I’m one of the few gardeners who loves the challenge of growing delicate and complicated houseplants. The Queen of the Night cactus is a rare and exotic houseplant that fits the bill perfectly.
This amazing flowering houseplant can be tricky to grow and thrive. The plant needs the utmost care to produce fragrant white flowers that open at night and remain healthy throughout the year.
Caring for queen of the night cacti includes providing direct, indirect sunlight, well-drained soil, moderate soil moisture, optimum temperature, and average humidity. We also recommend feeding the plant once in the spring.
This article provides detailed information on how to take care of the nocturnal cactus queen from scratch. Take the time to read and learn how often the queen of the night blooms.
How is a cactus queen of the night?
Queen of the Night is a climbing perennial cactus orchid native to tropical regions. This night-blooming cactus is commonly grown as a houseplant in the United States, Europe, and Australia.
Queen of the Night has thick, succulent leaves that draw nutrients and moisture from the air. The fleshy leaves also help store moisture so the plant can thrive in dry seasons.
The beautiful white flowers produce a fragrance that removes toxins from the air of your indoor space. Plus, the beauty of orchid flowers can make a bold statement in the home.
Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is also known as Princess of the Night, Night-flowering Cereus, Dutch Cactus, and Lady of the Night. This tropical flowering houseplant is native to Mexico, South America and parts of Asia.
Overview of the care of the queen of the night with cactus
| Scientific name | Epiphyllum oxypetalum |
| Common names | Princess of the Night, Lady of the Night, Night Blooming Cereus and Dutch Pipe Cactus. |
| Original | Mexico, South America and part of Asia |
| Maximum growth (approx.) | 6 feet long for indoor species |
| winter hardiness zone | 10 and 11 |
| Sun exposure | Indirect full sun. Direct sun exposure will scorch the leaves. |
| the type of soil | Well-drained soil that stays moderately moist. |
| Temperature requirement: | 50-90OF (10-32OC) |
| humidity level | Medium humidity (40-50%) |
| Fertilizer Application: | Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer once from spring through fall. |
| Water frequency: | Water the plant weekly in the summer and reduce the frequency in the winter. |
| cut | Remove dead stems. Requires a minimum size routine. |
| the reproduction | leaf cuttings |
| Transplant | does not need a transplant |
| flowers | White, pink, purple and red. |
| Plagues and diseases | Spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects and whiteflies are the most common pests. Root rot and powdery mildew can affect the plant. |
| Toxicity | Consuming large amounts may be toxic to pets and young children. But the houseplant is not poisonous. |
How to take care of the queen of the nocturnal cactus?
Growing and caring for the queen of the nocturnal cactus is a simple task. (Source: North Carolina State University). Here are some quick tips for growing a queen of the night cactus in your home:
light requirements
The beautiful queen of the nocturnal cactus thrives in tropical regions. The plant needs direct sunlight once a year to encourage flowering. Lack of sun can mean that the plant will never flower.
We recommend placing the houseplant near a south-facing windowsill to catch the morning sun. Make sure the window has a shade to protect the houseplant from being scorched by direct sunlight.
Water frequency:
The beautiful queen of the night is a succulent that absorbs nutrients and moisture from the air or environment. We recommend watering the plant weekly in the summer to keep the soil moist.
Be sure to reduce the frequency of watering in winter, as this houseplant is dormant. Check the soil moisture by dipping your index finger into the potting mix to test the moisture content.
Too much soil moisture can cause root rot and yellowing of leaves. Therefore, we recommend that you do not keep your queen of the night in a humid environment. Additionally, dry soil conditions will inhibit flowering of lady of the night cactus.
Soil Requirements
The queen of the nocturnal cactus thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil that can retain some moisture. We recommend mixing equal parts peat moss, perlite and orchid bark to create the best potting mix.
The commercial cactus mix combined with perlite may also be an alternative for city dwellers. The goal is to allow the soil to drain freely and retain some moisture to keep the plant hydrated.
Sphagnum moss helps retain moisture, while perlite and orchid bark improve drainage and aid root aeration. Be sure to water more during the dry summer to encourage nighttime flowering.
Queen of the night temperature
Queen of the Night is a tropical plant that thrives in a temperature range of 50-90OF (10-32OC). The indoor plant can also have an indoor temperature of 40°F (5OC) during the winter.
Indoor temperatures below 35°F (3°C) will inhibit cacti growth. The best temperature range for growing Queen of the Night indoors is 65-75OF (18-24.)OC. Protect your orchid cacti from the sun during the summer months.
Queen of the Night Humidity Requirements
The queen of the night cactus can thrive in moderate indoor humidity. We recommend keeping indoor humidity between 40% and 50%.
You can install an electric humidifier to increase indoor humidity so cactus species can thrive. But if the plant is grown underground, there is no need to increase the humidity.
Applying Fertilizer to the Queen of the Night Cactus
The queen of the night cactus does not feed much like other tropical plants. But the houseplant needs regular fertilization throughout the year to stay healthy and stimulate flowering.
Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer to feed your lady at night from spring through fall. The houseplant needs low nitrogen fertilizer in February to stimulate flowering.
Water the plant to promote nutrient uptake and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Do not apply fertilizer to lady of the night in winter due to the impact of dormancy.
How to prune the queen of the night cactus?
The queen of the night cactus does not need to prune the succulent leaves. We recommend pruning the fleshy leaves to maintain size or removing yellow, dying stems. Use sharp, sterilized pruners to cut off unwanted stems.
Reproduction of Cactus Queen of the Night
A leaf cutting is the best method of propagating the queen of the nocturnal cactus. We recommend trimming stems with hair-like roots along the edge.
Stems without these roots will grow, although they take longer to propagate. Here are some quick steps to propagate Queen of the Night:
- Cut a healthy leaf from the plant.
- Cut the sheet into 6-inch sections and form a V at the bottom.
- Put the cuttings in moist soil and store them in a dark place.
- Light loses rods while calluses form every other day.
- Put the cuttings in the ground and place them in a bright place.
- Distribute the stems in separate pots after the roots have developed.
How to transplant the queen of the night cactus?
The beautiful queen of the night blooms best when rooted. We do not recommend repotting a flowering queen of the night cactus.
Repot your houseplant if there are signs of poor drainage, although the process will put stress on the plant. It will also prevent your orchid cactus from blooming in the summer.
Queen of the Night Cactus Problems and Solutions
pest problem
The queen of the nocturnal cactus is vulnerable to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects and whiteflies. These creatures draw nutrients from the fleshy stems and the poison deteriorates the health of the plant.
We recommend isolating your plant from other houseplants to prevent the spread of pests. Use any neem oil solution to kill insects. Repeat the process if you notice any signs of pests again.
Queen of Nocturnal Plant Diseases
Root rot is the main disease that can attack the queen of the nocturnal cactus. The problem stems from overwatering your houseplant grown in poorly drained potting soil.
Test the moisture of the potting soil before watering your plant to prevent root rot. Additionally, soil conditions that are too dry will attract mites which harm the queen of nocturnal cacti.
High humidity in a poorly ventilated area promotes the growth of powdery mildew on your queen cactus. Use a fungicide to treat this harmless condition on your houseplant and provide better ventilation.
frequently asked Questions
How often does the queen of the night bloom?
The queen of the night blooms at night only once a year. The large, fragrant flowers shine bright white like the full moon. But the plant can also produce pink, red and purple flowers, depending on the species.
The leaves of the queen of the night are turning yellow
Lack of sun, excess water and pests are possible causes of yellowing of the queen of the night leaves. We recommend examining your houseplant to determine the exact cause of the yellow leaves.
Queen of Night Flowers Spiritual Meaning
The queen of the nocturnal plant is also called Iruludavare in Kannada, which means nocturnal lotus. It is believed that the wishes of people who pray to God will be granted while the flower of the queen of the night will bloom.
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