Epiphyllum is a genus of tropical succulents often called orchid cacti or climbing cacti. There are more than a dozen species and many associated hybrids of different shapes and sizes. They usually have long, flat, non-thorny and creeping stems.

Orchid Cactus Care Unless you can provide your epiphiles with mild temperatures, dappled sunlight, humidity, and a porous potting mix, it is best to grow them indoors. They like conditions similar to those of orchids and bromeliads. If grown outdoors, they should be protected from strong winds and provided with adequate air circulation.

LightOrchid cacti thrive in filtered sunlight that mimics the lighting conditions they receive in their natural rainforest habitat. A few hours of full morning sun should be fine, but keep them out of full midday sun to avoid burns or white scabs. Outdoors, it works well when grown in a hanging basket under the shade of a tree.

Do not place your Epiphyllum in a room where the lights remain on long after sunset, as this may affect the following year’s flowering.

If your plant receives too much light, it can cause it to wilt and turn yellow. Delicate, leggy growth can be a result of too little light.

SoilYour epiphyllum should not grow directly in the ground. Normal soil is too compact and the roots cannot support it, resulting in plant death. Use a loose, fast-draining potting mix with additional light, porous materials to promote drainage. A mix of azalea with perlite, bark, cocoa chips or pumice can work well.

WaterProper water balance is the key to successful growth. Unlike their traditional cactus relatives, orchid cacti require regular watering throughout the growing season. The potting soil should be moist but not soggy. Ideally, the top third of the potting soil should dry out before watering again. In winter, reduce watering and move the plant to a cooler location. This will help produce large, healthy flowers next season. Using distilled or filtered water instead of tap water is beneficial for these delicate plants.

Branch dieback or rust spots can be a problem if the soil is too wet, especially when temperatures are low. If this becomes a problem, remove diseased branches, transplant the plant into a dry, fast-draining mix, and be more conservative with watering.

Temperature and Humidity When grown outdoors, it is best to grow Epiphyllum in pots or hanging baskets so you can bring these tender plants indoors when temperatures drop. They will not survive in frost or when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.1

If you keep your orchid cactus indoors, it may need a different location in the winter than during the growing season. From spring to fall, temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit are best, and in winter, a cooler location that still provides filtered light is ideal. Optimal temperatures are between 50 and 58 degrees Fahrenheit and away from radiators and cold drafts. When flower buds appear, move them back to a warmer location.

Epiphyllum requires higher humidity to thrive. It may be helpful to stand on a tray of moist gravel (being careful not to let the plant’s roots absorb water), mist the stems, or use a humidifier.

fertilizer Conservatively fertilizing your epiphyllum several times a year is beneficial in encouraging strong growth and bud stimulation. However, since they occur naturally in a