Epiphyllum hookeri
| Light | Bright, filtered light; protect from harsh direct midday sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Regular in the growing season; keep evenly moist but never sodden, ease off in winter |
| Soil | Rich, open, free-draining mix with plenty of organic matter (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above about 10 °C; frost-tender, USDA zones 10–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (easy); also seed |
| Toxicity | Generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Epiphyllum hookeri is a robust, sprawling night-blooming orchid cactus native to the American tropics and widely grown as an easy-going ornamental. It produces long, flattened, leaf-like green stems and very large, fragrant white flowers that open after dark, giving rise to common names such as Hooker's orchid cactus. Vigorous and forgiving, it has escaped cultivation and become naturalized in warm regions well beyond its native range, and belongs to the genus Epiphyllum.
Description
Epiphyllum hookeri is an epiphytic or lithophytic cactus that grows as a cascade of long, arching to pendent stems. The stems are flattened and strap-like — leaf-like in appearance despite being true stems — with a prominent midrib and gently scalloped (crenate) margins along which the areoles and flowers are borne. Young growth may be somewhat cylindrical at the base before flattening out. Like most epiphyllums, the plant is essentially spineless.
The flowers are the main event: large, funnel-shaped and white, often with narrow, spreading outer segments that give a spidery, star-like silhouette. They open at night, are sweetly fragrant, and typically last only until the following morning. As with other night-blooming cacti, the blooms are adapted for pollination by moths and other nocturnal visitors. Successful pollination is followed by fleshy, often reddish fruits.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to tropical Mexico, Central America and northern South America, and to parts of the Caribbean. In the wild it grows as an epiphyte perched in the forks and branches of trees, or as a lithophyte on shaded rocks, rooting in pockets of leaf litter and mossy debris rather than in true soil. These are humid, frost-free forest habitats with bright but dappled light beneath the canopy.
Because it is so vigorous and easily propagated, E. hookeri has been carried around the tropics and subtropics as an ornamental and now grows wild well beyond its native range, naturalizing in suitable warm climates.
Cultivation
Epiphyllum hookeri is one of the more forgiving orchid cacti and a good choice for beginners to the group. Grow it in a rich but open, free-draining mix — a cactus mix loosened with bark, coir or leaf mould suits it well — reflecting its epiphytic roots. Bright, filtered light is ideal; plants in too much shade grow lush but flower poorly, while unshaded midday sun can scorch the stems.
Water regularly through the warm growing season, keeping the medium lightly moist but never waterlogged, and reduce watering over the cooler months to give the plant a short, drier rest that helps trigger flowering. It appreciates warmth, humidity and protection from frost. The long stems become heavy and pendent, so the plant is well suited to a hanging basket or a raised pot where the growth can trail. Feed sparingly with a balanced or bloom-oriented fertiliser during active growth. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Propagation is easiest from stem cuttings. Take a healthy segment, let the cut end callus over for several days in a dry, shaded spot, then insert it into a lightly moist, open medium; cuttings root readily in warm conditions. This is by far the most common method and yields flowering-sized plants quickly. The species can also be raised from seed sown on a warm, humid surface, though seedlings take longer to reach blooming size. See Propagation — cuttings for a full walkthrough.
Common problems
- Rot — soft, browning stems usually signal overwatering or a mix that holds too much moisture; epiphytic cacti dislike sodden roots.
- Few or no flowers — most often from too little light or the lack of a cool, drier winter rest.
- Sun scorch — pale, bleached or corky patches on stems exposed to harsh direct sun.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the areoles) and scale are the usual offenders, with the occasional aphid on tender new growth; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Epiphyllum — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — cuttings · Repotting · Pests and diseases