How to Root Epiphyllums

Commonly called orchid cacti, plants of the genus Epiphyllum occur naturally in the tropical forests of Central America and are sometimes cultivated as potted plants or garden ornamentals in frost-free areas. Most species of Epiphyllum possess flat, segmented leaves that trail gracefully from hanging pots, but the leaves are very fragile and often break off. Luckily, all Epiphyllums root easily from leaf segments and will swiftly regenerate into a whole new plant with identical characteristics as the parent plant.

Floral snips
4-inch pot
Sharp river sand

Instructions

- 1
  Take a leaf segment cutting from a well-established Epiphyllum plant in late spring. Select a healthy leaf segment with no blemishes or signs of illness. Snip it where it attaches to the next leaf, using a pair of floral snips.
- 2
  Set the leaf segment somewhere away from direct sunlight to dry out. Let the leaf segment dry out for approximately one week or until the cut end callouses over.
- 3
  Plant the Epiphyllum leaf cutting to half its depth in a 4-inch pot filled with sharp river sand.
- 4
  Set the potted Epiphyllum cutting where it will receive a minimum of six hours of bright, indirect light per day and temperatures above 70 degrees F.
- 5
  Wait five days after potting the Epiphyllum cutting to water it. Water it with 1/8 cup of water whenever the soil dries out completely.
- 6
  Watch for growth in 25 to 30 days. Keep the Epiphyllum cutting in its rooting pot for one week after rooting, then transplant it into a larger pot filled with succulent formula potting soil.

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