Queen of the night care guide
Epiphyllum oxypetalum
Also known as: Dutchman's pipe cactus, Orchid cactus
Pets and children
We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
How often to water Queen of the night
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 5 days
- A summer grower: as a guide, water thoroughly whenever the surface dries, in the morning or evening during midsummer.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 10 days
- The soil dries more slowly as it cools, so wait two or three days after it dries, as a guide.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 20 days
- Resting indoors, give a light watering roughly one to two weeks after the soil dries.
Light and placement for Queen of the night
Generally bright part shade, with morning sun outdoors in spring and fall; midsummer sun bleaches and scorches the flat stems, so shade it, while too little light means no buds at all.
Overwintering Queen of the night
Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above
As a guide, move it to a bright window indoors when nights fall below about 10°C, keep it above 5°C, and let it rest with less water away from direct heater drafts.
Fertilizing and repotting Queen of the night
Fertilizer
Slow-release fertilizer every two months or diluted liquid feed about twice a month from April to September; a high-nitrogen feed gives stems instead of flowers, so choose one richer in phosphorus.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
Common problems with Queen of the night
- Left in shade, it makes stems for years without a single flower.
- Overwatered in winter, the roots rot and the stems yellow from the base.
- Midsummer sun scorches the stems, leaving them bleached.
Tips for growing Queen of the night
- Each flower opens at night and wilts by morning, so watch on the evening the swollen bud turns upward.
- It flowers once mature, so avoid cutting it back too hard and let the broad flat stems develop.
- A cut stem dried for a few days and set in soil roots easily.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
