Taking Care of your epiphyllum hybrids and Species

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PDFs on Maintaining Your Healthy Garden

Light

Epiphyllums prefer partial sun, never direct noon-time sun. They can be grown under a lathe, shade cloth, trees, patios or balconies. In most locations 50% to 60% shade is a good place to start and normally provides the correct amount of shade.

If you are growing them in hotter climates they will require more shade protection.

Keep in mind too much shade will allow your plants to grow but they will have fewer blooms or none at all.

If you have mature plants that have few or no blooms move them to a location with a little more sunlight. It is better to error on the side of too much light than too little as light encourages blooms.

Your plants will tell you when you have it correct. Over exposure will cause yellow or sunburned growth. Not enough will result in weak, spindly growth with no sign of a strong mid-rip or they will not flower as they should.

Temperature

Epiphyllums are like people they prefer temperatures between 45 and 85 degrees. They will tolerate extreme heat if well-shaded. Special care is required in hot dry dry climates. They may require some misting late in the day.

If the temperature drops below freezing for more than a couple of hours, you may lose part of your plant or even the complete plant. We have found that they will even survive soft freezing (28 to 32 degrees) without damage for a short while.

Air Circulation

Epiphyllums have a preference for free air movement but do not tolerate hot or cold winds well.

Keep in mind closer your plants are together the more free air movement is necessary.

Air movement is normally not an issue with epiphyllums are grown under trees or under lath or shade cloth coverings.

Air movement may become a problem when epiphyllums are grown close together, in patios or other partially enclosed areas.

Blooming Requirements

Provide your epi hybrid with filtered light, good drainage, and balanced watering so that it is not wet but does not dry out, and your plant will bloom. They do like to be a little root-bound, and it may take some time for that to happen.

Caring for your epi hybrid is relatively easy. Keep in mind that epi hybrids grow in trees in their native habitat. Their roots are moist but never soaked for long. Placing them in the ground runs a high risk of killing them unless there is exceptional soil drainage.

Plastic pots and well-draining soil are recommended for growing epi hybrids. Clay pots, in most climates, allow the plant to dry quickly and, therefore, require more frequent watering. You can hang them, place them on a table/bench, or even on the ground as long as you do not block the pots' drain holes.

Adding some blooming fertilizer early in the year will help promote blooming. It is as simple as that.