When you think of the queen of the night, the first thing that comes to mind is the night-blooming cereus.
Still, the queen of the night cactus known as Epiphyllum oxypetalum is a one-night cactus flower of many in the night-blooming cereus collection.
Nonetheless, no matter what, if you have the queen of the night cactus, you have one of many night plants that only bloom at night 🌟.
Today we will help you care for your night cacti as it makes for one beautiful succulent plant in the home.
More About The Night Queen
The night queen flowers are native to South America, mainly in southern Mexico. Most of them are epiphytic plants and grow on the surface of other plants in their natural habitat.
Night cactus flowers do not bloom readily; they do not bloom as new plants and only start flowering after three to five years. To see the blooms, you must manipulate the temperature and water in the winter months.
The queen of the night blooms flower buds with straight white petals. The night flower smell is fragrant and blooms with a delicate look. Many call it an orchid cactus, as the white blooms resemble stars or spiders.
The cactus flower opens at night, reaches full bloom at 12h00 to 3h00 am, and closes fast at dawn. So catching the exotic blooms on display is tricky but worthwhile.
Another interesting thing is that studies show that the native people used the plant for wound healing, uterine bleeding, coughs, and bloody phlegm relief. When properly cared for, it grows into a shrub, reaching 6 feet tall.
Queen of the Night Flower Care
The queen of the night cactus flower does not need too much direct sunlight and grows in warm temperatures. It remains happy as long as it has well-draining soil with average watering. So, how do you care for the queen of the night regarding its growing needs? Let’s find out.
Recommended Soil For Queen of the Night
The best-growing condition for your night cactus plant is airy soil that drains well. We recommend mixing a bit of perlite with a handful of orchid bark. The soil pH level is between 5.5 to 6.5, and adding peat moss, and pine bark, with sandy soil, helps support the plant growth. Neither does it need loads of space for the roots to grow as it prefers to be root-bound.
Night Cactus Plant Lighting Needs
Compared to other plants in the cacti species, the queen of the night prefers partial shade instead of too much sunlight. Still, too little light can also result in the plant not blooming. Hence, it would be best to find a balance in sunlight. So, provide only a few hours of direct light, but indirect light works best ⛅.
Watering Your New Plant
Choose a spot nearby trees or plant them in containers depending on where you grow your queen of the night. Compared to other plants, never leave it standing in completely dry soil before you water 💦 it. Doing this prevents the roots from growing. Keep the soil moisture right as it is not drought tolerant like other cacti.
Also, ensure that the queen of the night does not stand in water as it will lead to root rot. In hot climates, we recommend watering your plant weekly when the top two inches of the soil are dry. Choose a pot with enough drainage holes for excess moisture to drain out.
During spring and fall, you can water less, and in winter, the watering becomes less frequent. To bloom, you need to water less in winter, and the temperatures need to drop. Once the flowering period starts your seed buds continue watering.
Night Cactus Temperature & Humidity
The recommended temperature range for the night bloom plant is between 50°F and 90°F. Avoid placing your indoor plant near drafts or vents with extreme heat.
When temperatures drop outside below 40°F, we recommend bringing your plant indoors.
The normal household humidity levels suit your plant as this night-blooming cereus can tolerate low humidity and does not need added moisture to thrive.
Fertilizing Queen of the Night
Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer for your plant, as a feed high in nitrogen can affect the blooms. You can choose a feed suitable for cacti and feed your plant every two to three weeks in late spring and summer. Refrain from feeding in winter as your plant is dormant.
Pruning Queen of the Night Cactus Plant
Pruning is essential for the queen of the night as it grows long modified stems, allowing it to move around in its natural habitat. You can prune the stem’s backs as it will not affect the growth.
Potting and Repotting Queen of the Night Cactus Plant
When repotting your plant, use fresh potting soil with enough drainage holes. You can expect to repot every seven years when it becomes potbound. After potting, wait for a few days before watering your plant again.
Step-by-step Propagation of Queen of the Night
You can propagate your plant through leaf or stem cuttings or sowing seeds. Here are some detailed steps to follow:
By Leaf Cutting
Gather a few mature leaves from the parent plant and store them in a cool, dry place.
Ensure the cutting is 4-6 inches long.
After a few days, when you notice the cutting calluses over, you can use a rooting hormone before planting them.
Prepare a pot with potting soil that drains well and provides some moisture.
Place the cut ends of the leaves in the soil, place them in bright light, and keep them moist.
By Sowing Seeds
Take some cactus compost and place it in a container.
Then scatter the seeds evenly over the soil.
Mist the compost with water using a spray bottle and apply a thin layer of grit over it.
Place the container in a clear plastic cover to keep it moist.
After the seeds germinate, you can remove the covering. Always provide moist soil but not drenched soil.
Once the seedlings reach a reasonable size to handle, you can remove the weak ones to grow further.
Prepare individual pots with fresh soil to transplant each night plant into.
Place the pots in a sunny location away from the morning sun.
Common Problems
The night cacti are bothered mainly by pests and not diseases. A common problem is mealybugs, while aphids, spider mites, and scale can also visit your plant.
Another concern is root rot caused by overwatering, and notice when the leaves turn yellow, or you see stunted growth with your flowering plants.
Another concern with overwatering is the base turning brown and rotting, and best to take cuttings to propagate a new plant.
The queen of the night is not prone to diseases and mostly has root rot and fungal leaf spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend keeping your plant in a warm environment and water when the topsoil is dry. Water your plant in winter every two to three weeks, and never overwater your plants. Your plant only needs two hours of direct sunlight and protection from the harsh mid-afternoon sun.
Allow excess water to drain from the pot and only fertilize and propagate our plant in spring and summer. Remove the damaged leaves where possible.
The night cactus will flower once every year during the night.
Place your plant in an unheated room with temperatures above 40°F during late winter to help stimulate production. Provide your plant with indirect sunlight and return your plant indoors when the chilling period is over.
Provide your plant with soil that drains well and, where needed, amend it with perlite or grit.
To boost your plant, replenish the soil with organic matter or use a balanced liquid fertilizer or a low-nitrogen feed once a month during the growing season.
According to the ASPCA, the queen of the night is non-toxic to pets, but we recommend keeping small children and pets away if they are prone to touching or eating anything. The rough texture of the leaves can result in a choking hazard.
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