Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus) Epiphyllum oxypetalum
Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus) (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Cactaceae family, native to Southern Mexico and Central America; now grown throughout the tropics. It grows 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) tall and 50 cm–1.5 m (20 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1.5 m (20 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–209 weeks after planting, for 1–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern Mexico and Central America; now grown throughout the tropics |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇮🇳 India, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇨🇳 China, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus)
- How far apart should I plant Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus)?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1.5 m (20 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus) flower?
- About 104–209 weeks after planting, for 1–6 weeks.
- Is Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Queen of the night (Dutchman’s pipe cactus). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
Notes and assumptions
- In frosty climates it is a classic pot plant for a bright windowsill, put outside in summer.
- Long, flat, wavy-edged stems like leaves, and huge, pure white, intensely fragrant flowers that open after dark and wilt by dawn, pollinated by moths. Families in Asia gather to watch them open; the Chinese saying “tán huā yí xiàn” (to bloom like the epiphyllum) means a beautiful moment that passes quickly.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Prickly pear (nopal) Opuntia ficus-indica
- Golden barrel cactus Echinocactus grusonii
- Saguaro Carnegiea gigantea
- Fishhook barrel cactus Ferocactus wislizeni
- Teddy-bear cholla Cylindropuntia bigelovii
- Engelmann's prickly pear Opuntia engelmannii
- Organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi
- Mexican giant cardón Pachycereus pringlei