Behold The Rare Cactus With Stunning White Flowers That Only Bloom At Night

When you're looking to build a cactus garden in no time, whether indoors or out, keep the dramatic Dutchman's pipe cactus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) in mind. A native to Central America, Dutchman's pipe is also known as Queen of the night. That's because this diva only reveals her showy, fragrant flowers at night, and for quite limited "engagements." But for many lovers of both exotic plants and moon gardens, the breathtaking reveal of this stunning plant that blooms at night more than makes up for that rarity.

While it is often described as blooming only one night a year, anecdotal evidence suggests that home growers can look forward to several nights or even weeks of nightly blooms. Either way, there's no denying that these flowers are show-stoppers. Each one reaches about 1 foot long, with about two dozen petals. They often have tinges of pink or yellow from the flower's sepals and the blooms are intensely fragrant.

As an outdoor plant, Dutchman's pipe needs to be protected from any danger of frost, and is only suitable for the subtropical regions of the United States. Fortunately, this unique cactus is also perfect for your indoor space. The plant's stems are just as intriguing as its show-stopping flowers. These draping cactuses are not prickly, but instead long, spineless succulents that can reach 10 feet in length and 3 feet in bushy width. Many people mistake their stems for leaves, but the edges of these 16-inch foliage-like branches are where the flowers eventually emerge.

Even when grown as a houseplant, this "queen" relies on pampering in order to survive. Keep Dutchman's pipe away from drafty windows, and set it in a room which stays between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Set it where it receives bright but indirect light. Of course, you can also set Dutchman's pipe outdoors in a protected area during the summer, before bringing it back in when the temperatures plunge in the fall.

Choose a pot that's at least 10 inches in diameter to grow Dutchman's pipe. Before setting in your seedling or cutting, partially fill the container with cactus potting mix that either is already high in sand or perlite, or to which you've added extra gritty material for drainage. Dutchmen's pipe dislikes boggy conditions, so let its surface dry out between waterings. However, it does need more water in the spring and summer than the cooler months. The succulent also prefers high humidity. Placing a bowl of water near your heat source can help, as can setting the plant's pot on a tray of pebbles.

For the best blooming results, don't be in a hurry to repot Dutchmen's pipe as it grows. This cactus performs best when it is slightly root-bound. Not over-watering, as well as not keeping it near windows (nor afternoon sun, for outdoor plants) can help with common problems like fungal disease and sunburn. If pest issues occur, turn to insecticidal soap to get rid of mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids.