Epiphyllum chrysocardium
fern leaf cactus
Lowland rainforests of southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize
Overview
Fern leaf cactus is an evergreen epiphytic cactus producing flat strap-like stems deeply divided into fern-like lobes. Stems are 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) long, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) wide, with deep lobes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) deep and 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) wide on either side of the central midrib. Stem segments are bright green to pale green, fleshy and succulent, with no spines. Plants grow as trailing or arching specimens reaching 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) in cultivation and up to 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) in native habitat where they cascade from tree branches. Flowers are large, 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long and 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) across, with white outer petals, golden-yellow inner stamens, and pale yellow throat. Flowers open at night and last 8-12 hours, releasing a sweet fragrance to attract bat pollinators. Fruits develop as red or pink berry-like structures 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across containing many small black seeds. Mature plants 4-6 years old flower 1-3 times per year under stable conditions; younger plants rarely flower indoors.
Native Range
Native to lowland rainforests of southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize at elevations from sea level to 3,000 feet (900 m), where E. chrysocardium grows as an epiphyte on rainforest tree trunks and branches under filtered light and high humidity.Suggested Uses
Grown indoors in 8-12 inch (20-30 cm) hanging baskets where stems can cascade 3-5 feet (90-150 cm), or trained on bark slabs and cork mounts. Used in conservatories, heated greenhouses, and as a patio specimen during frost-free months. Cultivated by cactus collectors and night-flower growers for the large fragrant night-blooming flowers; flowering requires the winter cool rest and may be inconsistent in heated interiors.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years
Bloom Information
Flowers from late spring through early summer when night temperatures consistently exceed 60°F (15°C), typically May through July in temperate latitudes. Individual blooms open at night and last 8-12 hours. Mature plants 4-6 years old produce 1-5 blooms per year; plants younger than 4 years rarely flower.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White with golden-yellow stamensFoliage Description
Bright to pale green stems (no leaves)Growing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Water when the top 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of soil dries during the growing season; reduce watering by 50 percent from late fall through winter to encourage bud formation. Maintain bright indirect light at 1,500-3,000 foot-candles year-round; direct morning sun is tolerated but afternoon sun burns stems. Hold temperatures of 65-85°F (18-29°C) during growth and a winter rest period of 50-60°F (10-16°C) for 6-8 weeks to trigger flowering. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with low-nitrogen 5-10-10 cactus fertilizer at half strength from spring through fall. Repot every 3-5 years into chunky orchid bark and perlite mix; epiphytic root systems suit shallow wide pots. Mealybugs and scale colonize stem joints in dry conditions.Pruning
Cut overlong stems at a joint with sharp pruners during spring to control size and encourage branching. Remove damaged or scarred stem sections at the nearest joint year-round. Stem cuttings 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long callus for 1-2 weeks before rooting in dry succulent mix; rooting takes 4-8 weeks under bottom heat of 70-80°F (21-27°C).Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons