Cactaceae
Lady of the Night Cactus (Cereus hexagonus): Care Guide
Cereus hexagonus
Give it strong sun and water only when the soil is fully dry. Stop watering in winter. Avoid pots that stay damp, since the roots rot easily. Keep it above 5 °C, although it can take -5 °C for short periods if kept dry.
Every 14 days
Direct sun
5° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Lady of the Night Cactus?
Lady of the Night Cactus (Cereus hexagonus) is a easy-care plant from the Cactaceae family. Lady of the night cactus is a tree-like columnar cactus from northern South America, found in Venezuela, the Guianas and northern Brazil. Its blue-green stems have 4 to 7 thin ribs and can reach 15 metres in the wild. The white flowers are 20 to 25 cm long and open at night. The oval, pale red fruit...
Lady of the Night Cactus grows up to 15.0m, watering every 14 days. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Lady of the Night Cactus tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Lady of the Night Cactus is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 28 days.
How to Care for Lady of the Night Cactus?
TLDR: Lady of the Night Cactus needs Direct sun, watering every 14 days, and temperatures between 5-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Lady of the Night Cactus?
In summer, water and then let the soil dry completely before watering again. Do not water in winter. Too much water makes the stems swollen and misshapen.
How Much Light Does Lady of the Night Cactus Need?
Young plants like light shade. Mature plants want full sun. Indoors, keep it at your brightest window with some direct sun.
What Is the Best Soil for Lady of the Night Cactus?
In pots, use a ready-made cactus mix. In the ground, choose a deep, well-drained spot. It is sensitive to salt, so avoid salty soil.
What Pot Should You Use for Lady of the Night Cactus?
Use a pot with drainage holes, filled with cactus mix. Large plants do better in the ground because they grow fast.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
What Is Lady of the Night Cactus and Where Does It Come From?
Lady of the night cactus is a tree-like columnar cactus from northern South America, found in Venezuela, the Guianas and northern Brazil. Its blue-green stems have 4 to 7 thin ribs and can reach 15 metres in the wild. The white flowers are 20 to 25 cm long and open at night. The oval, pale red fruits have white or pink flesh. It is easy to grow and is often planted as a living hedge.
How to Propagate Lady of the Night Cactus?
Stem cutting
Wear gloves because of the spines. A cutting that has not dried first may rot.
- 1 Cut a section of stem in spring
- 2 Let the cut end dry until it calluses
- 3 Plant in barely moist cactus mix
- 4 Wait for roots before watering normally
Materials needed:
Seed
Seed is slower than cuttings.
- 1 Scatter seeds on well-drained mix
- 2 Keep at around 25 °C
- 3 Pot up seedlings only once they are well rooted
Materials needed:
How Big Does Lady of the Night Cactus Grow?
TLDR: Lady of the Night Cactus can reach up to 15.0m tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
15.0m
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Edible
Can be consumed
Culinary Uses
- The fruits are reported to be eaten fresh, dried or as juice where the cactus is grown
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Lady of the Night Cactus?
TLDR: Lady of the Night Cactus is susceptible to 4 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Fun Facts
Stems standing side by side look like organ pipes
In the wild it can reach 15 metres
Linnaeus described it in 1753 as Cactus hexagonus
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water a lady of the night cactus?
Can it grow indoors?
How much cold can it take?
Is the fruit edible?
Is it toxic to pets?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
