Night-blooming cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum or Hylocereus undatus) is a cactus variety that only blooms its white fragrant flowers at night. These plants prefer well-drained sandy soil, minimal water and partial shade. They're grown outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, but they can be grown indoors as a houseplant anywhere. Night-blooming cereus requires very little care, but the roots can rot quickly if the plants are over-watered.
Maintain a neutral soil pH, between 6.6 and 7.5. Equal parts sand and potting mix or cactus mix are ideal media for a night-blooming cereus because they drain well.
Keep the night-blooming cereus in an area that receives partial sun either indoors or out. They can grow up to 12 feet in some cases, so provide them plenty of space.
Water the night-blooming cereus plant regularly from March through August, but allow the soil to dry between waterings. Don't let the plant stand in water.
Fertilize night-blooming cereus monthly with 10-10-10 fertilizer from March through August.
Rinse off any mealybugs or spidermites on your night-blooming cereus plant with a low-pressure garden hose or watering can. Cover the soil to prevent over-watering. Alternatively, apply insecticidal soap to all parts of the plant if it's affected with scale or mealybugs. Do this once a week until the pests are gone. You can also use cotton swabs dipped in isopropyl alcohol to remove mealybugs or scale.
Discontinue fertilization in the fall and winter and reduce watering to about once a week until the following growing season. You can leave night-blooming cereus outdoors in the winter as long as temperatures don't drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Things You Will Need
- Potting mix
- Cactus mix
- Fertilizer, 10-10-10
- Garden hose
- Watering can
- Insecticidal soap
- Cotton swabs
- Isopropyl alcohol
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