Easter Lily Cactus (Echinopsis oxygona): Fragrant Night Blooms

Overview

Easter Lily Cactus (Echinopsis oxygona) is a globular to short-columnar cactus from South America. It forms clumps of ribbed, green stems with white, woolly areoles and short, radial spines. In spring to summer, it produces spectacular, huge (6–8 in), funnel-shaped, white to pale pink flowers with an intense, sweet fragrance. The flowers open at night and last 1–2 days. Prolific bloomer, often covering the plant. Easy to grow and flower, it's a favorite for collectors and beginners alike. Many synonyms reflect its variability.

Key Features

• Stems: Globular to cylindrical, ribbed, green; clumping.
• Spines: Short, radial; white woolly areoles.
• Flowers: Huge, white/pale pink, fragrant, nocturnal; 6–8 in; spring/summer.
• Bloom: Prolific; often multiple flushes.

Care Guidelines

Light

Full sun to light shade. Best flowering in bright light.

Water

Moderate in growing season; dry in winter. More water than desert cacti.

Soil

Rich, well-draining cactus mix.

Propagation

Offsets or seed. Easy.

Taxonomy

Family:	Cactaceae
Genus:	Echinopsis (ek-in-OP-sis)
Species:	oxygona (ok-SY-goh-nuh)
Synonyms:	Echinopsis adolfofriedrichii, Echinopsis derenbergii, Echinopsis eyriesii, Echinopsis multiplex, Echinopsis tubiflora