How to Pot an Epiphyllum

Epiphyllum, or orchid cactus, are orchid lookalike plants, but they are not relatives of orchids. They are native to the rain forests of Central America and Mexico and are a hybrids of epiphytic cacti. Epiphytes are plants that often grow on other plants or trees in the wild and get their nutrients from air and rain. Epiphyllum are easy to grow indoors and need little maintenance when properly planted. They prefer being root-bound before blooming and enjoy cool, moist roots. Epiphyllum plants need indoor temperatures between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They produce showy 12-inch blossoms in a wide range of colors. Healthy epiphyllum grown indoors should be repotted every seven years.

Things You'll Need

• Container
• Potting soil
• Peat moss
• Coarse sand
• Fertilizer

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Select a pot one size larger than the previous pot. Clay pots with a drainage hole and saucer are best for indoors.

   • 2

     Fill the new pot half full with a mixture of 50 percent potting soil, 30 percent peat moss and 20 percent coarse sand.

   • 3

     Tip the old pot on its side to remove the epiphyllum without disturbing its roots. Leave as much soil as possible on the root ball.

   • 4

     Set the epiphyllum plant to the same depth it was in its old pot. Fill the pot with additional soil to the top, tamping it lightly at the base of the plant.

   • 5

     Place the epiphyllum in a location with filtered sunlight daily or a few hours of morning sunlight.