{"id":6165,"date":"2026-02-06T15:21:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T23:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/06\/how-to-care-for-epiphyllums-indoors\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T15:21:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T23:21:36","slug":"how-to-care-for-epiphyllums-indoors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/06\/how-to-care-for-epiphyllums-indoors\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Care for Epiphyllums Indoors"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Humidity<\/h3>\n

In their natural habitats, ambient humidity would fulfill a portion of their moisture needs, so water vapor is an important element of the environment for these cacti.<\/p>\n

Epiphyllums will be happiest in conditions with at least 50 percent humidity.<\/p>\n

There are a few different ways you can increase relative humidity, if needed. Misting the foliage with water from a spray bottle is an easy, low budget way to start.<\/p>\n

Another method is to situate your houseplants in groupings to create a more humid microclimate.<\/p>\n

Finally, if you want to step up your efforts a bit, using a humidifier near orchid cacti is an excellent way to help raise relative humidity.<\/p>\n

Fertilizing<\/h3>\n

Starting about a month after flowering, begin fertilizing your orchid cactus with a gentle, balanced fertilizer to encourage foliage growth.<\/p>\n

Young orchid cacti that are not expected to bloom can be fertilized this way starting a bit earlier, in early spring.<\/p>\n

Dr. Earth\u2019s Pump and Grow Indoor House Plant Food is a gentle fertilizer with a ratio of 1-1-1 (NPK) that will help nourish the cactus and encourage foliage growth.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Dr. Earth\u2019s Pump and Grow Indoor House Plant Food<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find a 16-ounce pump container of Dr. Earth\u2019s Pump and Grow Indoor House Plant Food available for purchase at Arbico Organics<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This or a similar product can be applied every two weeks from spring through autumn.<\/p>\n

And to encourage blooming, switch to a low-nitrogen fertilizer in late autumn, then stop fertilizing during winter.<\/p>\n

Be sure to follow the manufacturer\u2019s instructions for application.<\/p>\n

Any fertilizers with NPK ratios higher than 10-10-10 should be diluted.<\/p>\n

Species and Cultivars<\/h2>\n

Choosing which type of epiphyllum to grow is lots of fun \u2013 there are so many choices!<\/p>\n

Epiphyllums are sold as potted plants, rooted cuttings, or unrooted cuttings.<\/p>\n

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Some nurseries sell specimens that have been identified by their species or cultivar name, while others may just offer selections labeled as \u201cwhite,\u201d \u201cyellow,\u201d or \u201cred,\u201d in reference to bloom colors.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s start looking at a few options!<\/p>\n

Ackermannii<\/h3>\n

Commonly known as \u201cred orchid cactus,\u201d Disocactus ackermannii<\/em> was formerly classified as an Epiphyllum<\/em> species.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s still commonly referred to as E. ackermannii<\/em>, which is considered a synonym.<\/p>\n

This spring-blooming species bears red flowers that reach up to six inches across, remaining on the plant for a few days.<\/p>\n

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D. ackermannii<\/em>. Photo by Georgfotoart, Wikimedia Commons, via CC BY-SA<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Stems range from seven inches to three feet long and have prominent veins and undulating margins.<\/p>\n

D. ackermannii<\/em> received the Royal Horticultural Society\u2019s Award of Garden Merit in 2012.<\/p>\n

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D. Ackermannii<\/em> Red Orchid Cactus<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find red-flowered D. ackermannii<\/em> plants in six-inch pots available from Hirt\u2019s Gardens Store via Amazon<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Fishbone<\/h3>\n

Disocactus anguliger,<\/em>\u00a0formerly classified as Epiphyllum anguliger<\/em> is also known as zig zag or ric rac cactus.<\/p>\n

This epiphyte grows up to 18 inches tall and 36 inches wide with unique zig-zagging stems that trail out of hanging baskets or over the sides of pots.<\/p>\n

It features large yellow and white flowers that are trumpet-shaped with elongated, funnel-shaped petals.<\/p>\n

Learn more about growing fishbone cactus here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Guatemalense<\/h3>\n

Commonly known as \u201ccurly locks orchid cactus,\u201d this naturally occurring subspecies has undulating stems that look like big, wavy locks of hair on older specimens.<\/p>\n

Stems have a prominent midvein.<\/p>\n

Classified as Epiphyllum hookeri <\/em>ssp. <\/em>guatemalense<\/em> but also sometimes as E. guatemalense<\/em>, <\/em>this member of the Epiphyllum<\/em> genus produces <\/em>white blooms.<\/p>\n

This variety is also sometimes called \u201ccurly sue\u201d or Epiphyllum guatemalense <\/em>\u2018Monstrose.\u2019<\/p>\n

Oxypetalum<\/h3>\n

\u201cQueen of the night\u201d is the common name for the most well-known member of the Epiphyllum<\/em> genus, E. oxypetalum<\/em>.<\/p>\n

This orchid cactus species, also known as \u201cDutchman\u2019s pipe cactus,\u201d has funnel-shaped, night-blooming flowers that can reach over seven inches wide.<\/p>\n

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Queen of the Night (E. oxypetalum<\/em>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The showy, fragrant blooms are white with gold sepals, and are short-lived, lasting one night only.<\/p>\n

E. oxypetalum<\/em> has stems that can reach up to 10 feet or more.<\/p>\n

This species is also known as \u201clady of the night,\u201d and \u201cnight-blooming cereus.\u201d It shares those two names, as well as \u201cqueen of the night\u201d with a few types of desert cacti that are members of the Cereus<\/em> genus, such as C. peruvianus.<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll want to be sure you choose the right \u201cqueen of the night\u201d for your purposes, since these two types of cacti have different care needs.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find a queen of the night epiphyllum in two-gallon pots available from Planet Desert<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Maintenance<\/h2>\n

In general, species plants bloom in the spring, while hybrids bloom in summer or fall.<\/p>\n

Epiphyllums can take between three and seven years to produce blooms, depending on the species or cultivar and the growing conditions.<\/p>\n

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There are several steps you can take to encourage blooming.<\/p>\n

First, make sure the cactus is in an appropriately sized pot.<\/p>\n

For epiphyllums to set blooms, they need to have enough light. Exposing plants to some direct sunlight in the morning will encourage blooming.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n