Can Frost Kill Epiphyllum Oxypetalum?

Description and Culture

• Night-blooming cereus is an epiphyte, which means it can grow on other plants. In warm weather, it produces large, fragrant blooms that open only at night; it relies on moths for pollination. A night-blooming cereus needs the same environment as many cacti, including sandy soil, just a bit of water and partial shade.

Low Temperatures

• The outdoor temperature doesn't have to be 32 degrees Fahrenheit for frost to develop. So it's best to protect your outdoor night-blooming cereus whenever the nighttime temperature will dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant can suffer frost damage, especially on its tips. The frost damage can appear as brown, wilting areas and/or soft tissue. Because the damage can lead to bacterial rot, remove affected areas if you notice they spread. If the affected areas don't spread, then remove them in spring, when the plant grows actively and can replace them.

Frost Protection

• The easiest way to protect an outdoor night-blooming cereus plant that is in a pot is to take it indoors when frost is expected. In a cool climate, it should stay inside all winter. In a warmer area, an option is to put the plant back outdoors when the threat of frost passes. When a night-blooming cereus is planted in the ground, then frost cloth, plastic sheeting or a bed sheet placed over the plant can keep frost from touching the plant, but don't let a plastic covering touch the plant. Remove the covering during the day so the plant can benefit from sunlight.

Winter Care and Fertilizer

• Encouraging your night-blooming cereus to take a break from blooming in winter helps ensure the plant has enough strength to create large blooms in summer. Decrease how much water you give the plant during cool months, and don't provide it with fertilizer. It needs fertilizer only twice each year, in late February and early November. When it's time to fertilize, use a low-nitrogen fertilizer, such as a 2-10-10 fertilizer, and dilute it with water to one-quarter strength before pouring it over the plant's roots. Dilute fertilizer to one-quarter strength by thoroughly mixing one portion of the fertilizer with three portions of water.