Epiphyllum

( ep - if - FILL - um )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering cacti is commonly called Orchid Cactus, and needs partial shade or bright indirect light and regular water to grow well. Most plants in this genus are epiphytes, and many have arching, trailing stems and look best in hanging pots. Stems are long and flat, usually notched at nodes. Fragrant flowers bloom in spring and come in white, cream, yellow, pink, rose, lavender, scarlet and orange. Many are bicolored. In many species in the genus, flowers are nocturnal, opening at night and closing in the morning. Most blooms last for one or two days, and then fall from the plant. Use these interesting trailing cacti as hanging baskets or container plants in sheltered areas on patios or balconies or as indoor houseplants.

Epiphyllum Species and Varietals

The genus Epiphyllum is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, and includes 10 species. The best growing Zones for Epiphyllum Cacti are USDA hardiness zones 10-12 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 14-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Epiphyllum baueri (Bauer's Orchid Cactus, Bauer's Epiphyllum, Baouer's Leaf Cactus)
This rare species of jungle cacti is native to Colombia and Panamam, where it grows in tropical and subtropical moist forested regions. The species is named for Dr. Ralf Bauer. Green leaves are long, flattened and spineless with slightly wavy margins. These plants produce large, showy, nocturnal white flowers followed by edible purple-red fruits. Plant stems can reach up to several feet in length.

Epiphyllum chrysocardium (Selenicereus chrysocardium) (Fern Leaf Cactus, Golden Heart Epiphyllum)
This species of epiphytic cactus is native to Mexico. Divided leaves are deep green and flattened. Flowers are nocturnal and white with yellow filaments. Fruits that follow blooms are green and densely covered in bristles. Individual plants produce stems that can reach up to 6 feet or more in length.

Epiphyllum spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Epiphyllum, Hybrid Orchid Cactus)
This group of Epiphyllum cacti were bred for their habit, size, or flower color.

'American Sweetheart'
With golden-pink blossoms to 9 inches wide.

'Apache Magic'
With orange and pink flowers.

'Clown'
With tricolored white, raspberry and pink blooms.

'Connie Mayer'
Extra large purple blooms.

'George French'
With cream and yellow blossoms.

'King Midas'
With golden-orange flowers to 9 inches wide.

'Kiwi Razzle Dazzle'
Purple, orange, and pink flowers.

'Madras Ribbon'
Bicolored bright and dark pink blooms.

'Pegasus'
Purple flowers with orange-red midstripe.

'Punchbowl'
Purple flowers with white inner petals.

'Unforgettable'
With double blooms in red and magenta.

Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Dutchman's Pipe Cactus, Princess of the Night, Queen of the Night)
This species is native to a region that spans from Mexico to Nicaragua. It produces flowers nocturnally and flowers wilt before dawn. Fruits that follow are purple-red when ripe, similar to Pitaya or Dragon Fruit. Inner flesh is white and contains small black seeds. Leaves and stems are green and can reach 2-10 feet long. These plants can be grown in containers or hanging baskets or supported by a trellis.

Caring for Epiphyllum

Plant Epiphyllum in a space in the landscape that receives partial shade; ideally, they appreciate between 4 and 6 hours of sun each day, with some shade in the afternoon to avoid scorching foliage. These cacti do well in areas under overhangs or trees, and need some protection from intense, direct sun and cooling winds. Ensure that soil is well-draining and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). Epiphyllum cacti are naturally epiphytic, meaning that they grow on trees, absorbing nutrients from rain and debris instead of the soil. They do well in an Orchid-like potting mix with plenty of bark. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these cacti appreciate consistent waterings with periods of dry substrate in between. As a general rule of thumb. allow the top few inches to dry out between waterings, and ensure that all excess water is allowed to drain away from the root zone. Overwatering and poor drainage can cause bud drop.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Over the winter months, ensure that these cacti are not exposed to frost conditions. They can either be covered with burlap or frost cloth for short periods, or be brought into a more sheltered location like a greenhouse or indoors over the winter months to ensure survival. Orchid Cacti are typically long-lived perennial plants, able to survive in the landscape for 10 to 20 years or more with proper care. They reach maturity and will begin to bloom after 2 to 3 years.

Caring for Epiphyllum in Containers
Epiphyllum cacti are commonly grown in containers or hanging baskets. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix like Orchid bark or a combination of coco coir, perlite, bark and pumice. Place the container in an area that gets partial sun; ideally, they appreciate between 4 and 6 hours of sun each day, with some shade in the afternoon to avoid scorching foliage. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Caring for Epiphyllum Indoors
Orchid Cacti are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and do not handle cold temperatures well. In areas that experience frost or consistent temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit on a regular basis, these plants should be grown indoors for best results. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix like Orchid bark or a combination of coco coir, perlite, bark and pumice. Place the container in a space that receives bright, indirect light or filtered sun. To thrive indoors, these cacti do well near an east-facing window to avoid scorching. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Epiphyllum, or Orchid Cacti, are most easily propagated through taking and rooting cuttings from an existing plant. The best time of the year to complete this process is in spring or summer, when the plant is in its active growing phase. To propagate your Orchid Cacti through cutting, follow the directions below:

Propagating Epiphyllum by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of Orchid Cacti cuttings is a light Orchid bark mix or a combination of coco coir, perlite, bark and pumice.
In spring or summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6-8 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and make sure to remove any woody growth at the cutting's base (anything that is not fleshy and pure green). At this point, the cutting can be left in a cool, dry area to form a callous or it can be directly planted into potting mix.
Make a hole in the planting medium and plant the cutting. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. It should be kept in warm, sunny conditions in a protected area. Water whenever the soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, the cutting should be rooted. New growth indicates the formation of roots.
Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.