Looking for a unique and eye-catching addition to your indoor plant collection? Look no further than the Sea Urchin Cactus - a stunningly beautiful evergreen perennial that's perfect for any garden or indoor space. Also known as Echinopsis eyriesii, this cactus boasts pure white or pink blooms that open at night and emit a sweet fragrance that fills the air. But this plant is more than just its appearance. 

The Echinopsis eyriesii, known as the Easter lily cactus or sea urchin cactus, is a fun and interesting species of the Echinopsis genus. It is a type of cactus that is easily identifiable by its ability to withstand cold temperatures and its large, night-blooming pink-white flowers. Due to its distinctive size and shape, it is also frequently used in landscaping and known as a night blooming cactus.  If the weather is cool or cloudy, the flowers can stay open for two or more days. This unique easter plant blooms in the spring, and when it does, you will be treated to beautiful white flowers.  

An interesting bit of Echinopsis cactus information is its clumpy growth habit, often known as a clump-forming species. It tends to lean to the right and produces pups on that side's base and the opposite side. 

Overall, this easter cactus is an easy plant to care for and makes a great addition to any cacti collection! 

 

Watering Needs 

This easter lily cactus plant can withstand droughts and doesn't need to be watered frequently to survive. In reality, Echinopsis cacti are acutely susceptible to overwatering and are vulnerable to root rot if overly wet. Between waterings, let the soil completely dry out, and if in doubt, give it a little more time before watering again.  

Remember that cacti in the desert can go for weeks or even months without water, so water them sparingly during their rest phase and moderately during their active growing season. 

  

Light Requirements 

If you're looking to grow a healthy and thriving Sea Urchin cactus plant, you'll need to provide it with plenty of bright, indirect light. When grown as a houseplant, it should be placed in the sunniest spot in your home to receive the six to eight hours of bright sunlight that it needs each day.   

This usually means placing the plant in a south or west-facing window or using a grow light to provide supplemental light. However, it may experience stunted growth, curled leaves, and faded colors even though it can survive in low light. 

  

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

Are you ready to take your Echinopsis eyriesii (Sea urchin cactus) plant game to the next level? Then listen up, because this is important! When it comes to choosing the right soil and fertilizers for your adorable cacti, you need to be extra cautious and need to use the right kind of soil.  Moisture can be a real killer, leading to root and stem rot in no time flat. But fear not my fellow green thumbs! Planet Desert has got your back with our specialized cactus potting mix that includes 10 natural substrates with organic mycorrhizae – perfect for promoting healthy roots and happy plants. 

Organic or 100% natural fertilizers are the best choice as they last longer and keep your soil alive by adding other beneficial compounds and microbes that encourage plant health and nutrient absorption. So, skip those harsh chemicals and give your cactus some love with a good natural fertilizer! 

Hardiness Zones & More 

Easter lily cacti are some of the hardiest plants around, tolerating cold temperatures down to 27° F. They're also heat-loving, and can withstand humidity up to 115°F. Some resources say that they're even cold-tolerant down to 20°F, but this is doubtful.  They can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 9-12 and can survive low winter temperatures as long as the compost is not wet. 

So, if you're looking for a tough plant that can handle just about anything, the easter cactus is a great choice! 

Bloom Season	Late spring - early summer
Botanical Name	Echinopsis eyriesii
Common Name	Sea Urchin cactus
Dormancy	Winter
Flower Color	Nocturnal, pure white, dark green, pink
Genus	Echinopsis
Growth Habit	Clumped
Growth Rate	Slow
Hardiness Zone	9, 10, 11, 12
Mature Size	6-11 in. tall, 4-6 in. wide
Native Area	Southern Brazil, Argentina
Plant Type	Ornamental cactus plant
Propagation	By seed, stem cuttings
Resistance	Drought tolerant, pest resistance
Soil PH	6.5, Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type	specialized cactus potting mix
Special Features	Night blooming flowers
Sun Exposure	Full sun, partial shade
Toxicity	Toxic for humans, toxic for pets
Watering Needs	Moderate