How to Grow and Care for Selenicereus

Native to eastern Mexico, the Selenicereus spinulosus or vine-like moonlight cactus produces aerial roots and fragrant flowers that bloom mid-spring to early summer. Its yellow, globular fruit is covered with yellowish spines. Use extreme caution when handling because of the spines.

Native to Mexico, rick rack cactus (Selenicereus anthonyanus) is celebrated for its unusual appearance. Not only are its large, spiny, violet-red flowers remarkable for their nocturnal blooming hours, but the stem itself is notched and resembles a winding leaf. In nature, the ladder-like stems climb trees, but most garden versions are kept in hanging pots.

White-Fleshed Pitahaya is best known for its strange, edible fruit with white flesh and red-and-green skin that looks like it came from a dragon. However, many people don't know that this "fruit tree" is a large, epiphytic cactus and the most-cultivated cactus species in the world. With its hanging segments and nocturnal star-shaped flowers, the entire plant looks quite otherworldly. In fact, in some places, it is truly "alien," escaping cultivation and becoming an invasive weed in the wild.

Selenicereus validus is a cactus that is grown ornamentally for its abundant, ropelike stems and elegant, white flowers. It is a popular houseplant that is easy to grow but vulnerable to pests like mealybugs and scale, especially if overwatered. This cactus grows on trees in the wild and so does well on walls and other soil-free environments.

Selenicereus vagans is a climbing cactus with slender, sprawling stems that bear striking, nocturnal white flowers. These blossoms are significant in navigating its predominantly night-time pollination. The plant can often be found clinging to rocky substrates, leveraging its flexible stems to absorb scarce humidity in arid environments.