Night Blooming Cereus Perfect Low Humidity Little Space Houseplant

Finding the right houseplant and giving them the humidity they would really like is another. The Cereus peruvianus is a houseplant you may want to consider… the night blooming cereus doesn’t mind the low humidity, likes it on the dry side and takes up little space.

Plus this hardy cactus can handle full sun out on a patio or deck and find complete plant bliss in a sunny high light interior. It also doesn’t hurt to see a nice big fragrant flower either. Following up the flower the ‘night blooming cereus’ produces red edible looking fruit.

Culture Questions On Night Blooming Cereus

Question: What care does a Night-Blooming Cercus need? EP, Mesquite, TX

Answer: Keep it on the dry side during winter but give it plenty of humidity and root moisture when growth is visible. It likes a sunny place in winter, shade from bright sun in summer. When repotting use a soil mixture of three parts loam, one part each leafmold, peat-moss, and sand, one-half part each crumbly old manure and charcoal, cracked fine. In summer apply dilute fertilizer about every ten days.

Question: How can I make my night-blooming cereus flower? JW, NY

Answer: Cereus is the member of the cactus family that is commonly called night blooming cereus. However, many others belong to this genus that are not night blooming. If this plant is potted in good soil and watered moderately, it should bloom each year between June and August. After the blooming season water should be given the plant very sparingly for a period of three months. Then as new growths appear, watering should be increased. The plant grows and blooms in partial shade almost without care. It needs no pruning and requires repotting only after it has obviously outgrown its pot.

Question: I have a huge night-hlooming cereus. Can it be cut back? Also, would it bloom if it was kept in the basement all year? Our basement has air, light and sunshine. 0W, Indiana.

Answer: The night blooming cercus may be cut back. Pruning is best done when the plant is in its resting cycle. That is, after it has quit blooming and when it is receiving – try little water. It should grow and bloom in the basement you describe provided the humidity is not too high.

Question: My night-blooming cereus turns brown at the edges, even on the new shoots. Can you tell me what causes this? VA

Answer: A likely cause is too much water during winter. Water can be given freely throughout the growing season. The soil should be porous and well-drained. Cut out the affected parts and dust the wounds with sulfur.

Related Articles Of Interest:

• Cereus Peruvianus – Night Blooming Cereus – Peruvian Apple
• What Temperatures Are Best Under Grow Lights?
• Unique Indoor House Plants – Aralias to ZZ
• Fluorescent Grow Lights and the Basement Garden