Is the epiphyllum the same as the night-blooming cereus? Understanding its habit of blooming at night

I. Is it the same as the night-blooming cereus?

The epiphyllum is a plant of the genus Epiphyllum in the cactus family, while the night-blooming cereus belongs to the genus Hylocereus in the cactus family, so they are not the same plant, but they are plants of the same family. The epiphyllum and the night-blooming cereus look very similar. The epiphyllum has relatively flat, leaf-like stems and is a fleshy shrub, while the night-blooming cereus has three-angled stems and is a herbaceous climbing plant.

II. Does it bloom at night?

The epiphyllum blooms at night and does not bloom during the day. It blooms at night because its place of origin is the tropical desert, where the environment is relatively dry and hot. During the day the temperature is relatively high, and water evaporates quickly, so the plant needs to absorb enough water. At night, water evaporates more slowly, and only when the plant has absorbed sufficient water can it bloom, so it has developed the habit of blooming at night.

Its blooming time is at 8 or 9 at night, and the flowers stay open for a relatively short time, usually only a few hours. By around early morning, the flowers will wither and close.

III. How to grow it so that it blooms

When growing the epiphyllum, give it a warm, humid environment and try to keep the care temperature at around 15-25°C. Watering it promptly is also very necessary; the soil must not be too dry and should be kept in a moist state.