Easter lily cactus care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Easter lily cactus

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every 10 days

A summer grower: water well two or three days after the soil has dried through, as a guide, and evening watering in midsummer encourages buds.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 14 days

As it cools, water about one to two weeks after the soil dries.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every month

Dormant in winter: nearly dry, with a light watering about once a month on a warm morning, as a guide; kept dry it is generally cold-tolerant.

Light and placement for Easter lily cactus

A sunny, airy spot as a guide: direct sun outdoors in spring and fall, since low light stops flowering and stretches the body, while light shade from midsummer afternoon sun prevents scorch.

Overwintering Easter lily cactus

Overwintering guide: 3°C (37°F) or above

Fairly hardy: kept dry it generally takes about 3°C and can winter under the eaves on the Kanto and Kansai plains, out of frost and rain, or at a sunny window indoors, as a guide; winter chill helps set spring flowers.

Fertilizing and repotting Easter lily cactus

Fertilizer

Feed lightly: diluted liquid fertilizer about once a month from April to September and none from fall on, as too much gives offsets instead of flowers.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Common problems with Easter lily cactus

• Watered through winter, the roots rot and it does not plump up in spring.
• Short of light indoors, only the tip grows, thin and pale.
• Left crowded with offsets, it overheats and rots.

Tips for growing Easter lily cactus

• A cool, dry winter rest sets it up for large spring flowers.
• Detach offsets in spring, dry them a few days, and set them on dry mix to root.
• Each flower lasts only a day or two, so watch closely once the buds swell.

More cactus care guides

• Golden barrel cactusKroenleinia grusonii
• Hedgehog cactusEchinocereus
• Mistletoe cactusRhipsalis
• Old man cactusCephalocereus senilis
• Pincushion cactusMammillaria
• Prickly pearOpuntia