Growing orchid cactus is a delight because of its large, cup-shaped blooms in exquisite hues. Put it in a hanging basket to display it, letting the long stems spill over the container.
The stems of orchid cacti are large, flat, and have serrated edges. Their maximum size is 2 feet (60 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) wide. They don’t put on much of a show, but you can rely on them to bloom every spring.
Flowers can be 4-8 in (10-20 cm) broad and appear at the ends of the stems. Epiphyllum hybrids, the majority of which are grown now, can be pink, red, white, yellow, orange, purple, or bicolored. You’ll get several months of blooming if you give your tropical cactus lots of sunshine.
Pruning Orchid Cactus
Unless you wish to limit its size, you won’t need to prune. After it stops flowering is the best time to trim it back. To avoid ripping the stems, use clean, sharp pruning scissors.
Keep those cuttings from the orchid cactus! To get more of these fascinating plants, propagate them. (See below, “Propagation”).
Wondering Whether to Repot…or Not?
Every two to three years, repot and upgrade to a larger pot. A little pot-bound orchid cactus enjoys and blooms best in this environment. Never repot it while it is in bloom because this will make the buds and blooms fall off.
Instead, top-dressing large plants involves adding a layer of new potting soil. To prevent dirt from spilling out while watering, leave about an inch (2.5 cm) of gap between the soil and the container rim.
How to Make Orchid Cactus Bloom
It’s simple to grow this flowering cactus, however there are a few things you can do to encourage blooming:
- Give it a break this winter. For the plant to set buds in the winter, it has to have a cool, dry rest period of roughly 8–10 weeks. During this period, water lightly and cease fertilizing.
- Bring some clarity. All year long, keep your orchid cactus in direct light. Keep the plant away of direct sunlight if you transfer it outside for the summer.
- Feed it. Fertilizer with a high phosphorus content will promote more flowers. Feeding should begin in the early spring and continue into the fall.
- Just let it be. Keep the plant in the same spot after the buds start to develop. It will lose its buds and flowers if you move it because of variations in temperature and light. Maintain it away from drafty areas as well, such as entrances and HVAC vents.
One of the most well-known species in this genus is Epiphyllum oxypetalum, which is seen below. It produces fragrant, white flowers that bloom for just one night before dying by morning. You can capture it in full bloom if you approach it covertly at night.
Orchid Cactus Problems and Solutions
blown-off flower buds? Don’t move the plant after the buds have formed. Flower buds will most likely fall off as the light changes. But don’t worry, these tropical hybrids are hardy and, with proper care, will bloom exquisitely when given what they desire.
Is there a problem with your plant? Verify the plant for any potential mealybug and scale infestations. To stop pests from spreading to your other houseplants, treat any infestation quickly and isolate the damaged plant.
Stem rot, which is brought on by overwatering, manifests as limp stems that darken at the base. Any rotting stems can be removed at the soil line.
How is an orchid cactus started?
To start propagating epiphyllums, choose a nice, plump leaf from your orchid cactus and clip it. Cut a 7-inch chunk of leaf using clean scissors or pruning shears, cutting diagonally between the leaf’s areoles (or zigzag patterns). According to the San Diego Epiphyllum Society, once you have your cuttings, you should wait 10 to 14 days for the cut end to heal before planting. Place the cuttings away from direct sunlight in a cool, dry area.
Prepare an 8- to 10-inch pot with bottom drainage before planting the cuttings. This pot can accommodate up to four orchid cactus cuttings. Only when the cactus has become rootbound in the pot, which might take two to three years, does it bloom. Lightweight soil, such as cactus mix, should be placed within the container after lightly moistening the soil. The cuttings may decay if the soil mixture is excessively damp. Place the cut end that has been healed into the ground approximately 2 inches deep, and compact the earth around it.
The orchid cactus cuttings should not be watered after being planted until they begin to form roots. Check to see if the cuttings have started to form a root system a few weeks after placing the container in a somewhat shaded area. If you feel some resistance when you gently tug on the cutting, the cutting is beginning to form roots. You can now begin to water the container.
How often should an orchid cactus be watered?
The orchid cactus is a robust indoor plant that is not for the timid! Although it’s simple to cultivate, your friends will think you’re an expert houseplant grower because to its exotic appearance. The orchid cactus has unusual-looking long, flat leaves that grow to twist and curl. It’s a great option for hanging baskets and tall pots because the leaves trail.
If you cultivate orchid cactus, grow it in a smooth, modern ceramic container to highlight the texture of the foliage. Alternately, cultivate an orchid cactus in a pot with a rough edge to contrast the foliage.
Cactus orchid Questions If you have any inquiries regarding orchid cactus houseplants, our specialists are happy to assist. Simply send us an email.
Orchid Cactus Growing Instructions
In strong light, cultivate orchid cacti. This tropical houseplant is ideal for window-side hanging baskets (or you can take it outdoors to a shaded place for a little summer vacation). The plant may produce stunning, creamy-white orchid-like blossoms if it receives adequate light (hence its common name).
When the potted soil dries out, water the orchid cactus. This indoor plant, which is native to tropical rainforests and grows on trees, doesn’t like its soil to stay wet all the time and will rot if it is overwatered. Typically, depending on factors like plant size, temperature, and how much light your orchid cactus receives, that means watering it once every 10 days or less.
The orchid cactus demands high humidity, just like orchids and other tropical plants do, yet it typically thrives in typical home environments.
Add these varieties to your orchid cactus to complete the look:
Canine Cactus Another low-maintenance cactus that trails from hanging baskets is the dog tail cactus. With the orchid cactus, it looks gorgeous.
How simple are orchid cacti to grow?
Benefits: The orchid cactus is a low-maintenance houseplant that blooms spectacularly for several weeks in the spring. It accepts dry air and watering delays.
Blooms: Showy, huge flowers appear from notches in the leaves in spring and into summer. There are numerous varieties with names that provide the whole spectrum of hues.
Its leaves are long, flattened, narrow, and have scalloped edges. The spines of orchid cactus are not particularly visible.
Habit: Orchid cactus develops as a clump of 20-inch-long, flattened leaves that droop and dangle. A hanging basket is the perfect vessel for their behavior. They can also be potted in a common container and set on a shelf that is high.
Origins: They reside in the treetops of tropical rain forests in Central and South America. They merely physically cling to their host tree.
How to cultivate an orchid cactus: These tree-dwelling epiphytic cacti appear best grown in a hanging basket, from which their prodigious flowers can hang at or just above eye level and their long, flattened branches can hang down. Given that these plants naturally grow on tree branches rather than in soil, choose a light, porous potting mixture with great drainage. Between waterings, let the soil totally dry out; when you do water, give it a good soak.
Provide 8 to 12 weeks of cool winter weather (40 F to 60 F at night, just slightly warmer during the day) to promote flowering, and don’t water during this time. Once the flower buds form, start watering again and move the plant to a warmer area.
How big do Orchid Cactus grow?
What can you anticipate when cultivating an epiphyllum at home? The growth of the orchid cactus is moderate.
The cactus’ stems can grow up to 30 inches long when planted indoors. However, in the wild, these plants can reach lengths of up to 10 feet and widths of three feet.
An orchid cactus can take up to five years to bloom. They often have a higher chance of blooming if their roots completely round the pot or if they are root-bound. Typically, a plant growing in a container of four inches will bloom before one of eight inches.
What to do Before Planting
Select a pot or planter that is on the smaller side when planting an orchid cactus. Drainage is required for containers.
The plant’s lengthy stems require a hanging basket, which is a nice option. Place the container of your Epiphyllum on a tray packed with gravel if you aren’t hanging it. To increase humidity, keep the tray almost completely filled with water.
What’s the Best Orchid Cactus Soil Mix?
Orchid cacti typically grow on trees in the wild. Choose a soil mixture that retains moisture yet drains swiftly to mimic these circumstances. Think about mixing three parts potting soil to one part pumice or perlite, or using potting soil based on peat moss and perlite in equal amounts.
How to Plant an Orchid Cactus
When planting an orchid cactus, fill the selected container about halfway with damp, permeable soil. Put the plant in the pot gently.
To the original soil level, lightly fill the sidewalls. Gently tamp the ground. Retain moisture in the newly planted Epiphyllum.
Before planting a cutting, allow it to harden for a week. Put the cutting in the ground with the growing end facing up. No more than two leaf serrations should be buried beneath the soil.
Place the container in an area with good, but not direct, lighting. Mist the soil frequently to keep it moist. In three to six weeks, the cutting ought to take root.
Orchid Cactus Light Preferences
Filtered light, such as that found in their native rain forest habitat, is ideal for orchid cacti, which flourish in it. The best location is one that gets morning light but is shaded in the afternoon.
Never let the afternoon sun completely rays your epiphyllum. A south or west exposure is typically preferred.
You can observe lanky or sluggish growth if your plant isn’t receiving enough light. Growth that is yellow or wilted is a sign of excessive exposure. Your plant should have light- to dark-green stems with a faint red tint at the edges under the proper amount of light.
Put your plant in a room that won’t have the lights on after daylight hours throughout the winter. Future blossoming may be impacted by wintertime exposure to artificial lighting.
Temperature & Humidity Preferences
Orchid cacti prefer temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for the majority of the year. However, they require eight to ten weeks of milder temperatures in the winter in order to flower.
Temperatures should range from 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit throughout this chilly period. Temperatures at night should range from 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
A moderate humidity level is ideal for the orchid cactus. This translates to roughly 40 to 50 percent while indoors. In order to increase humidity, set the pot on a tray of moist rocks.
Can cuttings of an orchid cactus be grown?
Whether you’re a novice hobbyist or a seasoned expert, caring for the orchid cactus can be challenging. It’s crucial to keep in mind when planting and nurturing an orchid cactus that this plant enjoys settings that resemble its native tropical environment.
- Orchid cacti naturally dangle from tree trunks and rocks. As a result of their natural ability to grow in the shade given by a dense forest canopy, you should strive to place your cactus in indirect or filtered light rather than direct sunlight. Insufficient sunlight is indicated by limp or small leaves, whereas excessive sunlight results in yellowed, withering leaves.
- For the orchid cactus to thrive, it needs moisture. While it’s important to avoid overwatering and promoting root rot, you also can’t let the roots of your plant become too dry. You should make sure that the soil in the pot of your plant is kept moist, even during the dry winter months.
- Because they are frequently too gritty, pre-made cactus potting combinations don’t usually work well for orchid cactus kinds. Making your own combination with potting soil, pumice, and/or perlite is recommended.
- As the plant gets bigger, repot it every two years. Wait at least a month after your plant’s flowering has ended if it is in bloom before moving it to a new pot.
After pruning, you can propagate your plant and expand the number of orchid cacti in your home. Simply cut at the junction with a cutting that is ideally at least two segments long. Until the severed end of the cutting has healed over, keep the portion in a cold, dark, and dry location for about a week. Place the cutting’s tip in the proper soil combination, and until the plant’s roots have taken hold, water it sparingly for a few weeks.
Propagating a plant from a cutting often takes just one year, in contrast to developing an orchid cactus to maturity from seed, which can take up to fifteen years. The pros at Gumbii Grows can teach you more about how to properly reproduce your orchid cactus.
What is killing my orchid cactus?
A. The orchid cactus is a lovely floral plant that deviates from the stereotype of cacti. The Epiphyllum orchid cactus inhabits rain forests rather than deserts. This cactus is indigenous to Brazil, where it can be found growing in the sides and forks of trees above rain forest habitats. It produces lovely flowers that usually bloom for a few days and open in the evening. It is pretty easy to grow an Epiphyllum cactus outside of its natural habitat, but you must pay close care to the temperature, lighting, and humidity.
Epiphyllum prefer bright, filtered sun exposure. Full exposure to the sun is great in the morning, but it becomes too powerful by noon. They will get sunburned if exposed to the sun in full for an extended period of time. Plants with sunburn show withered or yellow new growth. If you move your plant inside over the winter, make sure it is in a window that is covered or gets enough light to avoid a decline in health. If your plant spends the summer outdoors and you bring it within to overwinter, make sure you put it in a room with natural light that is chilly (40 degrees F or more). It can postpone blossoming the following summer if lights are turned on after sunset. These plants require this period of rest throughout the colder months. Keep an eye out for excess or underexposure to light in your cactus. It usually indicates too much light when your plant’s growth becomes yellowish and withered. Lack of light causes weak, lanky plants. Light to dark green with slightly reddened borders should characterize new growth. This demonstrates that the plant is receiving sufficient light.
For the Epiphyllum orchid cactus to successfully flower, it needs enough water. Unfortunately, according to the Oregon State University Extension, overwatering your cactus is the worst thing you can do. Root rot may result from waterlogged soil, which also attracts water-loving fungus that require standing water to germinate. Water once a week, but wait until the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil are totally dry before re-watering. If the soil takes longer to dry, adjust your watering plan. Roots should be wet but not saturated.
Despite being able to withstand high temperatures in wet, shaded environments, epiphyllum plants thrive in temperatures between 45 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Clemson University Extension. For orchid cacti that have already started to bloom, overnight winter culture must maintain a temperature range of 40 to 50 degrees F. Due to our climate’s favorable outdoor conditions in the summer and early fall, this plant thrives.
Humid circumstances are crucial to both human civilization and rain forest culture. This flowering cactus grows best in environments with at least 50% humidity. In the winter, our dwellings are frequently rather dry. If the humidity falls too low, think about misting your plants with water. Extremely dry circumstances can cause root issues, especially if the soil is poorly drained. Furthermore, bud drop frequently happens when humidity levels are insufficient.
For Ephiphyllum plants, an optimum soil environment is one that drains well and is high in organic matter. The winning soil recipe, according to the Clemson University Extension, includes one part sand, one part garden soil, and two parts peat moss. According to the Oregon State University Extension, fertilize the soil using a 10-10-10 balanced fertilizer and stay away from those that have a nitrogen level greater than 10%.
Plant pests barely affect these plants at all. If the soil is kept excessively wet, fungus gnats could become an issue. Slugs and snails can cause significant harm to these plants if they are able to get to them when you are growing them outdoors in the summer.
Epiphyllum typically need to be root bound before they bloom. This implies that before they will start to bloom, their roots must completely fill the container. Plants cultivated in 4-inch pots will flower more quickly than those grown in 8-inch pots. While hybrid epiphillums bloom during the day, true epiphillums bloom at night. White and yellow flowers begin to bloom in late April. Pink and red flowers begin to bloom in May. (deep reds and purples). Repotting should be done on average every seven years. Wait about a month after blooming before repotting. Keep some of the dirt around the root ball in place. Simply brush off any extra soil with care before repotting in new soil. Re-potted plants shouldn’t be watered for a week. After that, water sparingly for a month before going back to your regular schedule.
Plant cuttings are available for purchase or for taking. If you decide to start with cuttings, give them about a week to harden off before planting. Plant cuttings in a potting soil combination that is clean and dry. Three parts commercial potting soil and one part small to medium pumice provide the ideal potting mixture for cuttings. Use bark chips or perlite in the absence of pumice. The soil needs to retain moisture while draining swiftly. For optimal results, plant cutting upside down. Place the little growing end in the ground 1 to 2 inches deep. There should be two leaf serrations that are below the soil line. Put the pot in a well-lit, shaded area. Cuttings that have been rooted shouldn’t be left to dry out. At first, water sparingly; after that, water once per week.
Sullivan County’s Cornell Cooperative Extension employs Susan M. Dollard as a horticulture community educator, Master Gardener, and Tree Steward Coordinator.