Epiphyllum is the botanical name for the leaf cactus, which comes in many species. Most varieties are extremely easy to care for and therefore ideal plants for beginners. Due to their wide variety of flower colors and growth habit, they are very popular as houseplants.

The Epiphyllum oxypetalum is just one of many Epiphyllum species

Worth knowing about Epiphyllum species

  • Native to the rainforests of South and Central America
  • not hardy
  • very easy to care for
  • blooms after five years
  • needs rest in winter

The most well-known types of leaf cactus are the Christmas cactus and the Easter cactus.

Various flower colors of the different Epiphyllum species

The leaf cactus is characterized by the fact that it produces very different flower colors depending on the variety. Epiphyllum anguliger, for example, has flowers that are 15 to 18 cm long, the outer bracts of which are lemon yellow and the inner leaves are pure white. Epiphyllum oxypetalum, on the other hand, develops smaller, pointed flowers with reddish outer leaves.

Most species have a hanging growth habit and are therefore often grown as traffic light plants. In addition to the articulated leaves, they carry strongly flattened shoots.

In contrast to other cactus species, the Epiphyllum has no or only very weak spines.

Epiphyllum mostly sold as a hybrid

Epiphyllum grows in nature as an epiphyte, i.e. on another plant species. The types that are offered in the trade are mostly hybrids, which are much more robust and also cope better with the conditions in the house.

All types of Epiphyllum are easy to care for

Leaf cactus care differs from other species in the large cactus family. In contrast to these, it needs more moisture and also likes small doses of fertilizer from time to time.

In winter, the Epiphyllum has to be kept a little cooler, as it produces few or no flowers without a rest period.

It is important that you never use cactus soil as a substrate and that you do not supply the epiphyllum with special cactus fertilizer. Potting soil mixed with sand or gravel is suitable as soil. For fertilizing, there are leaf cactus fertilizers or fertilizers for green plants that contain little nitrogen.

tips

Epiphyllum bears not only very decorative, but usually also fragrant flowers. The white-flowered types of Epiphyllum have the strongest scent. The flowering period of most varieties lasts from spring to summer.

Category:

Vegetable garden