Epiphyllum belong to the leaf cacti that convince with a large abundance of flowers. The easy-care plants have a shrub-like growth habit, which is rather unusual for typical cacti. Due to the often hanging shoots, they are often cultivated as traffic light plants, but have different requirements in terms of location, substrate and care than other cactus plants. How to properly care for the interesting epiphyllum, you will learn from this article.

Leaf cacti come in many different colors

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. use
  3. appearance and growth
  4. flowers and flowering time
  5. fruit
  6. Which location is suitable?
  7. substrate
  8. plants and repotting
  9. Pour epiphyllum
  10. Properly fertilize epiphyllum
  11. Properly cut epiphyllum
  12. multiply epiphyllum
  13. hibernate
  14. diseases and pests
  15. species and varieties

    16. origin and distribution

    Most species of the genus Epiphyllum are native to Central and South America as well as the Caribbean, where they grow as epiphytes on the tall trees of the tropical humid rain forests. Hybrids of wild species that look very similar to one another can be found on the market. These are considered less demanding than their parent species and are therefore easier to care for as houseplants.

    use

    Due to their tropical origin, Epiphyllum leaf cacti are not hardy here and are therefore primarily cultivated as houseplants. The plants, which are very sensitive to the cold, are only allowed on the terrace or balcony during the warm summer months, but should not be exposed to the blazing sun. Since most species and varieties have a hanging habit, you can keep them as traffic light plants. If this is not desired, the long shoots should either be supported or tied upwards.

    appearance and growth

    All Epiphyllum leaf cacti grow either epiphytic or lithophytic, i. H. as epiphytes on trees or rocks. The various species grow like shrubs, forming either hanging or climbing and rarely upright shoots. The long shoots are often heavily branched and become lignified with age. In contrast to the round older ones, young shoots are rather flat and not dissimilar to leaves - however, despite all the external similarities, they are not true leaves. Thorns are usually absent. Some species form some, but these remain very small.

    flowers and flowering time

    The solitary, mostly funnel-shaped flowers can be very long: Some Epiphyllum species impress with up to 30 centimeters large flowers, which can also be colored in almost any color except blue. The wild species usually have white, yellow or pink flowers on the outside, which are pale yellow or whitish on the inside. The flowering times differ greatly depending on the species and variety. Incidentally, many species only flower from the age of about five years, which is why a lack of flowering does not necessarily have to be attributed to poor care.

    fruit

    In this country, due to a lack of pollinators, fruits are rarely formed. However, you can buy the black, kidney-shaped seeds in specialist shops and use them to grow your own plants.

    Which location is suitable?

    Epiphyllum leaf cacti prefer a bright and warm location that does not have strong sunlight. A semi-shady place that offers protection from the burning sun, especially at midday, is best. If the location is too sunny for the plant, this is quickly reflected in leaf burns. In summer you can put the leaf cacti outside, but you should also protect them from the midday sun and rain. A high level of humidity between 60 and 80 percent is also important when keeping the apartment.

    substrate

    Even if Epiphylen are cacti, the commercially available cactus soil is unsuitable as a substrate. Leaf cacti have a high nutrient requirement that cannot be covered by cactus soil. Instead, use special soil for leaf cacti (available in specialist shops) or mix it yourself from normal potting soil and a third of bark mulch, pumice gravel or quartz sand (€15.85) - it is important that the substrate is well drained and not waterlogged at all can only arise.

    plants and repotting

    Most Epiphyllum leaf cacti grow hanging, which makes them good for hanging baskets. Alternatively, you can plant them in a tall planter so that the long shoots can hang down. Species that are higher than 20 centimeters should either be cultivated as traffic light plants or supported in any case. Important when planting is not only the right substrate, but also good pot drainage. Leaf cacti need quite a lot of water, but must not stand wet. The plants therefore thrive best in planters with an automatic watering system.(32.95€)

    Since young plants often grow strongly, you should move them to a larger pot every year. In addition, the substrate is used up after three years at the latest and should then be replaced. Spring is the best time to repot.

    Pour epiphyllum

    Even if the classic cacti like it rather dry: As a typical rainforest dweller, the Epiphyllus leaf cactus needs moisture and does not cope well with drought. The plant does not like dried out substrate, nor does it like waterlogging. Therefore, keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet, during the growing season. Remove excess irrigation water promptly and use rainwater or decalcified tap water if possible - leaf cacti do not tolerate calcareous water. It is also important to observe these special instructions when watering:

    • Water very sparingly for four to six weeks after flowering
    • slowly increase watering quantities from April
    • Water abundantly between May and September
    • The substrate should then be well moistened
    • Mist the plant daily during the growing season
    • Do not spray flowers, they will stain

    Properly fertilize epiphyllum

    With regard to fertilization, some special features must also be observed. Leaf cacti have a fairly high nutrient requirement, which is why you should never supply them with cactus fertilizer - this is not adapted to the needs of the Epiphyllum species. Instead, take a normal houseplant fertilizer, which you administer in half the dosage every 14 days between April and September. But be careful: High-nitrogen fertilizers quickly lead to over-fertilization, which is why whole and blue grain products are not suitable. It is better to use a low-nitrogen fertilizer, as this promotes lush flowering better. There is no fertilization during the winter months.

    Properly cut epiphyllum

    Although Epiphyllum leaf cacti tolerate pruning very well, they should only be pruned if there is a real need - for example because they have become too large for their location. The plants develop a more or less symmetrical growth all by themselves, which can become uneven if you use scissors incorrectly. Only diseased, dead or broken shoots and faded flowers should be removed. Cut these off just below the flower head.

    multiply epiphyllum

    Epiphyllum leaf cacti are easy to propagate by cuttings or by sowing, although you have to be patient when propagating seeds: Depending on the species and variety, the germination time is several weeks to even months.

    Propagation via cuttings

    For the propagation of cuttings, cut off approx. 15 centimeters long, healthy shoots in early summer, the cutting points of which must dry for one to three days before planting. Then place them about three centimeters deep in a planter filled with growing substrate or unfertilized coconut soil and keep it slightly moist for the coming weeks. As a rule, most leaf cacti can be rooted quite easily and show initial growth after just a few weeks.

    sowing

    You can obtain the seeds for sowing either from specialist retailers or by collecting the ripe fruits from your leaf cacti. Spring is the ideal time for sowing. Sow the black seeds on unfertilized coconut soil, coconut hum or special coconut swelling tablets and never cover them with substrate - all species germinate in the light. It is best to place the planter in a greenhouse or cover it with translucent film or glass. Keep the substrate moist by spraying it with lime-free water.

    hibernate

    Important for lush flowering of the Epiphyllum leaf cacti is a winter rest phase, during which the plants are a little cooler at ten to a maximum of 15 degrees Celsius and are also only watered a little and are no longer fertilized. Nevertheless, a lot of light is required, which is why the leaf cacti should be as bright as possible even in winter. A permanently warm hibernation damages the plants, as it weakens them and makes them more susceptible to pathogens and pests.
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    diseases and pests

    With proper care, Epiphyllum leaf cacti are hardy, hardy houseplants that are rarely afflicted by disease. If the plants are ailing, the cause is usually to be found in incorrect care:

    • Rot on shoots and roots: too much moisture
    • wilted, thin shoots: dryness
    • light, whitish-green spots on leaf limbs: viral infection
    • cork-like spots: fungal infection

    If there are any signs, the only thing that helps is to generously cut back the diseased parts of the plant and transfer them to fresh substrate and a new pot. Spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects are the most common pests.

    tips

    In winter, leaf cacti should not be sprayed, otherwise they tend to rot.

    species and varieties

    Epiphyllum are an epiphytic growing genus of plants from the cactus family (bot. Cactaceae), which are counted among the leaf cacti together with species of various cacti genera due to their shrub-like growth. These include, for example, the Christmas cactus and the Easter cactus, which, however, belong to different genera and are only distantly related. There are around 17 different Epiphyllum species, with special hybrid forms being cultivated in particular. These are considered to be less complicated and often produce large, fragrant flowers several times a year.

    The following species and cultivars are particularly recommended:

    • Epiphyllum ackermannii: A particularly floriferous species with light red to red flowers up to 12 centimeters in size
    • Epiphyllum anguliger: flowers up to 18 centimeters in size, white on the inside and yellow on the outside
    • Epiphyllum hookeri: species native to South America with bicolored flowers that are white inside and yellowish-brown outside, flowers intensely scented with lilies and only open at night
    • Epiphyllum oxypetalum: pointed, small flowers with red outer leaves
    • 'Deutsche Kaiserin': profusely flowering hybrid variety with numerous bright pink flowers
    • 'Spring Splendor': pleasantly scented, narrow flowers with purple petals
    • 'Himmelauge': very large, bright crimson flowers up to 17 centimeters in size
    • 'Knebels Dickchen': bright crimson flowers with orange-red petals
    • 'Queen Ann': forms very large, pure white flowers with a diameter of up to 20 centimetres
    • 'Siegfried': many pleasantly scented, pale pink flowers with yellow petals

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Vegetable garden