Easter Lily Cactus is a beautiful houseplant option that offers large scented blooms. It is low-maintenance, too.
Native to Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil, the Easter Lily Cactus belongs to the Cactaceae family. It has a round shape with 11-18 ribs and several sturdy spines. This cactus also offers large pink or white funnel-shaped blooms on wooly stems in spring to summer that open during the evening and close by midday. These flowers are not just beautiful but also spread pleasing fragrance.
When grown in pots, it may attain a height of up to 1 foot with a 2-foot spread. This fast-growing plant produces offsets that can be used to propagate new plants.
Botanical name: Echinopsis oxygona
USDA Zones: 8-11
Propagating Easter Lily Cactus
Once mature, it produces pups or offsets that can be divided from the parent plant and can be potted individually as new plants.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Easter Lily Cactus
Light
Place the place in your home where it gets lots of sunlight; a south or west-facing window will be ideal. If there is a lack of adequate light, use supplemental grow lights. You can move the plant outdoors in summer to an area with 8 hours of daily sunlight.
Soil
You can use a succulent or cacti mix to grow Easter Lily Cactus. Use well-draining soil with a loose texture. Create your mix with two parts sand or other grit and three parts soil.
Water
The Easter lily cactus is a drought-tolerant plant. However, for optimal growth, it should be kept relatively moist. Overly wet soil can lead to root issues. Ensure the potting soil is well-draining and that the container has drainage holes.
Use your hands to check the soil’s moisture level; water thoroughly only when the soil is dry to the touch. Then, wait until it dries out again before watering. Additionally, cacti can be sensitive to some municipal water supplies, so always let your tap water stand for 24 hours before using it on the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
This cactus belongs to the warm regions and favors a temperature range between 65-75 F ( 18-24 C). It favors low humidity and will not respond well in humid areas. Too much humidity has adverse effects, the same as overwatering, and leads to fungal diseases and rot.
Easter Lily Cactus Care
Fertilizer
This plant does not need much fertilizer, as it naturally acclimates to low-nutrient soils. If you want the best blooms on Easter Lily Cactus, then apply a diluted balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer or cacti food in late winter to early spring. Ensure to dilute it by half.
Pruning
You don’t need to prune it; the spent flowers will fall off naturally, or you can pick them by hand.
Repotting
Echinopsis oxygona prefers to be slightly pot-bound. However, repot it every couple of years to rejuvenate the soil, but it doesn’t require a larger pot each time. Increase the pot size only when the body of the cactus touches the rim of the container.
Pests and Diseases
When grown indoors, this plant has fewer issues if it gets sufficient light, suitable soil, and is not overwatered—wet or soggy soil results in root rot. If you are moving the plant outdoors in summer, pests like scale and mealybugs may infest it. Fungal diseases are more common when the soil does not drain well or when watering is excessive.
Toxicity
This plant is not toxic, but due to its sharp spines. You can also keep it away from the approach or keep an eye on children and pets when they are around this plant to avoid any damage.
