You don’t have to live in the rainforest in order to grow the Epiphyllum cacti. This cactus is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 9b and 10. For those of us who live in zones below 9, this plant can be grown indoors as a potted plant.
The flowers shapes vary from bell-shaped, cup-shaped, funnel-form and irregular. It depends on the variety you choose to grow. Non-hybrids usually have white flowers and they bloom during the nighttime hours. The hybrids bloom during the day and the flowers come in a variety of colors like pink, red, violet and yellow. Booming begins in February and many will continue to bloom until July. The stems are leaf-like and flat.
Prepare the Pot
Find a plastic pot for your plant. Choose a pot that is slightly wider than the width of the cactus. Don’t use a pot that is too big because the potting mixture could go stagnant and your plant may die. Make sure the pot has at least one drainage hole at the bottom so excess water can drain away. Plastic pots are the recommended container because the compost can retain moisture better than in a clay or terracotta pot.
Place a coffee filter, rocks, or shard pieces to cover the drainage holes.
Mix up your potting soil. Epiphyllum cacti grow best in a well-draining soil. You can buy some cacti soil or mix your own by combining 1 part compost, 3 parts peat moss and 1 part sharp sand. Fill the pot or pots with this mixture leaving the soil 1/2 inch below the rim of the pot to allow for watering.
Transplanting
Remove the cacti by wrapping newspaper around the stem to prevent it from breaking or damage. Carefully remove the plant from the pot and check the roots. Trim away any damaged roots or roots that have signs of rotting.
Location to grow.
Find a sunny window for the plant to grow in, but keep it out of direct sunlight. They need bright light to grow and flower. If they don’t receive enough light, the flowers will be too heavy for the stems to support. Also, it is important not to move this plant when the buds are forming and/or the plant is in bloom. This causes stress on the plant and the flowers and buds will drop.
Grow this plant indoors when the temperatures drop in the 50° Fahrenheit range. When summer arrives, take the plant outdoors. Find a sheltered location that provides good light, but keep out of direct sunlight.
Watering
Water the Epiphyllum cactus thoroughly. During April/May through September, while the plant is actively growing, keep the soil moist, but not soggy. After September, when the plant enters dormancy, do not water as frequently. Only provide enough to prevent the soil from completely drying out.
Fertilizing
Feed the Epiphyllum cactus every other time you water with a general-purpose fertilizer in May until September 1st. For the last three feedings, use a fertilizer that has a higher potash level. This helps to harden off the plant of summer growth.
Sources:
The Amateur’s Digest: Epiphyllums
University of Missouri: Epiphyllum
