Epiphyllum oxypetalum

Queen of the Night, Night-blooming Cereus, Dutchman's Pipe Cactus, Jungle Cactus, Lady of the Night, Night-blooming Cactus, Orchid Cactus

Epiphyllum oxypetalum is an epiphytic cactus native to the forests of Mexico and Central America, where it grows anchored to tree branches high in the canopy rather than in soil. Its flat, strap-like stem segments — each up to 40 cm long — trail and cascade dramatically once the plant matures, reaching 1–3 metres in height and making it too large for all but the most expansive open containers. It is grown primarily for its flowers: enormous, intensely fragrant, pure white blooms up to 25–30 cm across that open after sunset and wilt by dawn. Inducing blooms requires a specific cool, dry rest period in winter — it rewards patience, not convenience.