Epiphyllum spp.
Orchid cacti, or epiphyllums, are forest cacti with long, flat, succulent stems that produce incredible blooms. These long-lived plants are easy to care for, fun to propagate, and stand up well to neglect!
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The world of epiphyllums is a fascinating one – but it can also be somewhat confusing. In this article we’ll disentangle those head-scratching snarls, and provide guidance for every step of growing these extraordinary cacti.
I’m going to focus primarily on growing epiphyllums as houseplants here, though I’ll offer care tips for outdoor orchid cacti specimens as well.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
What You’ll Learn
What Are Epiphyllums?
Epiphyllums are primarily epiphytes, but some may also be lithophytes, that hail from tropical or semi-tropical forests.
While epiphytes derive moisture and nutrients from precipitation and the air, and typically live on host plants in the wild, lithophytes grow on rocks.
Known as “orchid cacti” these plants are recognizable by their long, succulent, flattened stems which are typically at least a couple of inches wide.
The foliage of these plants can grow to impressive lengths, depending on the species or cultivar, reaching two feet to upwards of ten feet.
The stems generally have an arching, weeping growth habit, making them well-suited to growing in hanging baskets.
The leafless stems of epiphyllums are smooth and tend to be flat, though some exhibit three-sided growth. These stems have notched margins, and can produce aerial roots.
The big attraction for fanatics of these spineless cacti, though, is their flowers.
Most blooms are four to eight inches across, though the blooms of some orchid cactus cultivars can reach a staggering 14 inches wide. They are, to put it mildly, rather showy.
Some of these jungle cacti bloom only at night and are pollinated by bats or long-tongued moths, while others are day bloomers, attracting diurnal pollinators.
Flowers are produced from the notches in orchid cactus stems, at areolas, and these blooms tend to be short-lived. When pollinated, they produce edible fruits similar to pitayas, which are sometimes referred to as “pods.”
You can learn more about epiphyllum seed pods in our article. (coming soon!)
In addition to producing flowers, areolas produce secondary stems, which may appear to be leaves – but aren’t!
However, when new stems first appear, they are often rounded and bristly, only flattening and losing their bristles as they mature.
Remember when I mentioned that some confusion exists involving epiphyllums? Now that you have an idea of what they look like, it’s time to do some untangling.
When asked the question, “What are epiphyllums?” an honest answer would be, “Well, that depends.”
The term “epiphyllum” refers to three types of cacti. Or four, if you dig deep.
One use of this term refers to the members of the Epiphyllum genus. Let’s call these plants Epiphyllum with a capital E. The members of this genus include species such as E. oxypetalum, also known as “queen of the night,” and several others. I’ll refer to these as “species plants.”
Here’s where the confusion starts to come in. The term “epiphyllum” also refers to certain hybrid plants whose lineage might include members of the Epiphyllum genus – but might not. I’ll refer to these as hybrids or cultivars.
Some of the cacti used to create these knock-out hybrids – members of the Disocactus genus as well as the Selenicereus genus – used to be considered part of the Epiphyllum genus but have since been reclassified for taxonomic purposes.
These former members are also frequently referred to as “epiphyllums.”
The good news is, whichever type you have, the care they require is similar.
There’s a fourth use of the term “epiphyllum” which isn’t quite as widespread. This term was formerly used as a genus name for yet another group of cacti, which is now known as Schlumbergera, and which includes the plants known as Christmas cacti or holiday cacti.
We won’t be covering the Schlumbergera plants in this article – you can learn more about them in our complete guide to growing Christmas cactus.
So, just to recap – Epiphyllum with a capital E is a genus used for botanical naming purposes, epiphyllums with a lower-case e may be members of that genus, former members of that genus, or hybrids that have very similar genetic ancestry and care needs.
Whew!
Now that this epic ball of confusion has been untangled, let’s learn a bit more about where orchid cacti come from so we can understand how to best care for them.
Cultivation and History
Plants in the Epiphyllum genus are native to Central and South America. Members of this genus have also naturalized in places like Florida, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia – a fact which attests to the ease with which they grow.
In the wild, epiphyllums grow in tropical or semi-tropical forests in dappled light and warm, humid conditions.
Epiphyllums are related to the much more well-known holiday plant, the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera spp.), but also to other houseplants such as rat tail cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis) and the landscaping cactus par excellence, prickly pear.
Epiphyllums share a similar native range to species in the Disocactus and Selenicereus genera, members of which have been used to create hybrid epiphyllums.
In fact, the reason that epiphyllums cross so easily with species of Disocactus and Selenicereus is because the three genera are part of the same tribe, the Hylocereeae, within the cactus family.
Although, I’m also willing to hazard a guess that humans care a lot more about drawing lines between taxonomic categories than plants do!
Epiphyllums are commonly called “phyllocacti,” “climbing cacti,” “leaf cacti,” and sometimes “epicacti.” And though they are not related to orchids, they are often called “orchid cacti” because of their stunning blooms.
They are also lovingly referred to as “epis” or “epies” by their fans.
Orchid cacti were first bred to create hybrid cultivars in the 1800s. There are now thousands of different hybrid cultivars with seemingly endless bloom variations.
And while epis make great houseplants, they can also grow outdoors year round in USDA Hardiness Zones 10b to 12a when provided with the right soil and water conditions.
Propagation
While it’s possible to grow orchid cacti from seed, that method requires sourcing the seed, which in itself is not an easy task – you’ll likely have to grow your own.
So, for the purpose of this article, we’re going to stick to a much easier method : propagating epiphyllums from cuttings.
From Cuttings
Here’s what you’ll need for this project: a cutting that is six to nine inches long, growing medium, and a four-inch nursery pot. Rooting hormone can also be used but this is optional.
If you’re taking a cutting from a mature specimen, use a sterilized pair of scissors to cut the stem cleanly at its base.
Next, you’ll want to allow the cutting to cure. If you’re using rooting hormone, such as Olivia’s Cloning Gel, go ahead and apply it to the cut end of the stem first.
Need your own jar of Olivia’s Cloning Gel? You’ll find it in a selection of sizes from Arbico Organics.
Allow the cutting to cure for a week to 10 days in a cool, dark place. You’ll know it’s cured when a callus has formed on the cut end of the stem.
Next, fill the nursery pot with potting medium, leaving an inch of space between the soil surface and the rim. You’ll find potting medium recommendations a little later in the article.
Insert the cutting two to four inches deep in the potting medium, so there are two to four areoles beneath the soil.
Here’s the hard part – don’t water the soil right away. Wait one to two weeks before watering, and in the meantime, mist the cutting daily (or more often during hot weather) to help keep it hydrated.
You’ll find step by step instructions on propagating queen of the night from cuttings in our guide. (coming soon!)
How to Grow
Epiphyllums are easy to grow. In fact, they are even quite tolerant of neglectful plant parents.
However, for the happiest houseplants, it’s best to start off on the right foot by learning which growing conditions will allow them to thrive – even when subjected to a bit of neglect.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Sun
Epiphyllums grow best in 50 to 75 percent shade.
Indoors, this means they should be grown primarily in bright, indirect light.
For those growing orchid cacti outdoors, they should be hung under trees in dappled shade, or grown under laths or shade fabric.
Indoors or out, expose epiphyllums to a few hours of direct sun in the morning, which will help promote flowering.
However, avoid direct sun during the middle of the day. Midday sun can burn foliage quickly, and sunscalding can be apparent right away or it may show up later.
When temperatures are particularly hot, err on the side of providing more shade to help the plant resist heat stress.
If you’re not sure whether your specimen is getting the right amount of light, watch out for leaves that are wilted and yellow, or sunburned. These symptoms are signs that the epiphyllum is getting too much sun.
Instead, your orchid cacti’s foliage should be light to dark green, while new foliage is often tinged with red.
Soil
It’s helpful to know what conditions a wild plant would have grown in when choosing soil for our houseplants.
As for epiphyllums, they are epiphytes or lithophytes that grow in shallow deposits of organic matter.
That means they don’t need a large amount of soil for their roots, but they do need good root aeration, good drainage, and a medium that can retain moisture.
Despite these preferences, orchid cacti are rather flexible about their growing medium, so you have options, as long as the medium contains organic matter and is chunky and loose.
Some growers like to include some leaf compost in their growing medium – not a bad idea, since these species would grow in decomposing leaf litter in their natural habitats.
Other gardeners like to use cactus soil with added orchid bark.
And enthusiasts at the Epiphyllum Society of America recommend potting orchid cacti in a medium that is made up of one-third coarse material.
My premixed growing medium of choice for epiphyllums is De La Tank’s Houseplant Mix. It contains chunky coconut husks, pumice, compost, and fertilizer.
You’ll find De La Tank’s houseplant mix for purchase in a one-, eight-, or 16-quart bag via Arbico Organics.
In most locations, gardeners growing epiphyllums outdoors year-round will find it easier to keep them healthy when planted in pots filled with an appropriate growing medium as opposed to growing them directly in the ground, since heavy rainfalls and insufficient drainage can cause disease problems.
Water
Epiphyllums are cacti, but these cacti come from forests, not deserts. While they do have succulent foliage, they prefer growing conditions that are more moist than their relatives from arid regions do.
So, try to keep the epiphyllum’s growing medium moist, but not soggy, and avoid letting the potting medium dry out completely between waterings.
A good rule of thumb is to water when the top third of the soil is dry. You can insert a finger into the growing medium to check this.
Or, instead of using a finger to test for dryness, try using a moisture meter to check the specimen’s growing medium. You’ll learn more about using moisture meters in our article.
If in doubt, err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering, since too much water can cause plants to rot.
How frequently you will need to water will depend on the conditions in your home – or outdoors, if you are growing your epis outside.
Like many houseplants, epiphyllums have changing water needs throughout the year.
From spring to summer, water regularly when the top third of the soil dries out. This may mean once a week, or more frequently during hotter weather.
If the orchid cactus is outdoors and getting rainwater, do make sure it’s not getting too much – in their natural habitats epiphyllums would not be out in the open, and therefore would not be exposed to torrential downpours.
In late summer to early fall, start to reduce the frequency of waterings as hot temperatures taper off.
Finally, in late winter, withhold water for a month to provide a period of rest that will encourage blooming in spring or summer.
Temperature
Epiphyllums, like many houseplants, are most comfortable in the same temperature ranges where their human caretakers are also comfortable – for these plants that’s within a range of about 40 to 80°F.
Specimens sometimes survive freezing temperatures, but it’s best not to push your luck.
They can also tolerate hotter temperatures above 80°F, but with hotter weather it’s best to provide additional water.
During winter, move these plants to cooler locations, where temperatures between 52 and 57°F will help to encourage flowering come spring or summer.
While seeking out the location that will keep your epiphyllum in the right temperature range, avoid hot spots such as radiators or heat vents, and cold air from sources such as exterior doors and drafty windows.
Humidity
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.
Epiphyllums will be happiest in conditions with at least 50 percent humidity.
If you aren’t sure what the humidity level is in your home, you can check it with a humidity gauge. I prefer to use an analog humidity gauge that doubles as a thermometer, such as this gauge which requires no batteries or electricity.
Small Thermometer and Humidity Gauge
This small, green gauge is available from Tentop via Amazon.
If you determine that your indoor moisture is below the ideal range, there are a few different ways you can increase relative humidity.
Misting the epiphyllum’s foliage with water from a spray bottle is an easy, low budget way to start.
I like to keep a few clear glass spray bottles scattered around my home to mist my moisture-loving houseplants.
You can purchase a pack of two sixteen-ounce spray bottles from Sally’s Organics Store via Amazon.
Another means of raising humidity levels is to situate your houseplants in groupings to create a more humid microclimate.
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.
And remember, even those who live in humid climates may experience dry air during the winter when the heat is on, so monitor conditions in the winter as well as the summer.
Growing Tips
- Grow in bright, indirect light with a little direct sun in the morning.
- Use a well-draining, chunky growing medium.
- Keep soil moist but not soggy.
Maintenance
While orchid cacti aren’t difficult to keep as houseplants, there are a few tricks you can keep up your sleeve to enjoy them fully and keep them looking magnificent.
Flowering
If you’re interested in epiphyllums for their blooms, you’ll want to start off by knowing when to expect flowering in the first place.
In general, species plants bloom in the spring, while hybrids bloom in summer or fall.
Also, epiphyllums can take between three and seven years to produce blooms, depending on the species or cultivar and the specimen’s growing conditions.
Now that you know what to expect, there are several steps you can take to encourage blooming.
First, make sure the cactus is in an appropriately sized pot. We’ll go into more details about this in the repotting section of this guide, coming up shortly.
For epiphyllums to set blooms, they also need to have enough light. Exposing plants to some direct sunlight in the morning will encourage blooming.
Also, epiphyllums are stimulated to produce flowers after going through a semi-dormant period in the winter. So, expose orchid cacti to cooler, drier conditions in late winter. Review the temperature section above for specifics.
Finally, like Christmas cacti, long, uninterrupted nights can help epiphyllum bloom production.
One way to satisfy this requirement while providing cooler winter conditions simultaneously would be to situate your epiphyllum in a cool, unused or rarely used room on the north side of your home during the winter months.
Finally, once the big moment arrives and you notice buds on your epi, don’t move it. This can cause buds to drop off the plant.
Fertilizing
Starting about a month after flowering is finished for the year, begin fertilizing your orchid cactus with a gentle, balanced fertilizer to encourage foliage growth.
Young orchid cacti that are not expected to bloom can be fertilized this way starting a bit earlier, in early spring.
Dr. Earth’s 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.
Dr. Earth’s Pump and Grow Indoor House Plant Food
You’ll find a 16-ounce pump container of Dr. Earth’s Pump and Grow Indoor House Plant Food available for purchase at Arbico Organics. This liquid fertilizer is made from recycled food scraps.
This or a similar product can be applied every two weeks from spring through autumn.
And to encourage blooming, switch to a low-nitrogen fertilizer in late autumn, then stop fertilizing during winter, during the epiphyllum’s cold, dry “rest” period.
In later winter, resume applying low-nitrogen fertilizer, such as Fox Farm’s Big Bloom Plant Food Concentrate, which has an NPK ratio of 0.01-0.3-0.7.
Fox Farm Big Bloom Plant Food Concentrate
You’ll find Fox Farm’s Big Bloom Plant Food Concentrate available for purchase via Nature Hills Nursery.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying each of these fertilizers.
In the wild, orchid cacti grow in deposits of organic matter where they receive low doses of nutrients, so whatever fertilizer you choose, make sure it’s a gentle option that’s suitable for cactus houseplants.
Any fertilizers with NPK ratios higher than 10-10-10 for foliage growth or 02-10-10 for flowering should be diluted.
To learn more about plant nutrients and NPK ratios, be sure to read our article.
Repotting
Epiphyllums need to find a sweet spot in their pots.
They like to be in a somewhat snug pot, otherwise they won’t bloom. But likewise, if they are too root bound, they will stop growing and won’t bloom that way either.
Having said that, you may only need to repot your specimen every five to seven years.
When it’s time to repot, plan this project for the spring or summer during a period of active growth, and wait until the plant has finished flowering.
Choose a new pot that provides the epiphyllum’s roots with just a bit more room – and be sure to choose a pot that will support the weight of the plant.
Place a layer of potting medium in the bottom of the new pot.
Next, remove the specimen from its old pot. Try to minimize your impact on the specimen’s root ball while transplanting; just brush a little soil off the root ball gently.
Now place the specimen in its new pot, situating it so you leave about an inch of room between the top of the root ball and the rim of the pot, to make watering easier.
Fill in around the root ball with potting medium.
Rather than watering right away, wait for a week, then water as usual.
Offering Support
Most epiphyllums have a trailing growth habit that works beautifully in hanging baskets.
But this isn’t your only option – and hanging baskets may not be the best selection for gardeners whose specimens display more upright and less weeping growth.
For a more upright display, orchid cacti can be supported by a trellis or stakes.
Small stakes, encircled with twine or string, can be used to create a “cage” for the plant to grow within.
Head to Amazon to purchase a 25-pack of three-foot, natural bamboo stakes from the GROWIT Store.
Or you might require a large trellis which can help support bigger, more mature plants, such as this obelisk-style, steel trellis.
Powder-Coated Steel Garden Obelisk
Five-, seven-, and eight-foot obelisk-style trellises are available for purchase with either a bronze or an antique copper finish at Plow and Hearth.
Trellising isn’t the only need for support you might encounter with your leaf cactus.
As with hoyas, these plants have a massive amount of foliage compared to the size of their root balls, so the size of their pots will be relatively small, often making them somewhat unbalanced and likely to tip.
Placing an even layer of rocks or pebbles on the surface of the growing medium can help balance out the weight of the foliage and prevent the plant from tipping over.
Deadheading
Spent orchid cactus flowers can be deadheaded as needed.
Be sure to use a pair of sterilized scissors or garden pruners for this job, to avoid spreading disease pathogens.
You can find more tips on deadheading spent flowers in our article.
However, if there’s a chance that the blooms were pollinated and you’d like to try growing fruit or saving seeds from your specimen, leave the flowers on the orchid cactus to allow fruit to develop.
Keeping Specimens Identified
If your encounter with an epiphyllum isn’t a mere flirtation but the start of your own personal collection full of outrageously glorious hybrids, you’ll need to have a way to tell them apart.
After all, when orchid cacti aren’t in bloom, one can look much like another.
Some growers write a specimen’s species or cultivar name directly on a stem with a permanent marker. This is often practiced when sharing cuttings as well. But it’s certainly not the most attractive way to identify your orchid cacti!
Plant tags are a good alternative. And while writing names on plastic plant markers with a pen is an option, even permanent markers sometimes turn out to not be so permanent.
Instead, I like metal tags that are soft enough that you can engrave them with a pencil or pen.
By bearing down onto the metal as you write, it becomes engraved with the name – and there’s no more worry about ink being washed off, because the “engraved” name will still be there.
Pack of 50 Aluminum Plant Tags
Want to try this method of identifying your plants? You’ll find a pack of 50 aluminum plant tags for purchase from the PinCute Store via Amazon.
Species and Varieties to Select
Choosing which type of epiphyllum to grow is lots of fun – there are so many choices! But some plant lovers may feel overwhelmed by the huge number of options.
So, before we look at a selection of recommended varieties and species, let’s talk a little bit more about how various options will present themselves.
Epiphyllums are sold as potted plants, rooted cuttings, or unrooted cuttings.
Some nurseries sell specimens that have been identified by their species or cultivar name, while others may just offer selections labeled as “white,” “yellow,” or “red,” in reference to bloom colors.
When deciding on a bloom color, be aware that straight species epiphyllums – which tend to have white flowers – bloom at night.
On the other hand, colorful cultivars with red, pink, purple, yellow, or orange flowers are more likely to bloom during the day.
Epiphyllums with smaller flowers tend to hold their blooms longer, for two or three days, while the largest blooms tend to be quite short-lived, remaining open for only one night.
Another important distinction is that hybrids tend to be more compact while species plants can produce stems that grow to staggering lengths – up to 20 feet or more.
Now, let’s start looking at a few options!
Ackermannii
Commonly known as “red orchid cactus,” Disocactus ackermannii was formerly classified as an Epiphyllum species but was transferred to the closely related Disocactus genus.
It’s still commonly referred to as E. ackermannii, which is considered a synonym.
This spring-blooming species bears red flowers that reach up to six inches across, remaining on the plant for a few days.
Stems range from seven inches to three feet long and have prominent veins and undulating margins.
D. ackermannii received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2012.
D. Ackermannii Red Orchid Cactus in 6” Pot
You’ll find a live, red-flowered D. ackermannii orchid cactus plant available for purchase in a six-inch pot from Hirt’s Gardens Store via Amazon.
Guatemalense
Commonly known as “curly locks orchid cactus,” this naturally occurring subspecies has undulating stems that look like big, wavy locks of hair on older specimens. Stems have a prominent midvein.
Classified as Epiphyllum hookeri ssp. guatemalense but also sometimes as E. guatemalense, this member of the Epiphyllum genus produces white blooms.
This variety is also sometimes called “curly sue” or Epiphyllum guatemalense ‘Monstrose.’
Curly Sue E. Guatemalense in 6” Pot
You’ll find curly locks cacti in six-inch pots available for purchase from the House Plant Shop via Walmart.
You can learn more about growing curly locks orchid cactus in our article. (coming soon!)
Oxypetalum
“Queen of the night” is the common name for the most well-known member of the Epiphyllum genus, E. oxypetalum.
This orchid cactus species, also known as “Dutchman’s pipe cactus,” has funnel-shaped, night-blooming flowers that can reach over seven inches wide.
Queen of the night’s showy, fragrant blooms are white with gold sepals, and are short-lived, lasting one night only.
E. oxypetalum, a forest cactus, like the other Epiphyllum species, has stems that can reach impressive lengths – up to 10 feet or more.
This species is also known as “lady of the night,” and “night-blooming cereus.” It shares those two names, as well as “queen of the night” with a few types of desert cacti that are members of the Cereus genus, such as C. peruvianus.
You’ll want to be sure you choose the right “queen of the night” for your purposes, since these two types of cacti have different care needs.
E. Oxypetalum Queen of the Night Plant in Grower’s Pot
You’ll find a queen of the night epiphyllum in a grower’s pot from the Easy to Grow Store via Amazon.
Want More Options?
This selection of species and varieties is just a light skim of the surface – there are so many other incredible options! You can discover a large selection of these in our guide on 23 of the most fabulous types of epiphyllums.
Managing Pests and Disease
Many gardeners grow epiphyllums without encountering pest or disease problems, but it’s always good to know what to be on the lookout for.
Gastropods
Gardeners growing orchid cacti in the yard year-round or placing houseplants outdoors during the warm months may have to contend with some competition.
While we want to admire the lovely foliage and flowers of these plants, snails and slugs may prefer to express their admiration via their sense of taste.
These mollusks will only be a problem for specimens grown outdoors or in a greenhouse.
You can learn all about protecting your outdoor plants from slugs and snails in our article.
Insects
Snails and slugs aren’t the only leaf connoisseurs you might encounter when growing orchid cacti. Keep reading to learn more.
Mealybugs
If I were giving out awards to houseplant pests – which, sorry bugs, I’m not! – mealybugs would get my vote for “Most Creative Pest Costume.”
These sucking insects look like they have dressed themselves up as bits of fluff, or with a bit of imagination or some bad eyeglasses, teeny-tiny sheep.
Whether you find these puffy white pests kind of cute or downright detestable, you don’t want to find them on your houseplants.
They will suck valuable nutrients from the stems of orchid cacti and can leave sticky trails of honeydew behind, which can foster fungal growth.
If you encounter these pests, I recommend first trying to remove them by spraying them with a strong jet of water to knock them off.
Wait a week or so, and if you find more mealybugs, my next recommendation is to treat your orchid cactus with nontoxic neem oil, which is safe for humans and pets.
Monterey neem oil is available in an assortment of jug sizes at Arbico Organics.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying this project to the soil as well as the foliage.
Be prepared to reapply until populations of mealybugs have disappeared from your plant’s foliage. It may take a few applications until they are gone.
Learn more about identifying and controlling mealybugs in our article.
Scale
Second place for the imaginary “Most Creative Pest Costume” award goes to scale insects. (Way to go, guys!)
When you have a scale infestation, you may not notice the insects until your plant starts to look sick. On closer inspection you will find some spots that look like bits of dirt or discoloration but are in fact insects that have small domes over them to help them blend in with the plant.
If you aren’t sure whether it’s scale or just a blemish, try scraping one of the spots off with a fingernail – if it scrapes away and produces a liquid, congratulations, you’ve got scale!
Scale insects are related to mealybugs, and like those pests, they will suck nutrients from plant tissues, weakening specimens and potentially killing them.
And as with mealybugs, scale infestations can be treated with neem oil. Apply once a week if needed, continuing treatment until pests are gone.
You’ll find more help on dealing with these pests in our complete article on identifying and controlling scale insects.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are another common houseplant pest, and they can target epiphyllums too.
These pests use the “costume” tactic of being almost unspottable, they are so tiny.
Gardeners may notice sickly-looking plants before they spot the culprit – a tiny arachnid (but not an actual spider) that sucks juices from plant tissue, leaving foliage looking stippled with tiny white or yellow spots.
When infestations are large, webbing will become apparent on foliage as well.
This pest is more likely to be a problem on stressed plants, so be sure to keep plants properly watered, especially during hot weather.
If you notice spider mites on your orchid cactus, first try removing them with a strong jet of water. That may be all that is necessary.
If that proves to be insufficient, neem oil can also be used to kill spider mites.
Whatever pest you’re dealing with, for specimens kept outdoors, be sure to learn the basics of Integrated Pest Management or IPM. Practicing IPM will allow you to employ strategies to eliminate pests while protecting beneficial insects.
Learn more about how to deal with spider mites in our guide.
Disease
You may get lucky with your epi and never have any diseases to worry about, but it’s nonetheless good to keep these illnesses on your radar, just in case.
Cactus Virus X
Cactus Virus X (CVX) is caused by a pathogen that can affect different members of the cactus family.
Signs of this virus include yellowing stems and dead plant tissue, but plants can also be asymptomatic. Some gardeners discover the presence of this disease only during flowering, with the appearance of discolored blooms.
This virus can spread throughout a cactus collection if good hygiene isn’t followed.
To prevent the spread of this (and other) diseases, wash your hands between handling different specimens, and sterilize tools as well.
Infected specimens may not show signs of illness, and if spread is not a concern – perhaps you only have one cactus! – then the specimen can be kept.
Discarding infected specimens may be prudent for gardeners who wish to prevent disease spread.
Root Rot
Root rot is only likely to occur when the plant’s roots stay too wet.
This can happen if the growing medium doesn’t drain well enough, if the specimen is in a pot that is too large, or if watering is just too frequent. Usually, the problem comes from a combination of these causes.
Signs of root rot can include yellowing stems or stems that look like they are drying out since this disease can prevent the plant from getting enough water and cause dehydration.
What’s more, rotting roots can harbor bacteria and fungi which can sicken the plant further.
The best treatment is prevention – make sure to choose a chunky, well-draining potting medium, and a pot of an appropriate size in comparison to the root structure so the growing medium doesn’t stay too wet.
These plants have shallow root systems, and rotten roots can quickly become unsalvageable. For specimens that have lost their roots to rotting, the best recourse is to take cuttings of the stems and propagate new plants.
Spotting
Various issues – both physiological and pathogenic – can cause spotting on epiphyllum stems, and some causes remain unknown.
Some varieties are more prone to this problem than others, so you may wish to avoid cultivars that are known to be more susceptible.
Also, avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, which can make the symptoms worse.
Root rot can sometimes cause spotting, so inspect the plant’s roots to see if they look healthy or not, and act accordingly.
Some spotting is caused by leaving branches wet in cool temperatures, so it’s preferable to water in the morning, and not on cold days.
Best Uses
As houseplants, epiphyllums fulfill a dual interest – they produce masses of succulent, green foliage, and bear strikingly ornamental flowers.
Orchid cacti are an obvious choice if you are looking for a trailing succulent to display in a hanging basket.
On the other hand, specimens that are staked or trellised rather than being placed in hanging baskets can create dramatic vertical interest.
These cacti are excellent picks if you are looking for a nontoxic houseplant, a feature which will be of special interest for households with curious children or mischievous pets.
And with edible fruits, you can consider growing these as part of your indoor garden and sampling the harvest.
Finally, for gardeners in Zones 10b to 12a, these plants make striking ornamentals (or fruit producers!) when planted in baskets or planters outdoors.
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Succulent epiphyte and/or lithophyte | Flower / Foliage Color: | White, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple/green |
| Native to: | Central America, South America | Maintenance | Moderate |
| Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 10b-12a | Soil Type: | Cactus soil with chunky organic matter added |
| Bloom Time: | Spring-fall | Soil pH: | 5.5-6.5 |
| Exposure: | Bright indirect light with some direct morning sun | Soil Drainage: | Well-draining |
| Time to Maturity: | 3-7 years to bloom | Attracts: | Bats, moths, other pollinators |
| Planting Depth: | 2- 4 inches (cuttings), level with top of root ball (transplants) | Companion Planting: | Christmas cactus, fern, Norfolk Island pine, orchid, spiderwort |
| Height: | 2-10 feet | Uses: | Indoor potted succulent collection, stand-alone specimen; outdoor xeriscaping ground cover |
| Spread: | 2-10 feet | Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Growth Rate: | Slow to fast, depending on variety | Family: | Cactaceae |
| Water Needs: | Moderate | Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Tolerance: | Humidity, neglect | Genus: | Epiphyllum |
| Common Pests and Diseases: | Aphids, fungus gnats, mealybugs, scale, spider mites; cactus virus X, root rot, spotting | Species: | Baueri, cartagense, chrysocardium, grandilobum, hookeri, laui, oxypetalum, phyllanthus, pumilum, thomasianum |
Feel Those Epic ‘Phyllums
Hey plant lover, are you getting all the feels for the epis? I’m right there with you.
And equipped with all of this knowledge, you’ll be filled not only with delight and admiration, but also with the triumph of keeping these plants happy and healthy for many years to come.
If you’re growing orchid cacti and would like to share your experiences and plant photos or ask a question, feel free to reach out via the comments section below. We’d love to keep sharing the epi love with you there.
And if you’d like to keep exploring the wonderful world of cacti and succulents, you’ll find more to dig into right here:
