Get ready for a sensational desert experience with the night-blooming cereus, also known as Peniocereus greggii, a stunning species of the Peniocereus genus. This member of the Cacti family boasts some seriously unique blossoms that will blow your mind! With its thin stems and cylindrical upper sprouts, this night blooming cereus is one-of-a-kind. 

The Peniocereus greggii flowers only bloom once a year in late June or early July, so you better mark your calendars! These fragrant beauties are massive, measuring up to six to eight inches long and three inches wide.

The night-blooming cereus Peniocereus greggii is a climbing cactus that grows quickly and reaches a maximum height of 10 feet. And don't even get us started on their heavenly vanilla scent—it's like walking into a bakery on cloud nine!  

Sadly though, Peniocereus greggii is an endangered species. It's not just natural predators that threaten the night-blooming cereus; habitat loss and development also pose serious risks to these incredible plants. So, let's all do our part to keep these stunning blooms thriving for years to come! 

The Peniocereus greggii night-blooming cereus is one of the many plant species that people mostly confuse with the common name "Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum). These are the two plants with comparable traits but different scientific names, so not all plants that are referred to as "Queen of the night" are night-blooming cereus. 

Watering Needs 

The most important thing to remember when caring for a night-blooming cereus Peniocereus greggii is to make sure it gets enough sunlight and doesn't get overwatered.  Watering the night-blooming cereus should be done typically, like other cacti, allowing the soil to almost completely dry out between waterings. 

Overwatering can lead to root rot and damage to Peniocereus greggii. During the summer, you should water your cacti once or twice a month when the soil is dry to the touch and about 1-2 inches deep.  During the winter, you probably do not need to water your night-blooming cereus at all. 

Light Requirements 

Providing enough light for your Peniocereus greggii desert cacti is one of the most important aspects of their care. It is important to grow night-blooming cereus in areas that receive at least 4-6 hours of bright, direct light every day to keep them happy. Learn to adjust your Peniocereus gregii to avoid burns if the location where you have night blooming cereus is exposed to a lot of sunlight.  

If indoors, place your cactus directly in front of a west- or south-facing window. If they don't receive enough light, their stems may grow leggy and become paler, and their spines will shorten. So, make your night-blooming cereus, Peniocereus greggii happy and give it plenty of light. 

Optimal Soil & Fertilizers Needs 

The night-blooming cereus cactus likes very airy, porous, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Cacti require fast-draining soil that dries completely between waterings. Your soil must have a sandy texture and a low water-holding capacity, just like desert soil.  Soggy, wet soil can damage your night blooming cereus and contribute to bacterial and fungal rot. In addition, because of a lack of oxygen, soggy soil substitutes air pockets with water, resulting in an anaerobic environment that can kill your Peniocereus greggii. 

As an alternative, you can create your own potting mix by combining equal portions of perlite, coarse sand, and good natural potting soil. Ideally, you want to use our specialized potting mix that contains organic mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your night-blooming cactus to thrive. 

Ideally, you should look for an organic fertilizer with an approximate blend of 5-10-15 that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen. The best choice is to use organic fertilizers for your night blooming cereus, as they last longer and keep your soil alive by adding other beneficial compounds and microbes that encourage Peniocereus greggii health and nutrient absorption. 

Hardiness Zones & More 

Typically grown in hot, arid desert regions, the night-blooming cereus thrives indoors in warm, dry surroundings. If you live in USDA regions 9 to 10, you can also grow these Peniocereus greggii cacti outdoors year-round, but they are not cold- or frost-tolerant, so you should plant your night blooming cereus indoors or put them in a pot and move them indoors during the winter if you live outside of these regions.

Keep your night-blooming cactus away from cold, drafty windows and air vents if you are growing it indoors in a cold climate.

Be sure to add the night-blooming cereus Peniocereus greggii to your home or garden and enjoy its low-maintenance care while admiring its impressive display year after year.