Night-Blooming Cereus: Two Distinct Cacti That Bloom After Dark

Gardeners often encounter confusion when shopping for "night-blooming cereus" because the common name applies to two very different epiphytic cacti. Understanding their distinct growth habits and leaf structures ensures you get the plant you want.

Hylocereus and Selenicereus grandiflorus (Queen-of-the-Night)

This group features triangular, three-angled stems that grow upright, reaching up to 15 feet in their native habitat. The stems resemble squared-off prickly pear pads with repetitive spines along the edges. True Cereus species have rounded stems and tiny leaves. Flowers are spectacular: funnel-shaped inner petals surrounded by daisy-like outer petals, often intensely fragrant and opening only for a single night.

Epiphyllum (Orchid Cactus)

The second plant commonly sold as night-blooming cereus is Epiphyllum oxypetalum and its hybrids. These have a shrubby, cascading habit, rarely exceeding 8 feet in the wild. Their stems are flat, smooth, and long, with spines only at the scalloped margins. Flowers are multi-petaled, huge, and equally nocturnal. They thrive in hanging baskets where their pendant stems can drape gracefully.

Basic Care for Both Types

• Light: Bright shade or filtered sun; avoid harsh afternoon rays.
• Soil: Well-draining, low-fertility mix (cactus soil with extra perlite).
• Water: Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry; reduce in winter.
• Propagation: Epiphyllum stem segments root easily—insert the lower third into moist potting mix.