Sea Urchin Cactus

Echinopsis oxygona

Flowers: white, pink, pale red to lavender
Blooming season: late spring to all summer long.
Cultivation and Propagation: The Easter Lily cactus Echinopsis oxygona is, extremely resistant to cultivation and easily reproduced by offshoots. The only thing that can kill this plant is cold. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to provide adequate growing conditions in order to obtain abundant blooms. It has very large fragrant nocturnal flowers and many plant lovers are willing to take care of it all year for one or a few magical nights with exotic charm.
Growth rate: It is a relatively rapidly growing species that will make large clumps given the best conditions.
Watering: Needs moderate to copious waterings in summer (it is more demanding than other cactus), but do not overwater, keep dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C.
Hardiness: Reputedly resistant to light frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather (hardy to -2 C ° C, or less for short periods). However, warmth throughout the year will increase the grower’s success (5°-8° C during the rest season).
Exposition: The plant tolerates bright situations which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if overexposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer. It grows well with filtered sunlight or afternoon shade.