Epiphyllum oxypetalum Night Blooming Cactus Live Plant, Queen of the Night, 4 inch Pot

Overview

Introduce a touch of nocturnal magic to your home with the exquisite Night Blooming Cactus live plant. Scientifically known as Epiphyllum oxypetalum, and affectionately called the Queen of the Night, this tropical epiphyte is celebrated for its breathtaking, showy white flowers. These magnificent blossoms unfurl only once at night, filling the air with a captivating fragrance before fading by dawn. It is a stunning addition for any plant enthusiast looking to experience a truly unique botanical event. This particular specimen arrives as a live plant in a 4-inch pot, ready to be nurtured and enjoyed.

The Epiphyllum oxypetalum is a fascinating member of the cactus family, though it thrives in a rainforest-like environment rather than a hot, dry desert. As an epiphyte, it naturally grows on other plants, deriving moisture and nutrients from the air and debris, making it an excellent candidate for hanging baskets or pots in a well-draining medium. Its flat, leaflike stems are characteristic of this genus, and with proper care, a mature plant can produce flowers from spring through mid-summer, offering a series of unforgettable nightly performances. Cultivating this plant is a rewarding experience, providing a dramatic botanical show that few other plants can rival.

Key Benefits

The Night Blooming Cactus live plant offers a multitude of benefits, making it a highly desirable addition to any plant collection. Beyond its striking appearance, it brings a unique charm and experience to your living space. This extraordinary plant is not only a visual delight but also relatively easy to care for, ensuring that even novice gardeners can enjoy its splendor. The beauty of the Queen of the Night plant is truly unparalleled:

• Spectacular Night Blooms: Experience the rare and captivating sight of huge, fragrant white flowers that open only for one night, creating a magical atmosphere.
• Exotic Appeal: Add an exotic and tropical flair to your indoor garden with this unique epiphyte, distinct from typical cacti.
• Fragrant Flowers: The large white blooms emit a powerful, sweet fragrance that can fill a room, enhancing your sensory experience.
• Relatively Low Maintenance: Despite its dramatic appearance, the Epiphyllum oxypetalum care requirements are manageable for most gardeners, adapting well to potted life.
• Conversation Starter: Its singular blooming habit makes it an instant topic of conversation and a memorable plant to share with guests.
• Potential for Fruit: If pollinated, the flowers can be followed by interesting 5-inch long, oblong, purple/red fruits, adding another dimension to its appeal.
• Adaptable Growth: While naturally an epiphyte, it easily adapts to growing in a pot, making it suitable for various indoor settings.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Night Blooming Cactus live plant involves understanding its unique needs as a tropical epiphyte. Unlike desert cacti, it requires more consistent moisture and specific light conditions. For optimal growth and prolific blooming, provide a well-drained succulent/cactus soil mix. This ensures proper aeration and prevents root rot, which is crucial for the health of your Epiphyllum oxypetalum. Remember, it’s a rainforest dweller, so it appreciates humidity but dislikes soggy roots.

Light exposure is key for the Queen of the Night plant. It thrives in partial shade or bright, indirect light. Avoid direct, intense sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day, as this can scorch its delicate stems. When watering, soak the soil completely, allowing excess water to drain away. Water frequently during the growing season, letting the top inch or two of the soil dry out between waterings. Reduce watering significantly in winter, to about 1-2 times per month, as the plant enters a period of dormancy. This careful watering regimen is essential for successful Epiphyllum oxypetalum care.

Temperature management is another important aspect. This tropical epiphyte is not frost-tolerant. Bring your plant indoors when temperatures cool to the mid-30s Fahrenheit to protect it from cold damage. During the active growth season, regular fertilization with a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer can encourage robust growth and abundant flowering. Keep an eye out for common pests like mealybugs or spider mites, and address them promptly with appropriate organic solutions to maintain a healthy and vibrant fragrant orchid cactus.

Size & Details

This offering is for one Night Blooming Cactus live plant, specifically an Epiphyllum oxypetalum, delivered in a 4-inch nursery pot. The plant will be similar in size and health to the one pictured, ready for you to continue its growth journey. The flattened stems, which are characteristic of this species, can easily root and contribute to the plant’s bushy growth habit. While mature plants can produce flowers from spring through mid-summer, the exact timing of the first bloom will depend on the plant’s maturity and growing conditions in your home.

In its native habitat, this plant can grow quite large, with stems trailing several feet. However, when grown in a pot, its size is more manageable, typically forming a robust, cascading specimen. The 5-inch long, oblong, purple/red fruits, if pollination occurs, add an interesting visual element after the spectacular bloom. Expect a healthy, well-rooted specimen that is ready to be transitioned to its permanent home, whether that’s a larger decorative pot or a hanging basket, allowing its unique form to be showcased.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Night Blooming Cactus live plant get? A: In a pot, the stems can trail several feet, creating a lush, cascading appearance. Its overall size depends on the pot size and growing conditions, but it is manageable for indoor spaces.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: Your Epiphyllum oxypetalum will arrive in a 4-inch nursery pot, ready for you to transplant into a larger decorative container if desired.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Queen of the Night plant is primarily grown indoors in most of the US, especially where temperatures drop below 40°F. It can be moved outdoors in warm, shaded locations during summer.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This tropical epiphyte prefers partial shade or bright, indirect light. Avoid direct, harsh sunlight which can scorch its stems.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, with understanding of its tropical cactus nature, Epiphyllum oxypetalum care is relatively straightforward. It’s an excellent choice for those wanting a unique but not overly demanding plant.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive healthy and well-rooted in its 4-inch pot, carefully packaged to ensure its safe journey.
• Q: How long until it blooms? A: Blooming depends on the plant’s maturity. A mature plant can produce flowers from spring through mid-summer. Younger plants may take some time to reach blooming size.
• Q: What’s the best soil for a fragrant orchid cactus? A: A well-draining succulent/cactus soil mix is ideal. You can also amend regular potting soil with perlite or orchid bark for improved drainage.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: It is not frost-tolerant. If you live in a region with temperatures below the mid-30s°F, you will need to bring your plant indoors for winter protection.
• Q: Why is it called a Night Blooming Cactus live plant? A: It gets its name because its large, beautiful, and highly fragrant flowers open exclusively at night, lasting only until dawn.