About
Has slender, angled, erect or ascending stems with yellow to pale brown spines and trumpet-shaped red flowers to 17cm across, the sepals tinged with purple.
About the genus
Heliocereus are perennial cacti with ribbed, erect or trailing stems, spiny on the ribs, with large funnel-shaped flowers in early summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toC Mexico
Care notes
CultivationGrow in an epiphytic cactus compost in bright filtered light and high humidity. During the growing season water moderately and feed with a half strength balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Keep just moist in winter
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 19 - 21°C in early spring or by offsets
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free