (18°C). In winter, drop the temperature to 60°F (16°C) for eight weeks.
Outdoors, plant queen of the night cactus in the ground where there is dappled sunlight. The orchid cactus will thrive in USDA zones 10 to 12. Keep the ground moist, especially during hot summer days when there’s little rainfall.
About the Queen of the Night Plant (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) – Night Blooming Cereus
The queen of the night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is a climbing perennial orchid cactus species native to tropical regions of the world. Outdoors, the queen of the night is found in Southern Mexico, South America, and many parts of Asia. The beautiful cactus is often grown as a houseplant indoors.
The botanical name for queen of the night indicates it’s an epiphytic plant. This means that the thick succulent leaves derive nutrients and moisture from the air and surrounding environment.
The queen of the night is classified as an orchid cactus. The plant stores moisture in its flattened, fleshy, succulent leaves, like all species of cacti. The beautiful large, fragrant white flower gives this plant its name of orchid cactus as the flower has all the beauty of orchid flowers.
Other common names for queen of the night plant include princess of the night, Dutchman’s pipe cactus, night-blooming cereus, and lady of the night.
How to make Queen of the Night bloom
Queen of the night cactus flowers need specific conditions to bloom.
Growing indoors, the nocturnal cactus orchid needs bright, indirect light to flower. If growing outdoors, then partial shade is necessary. The flowering cactus needs to be in bright indirect light and temperatures between 40°F to 60°F (4.5°C – 15.5°C) to bloom in winter. Additionally, low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer can encourage blooming during summer.
Another tip to encourage the queen of the night orchid to bloom is to keep it in a relatively small pot. Blooming is better if the orchid cactus is slightly rootbound.
Queen of the night cactus flowers usually start blooming at between 8 and 10 pm and take two to three hours to open fully. However, by dawn, the spectacular white flower will close and then wilt. Blooming usually takes place in June and July.
