by Carole Meisenhelter

Created on: December 01, 2008   Last Updated: May 16, 2010

Well recognized “plants that look after themselves” are often within the cacti family.  The fact that they can prosper through extreme climatic conditions in the desert, and thrive on infrequent rains, only confirms their inherent survival characteristics.  Collectors from around the world.  Share the ultimate delight when their cacti commence flowering.  The Queen of the Night Cacti (Selenicereus grandiflorus), has to be ranked right up there for its spectacularly exotic flowers.

From the lower elevations of eastern Mexico, near the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the Queen of the Night is cultivated also, throughout the Caribbean.  Nowadays, we can experience the wonderful exhibit that this cacti performs each year, in many other parts of the world too.

It should be said, that it is only when the Queen of the Night cactus is actually in flower, that it can be considered so striking.  Until then, anyone might be excused for giving up on this cacti because of its positively ordinary daytime and year round profile.  Its long and spindly cylindrical stems offer no hint to the secret about to be revealed on just one solitary night of the year.

During late Spring, the Queen of the Night cacti will have swollen buds which spell surprise when they open up into an outstanding, colossal subtle-white flower with mellow-yellow stamens, not dissimilar to a water lily.  The Queen of the Night flower will measure approximately10 inches wide (25.5 cm), and then it is without a doubt, out to charm all who are so lucky to witness this grand nocturnal display.  Not only so fascinatingly beautiful, but also enthralling, because the Queen of the Night flowers possess an exquisite vanilla scent.  Perfumers have been able to base a delightful fragrance from this alluring “note”.

It happens that these flowers open up within a matter of two or three hours, which means you could sit outdoors and await the big moment, under a night sky.  A treat certainly worth waiting for, and communities in some parts of the world do in fact meet up.  They gather with drinks to celebrate together, the momentous opening of the Queen of the Night flower.

While it definitely warrants centre stage on the night, the Queen of the Night cactus will unfortunately display none of these stunning attributes the following morning.  That precious flower will have withered away as the dawn approaches.  What a shame it is so short-lived and remains open only when many are most likely to miss this magical exhibit of cacti splendor; a 1/365 spectacular floral extravaganza.

Learn more about this author, Carole Meisenhelter.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.