Nopalxochia phyllanthoides

RHS Plant Profile
pond lily cactus

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pond lily cactus www.gardenworldimages.com

Other common names

empress of Germany

Award of Garden Merit
Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

An evergreen cactus with erect, flattened stems to 40cm in height, bearing bell- or funnel-shaped pink flowers to 10cm across

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cactaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Nopalxochia are evergreen epiphytic cacti with branching, jointed stems composed of strap-shaped, toothed segments, bearing showy funnel-shaped, red or pink flowers in early summer, followed by fleshy red fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a slightly acid, epiphytic cactus compost in bright filtered light and moderate humidity, away from draughts. During the growing season water freely and feed with a half strength balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Keep just moist in winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19 - 24°C in early spring or by cuttings of stem sections

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free