How to Get Easter Lily Cactus to Bloom on Time
Easter lily cactus also known as the Night-Blooming Hedgehog or Sea-Urchin Cactus is a beautiful plant that blooms around Easter to mid-summer. The showy white to light pink funnel-shaped flowers have a sweet scent that can spruce up your holiday mood.
This fast growing cactus has a clumping habit. Its globular stems are heavily ribbed and covered with grayish spines. A mature plant can have up to 12 blooms at once. On warm days in summer, the flowers bloom at dusk and wilt the following afternoon.
Native to South America, Easter lily cactus is a perfect addition to rock gardens. Most often, it is grown in pots as houseplant particularly in cold climates. Like many cacti, it is relatively easy to grow and maintain. It is extremely resistant to drought, heat, deer, and insect pests.
Common names | Easter lily cactus, Night-Blooming Hedgehog or Sea-Urchin Cactus |
Botanical name | Echinopsis oxygona (previously Echinopsis multiplex) |
Plant type | Perennial cactus |
Mature size | 12 in. tall, 6 in. wide |
Blooming | Late spring to mid summer |
Flower color | White to pink |
Hardiness zone | 9-11 (USDA) |
Sun exposure | Full sun – partial shade |
Soil type | Sandy or any well-draining mix |
Propagation | Seed or division (pup separation) |
How to get Easter lily cactus to bloom
The Easter lily cactus will naturally respond to warmth and longer day hours in spring or early summer by producing colorful flowers. However, it may take two to three years for this plant to reach maturity and bloom. So, all you need is to plant it in advance and provide the right care.
Watering needs
The Night-Blooming Hedgehog is extremely drought tolerant. As such, it needs minimal watering when grown as a houseplant. Overwatering can cause root rot and other fungal issues. In winter, this plant should be watered even less frequently, about once a month.
During the growing season, it should be watered weekly or biweekly typically when the soil is completely dry to touch. Plants kept outside like on a porch will need more water than those grown indoors. When watering, drench the soil until some water runs out from the bottom of the pot.
Easter lily cacti may not do well in places with high humidity. The plants store water in their fleshy stems which they use when conditions get dry. So, they don’t rely on frequent misting like other houseplants.
Light requirements
Native to warm regions, Easter lily cactus needs 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. The succulent can also thrive in partial shade but insufficient sunlight can cause etiolation, lack of blooming, and poor growth. If growing indoors, an east or south-facing window is the perfect spot.
However, if the cactus is receiving too much direct sunlight, it may turn yellow or brown. If this occurs, move your cactus to a location with filtered sunlight. If your Easter lily cactus is not receiving enough sunlight use artificial grow lights to supplement the natural light.
Soil and fertilizer
The Echinopsis oxygona thrives in well-draining soil with a neutral pH. Soil that does not drain properly will lead to root rot and other fungal issues. When planting, it’s best to use a cactus or succulent potting mix. Alternatively, mix potting soil with sand, pumice, or perlite in equal parts.
Like most houseplants, the Easter lily cactus benefits from occasional fertilization typically during the growing season in spring and summer. Use a well-balanced succulent fertilizer and apply as directed on the package. Do not over-fertilize as it can cause salt buildup in the soil.
Temperature and hardiness
The Easter cactus is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. This means it prefers warmer temperatures between 65 and 75 °F. If you live in a colder climate the cactus should be brought indoors during winter. Heavy frost or exposure to cold drafts can damage or kill the plant.
Potting and repotting
The Sea-Urchin cactus likes to be a bit pot-bound but it should be repotted every 3 to 5 years in fresh soil. Use a slightly larger pot with drainage holes at the bottom. Pots without good drainage can retain excess moisture around the roots which can result in root rot and fungal issues.
For best results, repot the cactus during the growing season in spring or summer. Don’t forget to use well-draining soil.
How to propagate Easter lily cactus
After flowering is complete, the Easter lily cactus produces large green fruits with many seeds that can be extracted and used to naturally regenerate the plant. However, the easiest method of propagation is by division where pups can be separated from the mother plant and grown into their own pots.
Here are general steps for propagating Easter lily cacti by offsets.
- Allow the mother plant to produce offsets that are large enough to handle.
- Using a sterilized knife, carefully separate the offset from the mother plant.
- Let the cut ends of the offset dry and form a callus. This helps prevent rot.
- Insert the offset into a well-draining potting mix. Use a pot with drainage holes at the bottom.
- Mist the soil and place the pot in a bright, indirect location.
- Keep monitoring your plants and water whenever the soil gets dry.
- In a few weeks, roots and new shoots will form on the pups indicating a success in propagation.
Pests and common problems
For many years that I have grown Easter lily cactus, I confirm that this succulent is pretty hardy and resistant to many pests and diseases. However, if not receiving proper care, it can be susceptible to mealybugs and spider mites and scale insects.
As these pests feed on sap, they can affect the plant’s health or expose it to pathogenic infections. So, it is important to inspect your plants regularly for pests and take action before they cause damage. If discovered, treat pests with neem or insecticidal soap.
Root rot is also a common problem when Easter lily cactus is overwatered. This is a serious condition that causes mushy roots and even stems. To save the plant, you need to trim off the affected roots and plant the cactus in well-draining fresh potting soil.
Final thought
With proper care, the Easter lily cactus will bloom every year in spring or early summer. The scented flowers last for several weeks then they dry away. The plant is not poisonous but pets and children must be supervised around it because of its sharp spines.
My name is Diane M Lewik, and I am the founder of this website. I am a degree holder in plant biology from the University of California – Berkeley. Over the years, I have cultivated a vast collection of succulents and I have learned a great deal about how to grow and care for these unique plants. Feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below.