The Queen of the Night probably has the largest flowers of all leaf cacti, over 30 cm!

Selenicereus grandiflorus is called the Queen of the Night due to the beautiful and fragrant flowers it produces at night. The cactus's flowers grow epiphytically in nature, meaning on trees in dry areas with distinct dry seasons, which it handles admirably. The outer petals are yellowish to orange, while the inner petals are completely white.

Botanical description.

This species has its natural range from Mexico (Tamaulipas to Tabasco) to Guatemala and the northern Caribbean. It is an epiphyte and primarily grows in the seasonally dry tropical biome.

The stems of the Queen of the Night are round, have short spines, and can grow up to 5 meters long! The gigantic flowers open only for a short time, often just one day or night, and are said to have a pleasant vanilla scent. Therefore, it is sometimes called "vanilla cactus." The flowers particularly attract bats.

Care

Although Selenicereus grandiflorus is a cactus, it should be cared for more like a common houseplant or an orchid. The Queen of the Night should be watered regularly but allowed to dry out between waterings. Plant the cactus in very airy soil or orchid bark, as it grows epiphytically in nature. It can be fertilized once a month with orchid or cactus fertilizer. Water less during winter and protect from dry air above heaters.

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