Night-Blooming Cereus: Origins and Growth Habit

A gardener's night-blooming cereus (Cereus sp.) blooms annually around August 7 with large white flowers. The plant produces long, floppy stems with fleshy leaves bearing buds. In the wild, Cereus species are columnar, tree-like cacti native to South America and the West Indies. The cultivated plant's sprawling habit likely results from lower light or lack of support. In nature, they grow upright, using their woody trunks for support, or scramble over rocks and other vegetation.

If your plant is floppy, provide a sturdy stake or trellis. Ensure bright light to encourage stronger growth.