Echinopsis oxygona (Easter Lily Cactus)

A very popular succulent, Echinopsis oxygona (Easter Lily Cactus) is a mat-forming cactus with globose to shortly cylindrical, ribbed stems. Clustering from near the base, this plant grows rapidly to form a showy clump, up to 24 in. wide (60 cm). The green stems, 12 in. tall (30 cm) and 2-10 in. wide (5-25 cm), feature 11-18 straight ribs and short, blackish spines. Blooming from late spring to all summer long, large, sweetly scented, funnel-shaped white or pink flowers, up to 4 in. across (10 cm), open in late afternoon and wither the next afternoon on hot days. They are borne at the end of long tubes often as large or even larger than the whole plant. A mature plant may display a dozen of glorious blooms at once. The blossoms give way to large green fruits, 1.8 in. long (4 cm). Easy to grow, this ravishing cactus is perfect for containers. It can be grown as a houseplant, but also grows well outdoors in frost-free climates. Reputedly resistant to light frost if kept on the dry side, it is reported to be cold-hardy down to 28°F (-2°C) for short periods.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 12 in. tall (30 cm) and 24 in. wide (60 cm).
• Easily grown in a very porous standard cactus mix soil in full sun. Water moderately when in growth, sparingly when dormant. Drought tolerant.
• Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer 2 or 3 times in the growing season.
• Virtually pest and disease free. Keep an eye out for mealybugs. Susceptible to fungal diseases if over-watered.
• Propagate by seed or offsets.
• Native to Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Southern Brazil.