Easter lily cactus (Echinopsis oxygona) is an evergreen, cylinder-shaped cactus that will grow from 30 to 46 cm tall and 61 cm wide. From spring to summer, it blooms with eye-catching blossoms of pink flowers that fade to white in the center. Thrives in full sun and prefers dry to medium, well-drained soil. Pet-friendly, it can be grown in the garden or container to add beauty and interest to landscape or patio.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Echinopsis oxygona, also known as Eyries cactus, Easter lily cactus or sea-urchin cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae. Its features include many robust spines, spherical shape, and a large flower, with sharply pointed lavender or white petals, and a fine faint scent.
Echinopsis oxygona, native to Southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Entre Ríos Province, Argentina, thrives in lowland environments, reaching altitudes of up to 1,000 meters above sea level. In these areas, there is a tropical and continental climate, characterized by arid winters and humid summers. The annual precipitation in these regions amounts to approximately 1,500 mm, sustaining an average annual temperature range of 25–30°C, rarely dropping below zero degrees.
Echinopsis oxygona grows singly or in groups. The spherical to short cylindrical, dark green shoots reach heights of growth of up to 75 centimeters with a diameter of 12 to 15 centimeters. There are eleven to twelve sharp-edged, wavy ribs that are deeply notched. The white to gray or black areolas located on them are up to 2 centimeters apart. Yellowish thorns emerge from them, which have a darker tip. The three to four strong central spines are up to 3.5 centimeters long. The up to 20 unequal, protruding radial spines have a length of up to 2.5 centimeters.
Plants produce white flowers that open at night. Flowers are up to 24 centimeters long and have a diameter of 10 centimeters.
It grows well in full sun, or light shade. These cacti can stand strong heat, and even temperatures as low as −10 °C (14 °F). Usually these are outdoor plants. They are used to the dry, desert climate, so they do not need to be watered every day.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Easter lily cactus is a heliophilic plant and needs sufficient sunlight for its growth and blooming. It can be placed on the outdoor balcony or in the garden without shade. However, long-time exposure to blazing sunlight should be avoided in hot summer, when it needs to be shaded or cooled a little to prevent high temperatures from damaging it.
Temperature
Easter lily cactus is distributed throughout tropical, subtropical, and semi-desert regions with scarce rainfall, intense sunlight, and hot temperatures. The optimum temperature for growth is 20 to 35 ℃. Lower than 10 ℃ or higher than 35 ℃, growth slows and dormancy begins. The air humidity should not be too high and the environment should be well-ventilated. Avoid high humidity and accumulated water.
Watering
Easter lily cactus is a drought-tolerant plant that does not require frequent watering. Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dry. When potted, water slowly, wait for water to flow out the bottom, and then pour the excess water from the tray to avoid water accumulation.
Spring, summer, and fall are its growing seasons. Water once or twice a week to keep the soil slightly wet. In winter, water less; just keep the soil from drying excessively; usually once a week. Besides, water with rainwater or distilled water rather than tap water.
Tap water contains a lot of calcium, magnesium, and other mineral salts. Long-term use tends to cause soil compaction. Avoid splashing water on its stem when watering to prevent rotting.
Soil
Easter lily cactus grows best in fertile, gravel-rich, water-permeable soil with a pH value of 6-7. The culture soil formula often used is 60% vermiculite + 20% coco coir or peat moss + 20% sandy soil. A small amount of organic potting soil can also be added. Lightweight culture media such as vermiculite can be added to improve the air permeability of the soil. Eggshell powder or vermicompost can also be added to increase the soil fertility.
Roots of Easter lily cactus are very sensitive to oxygen deficiency. If the soil is poorly permeable to air and water, root rot can set in. It’s easy to judge permeability: when watering, water should pass through the medium quickly, rather than stop at the soil surface and slowly seep down. Repot and loosen the soil every year to ensure the air permeability of the soil.
Fertilizing
In growing seasons (namely spring, summer and fall), fertilize Easter lily cactus once a month with liquid fertilizer. No fertilizer is required in winter. A small amount of slow-release fertilizer can be well mixed into the soil when repotting in spring or fall.
Use nitrogen fertilizer during seedling and phosphate-potassium fertilizer before and after blooming. The fertilizer concentration should be as low as possible. It would be better to apply low-concentrate fertilizer several times rather than to use a high concentration. If the base is yellow and grows slowly, the cause may be excessive fertilizer, and fertilization should be immediately stopped.
Planting Instructions
Sow, plant, or repot in spring or fall when the temperature is 15 to 20 °C . Keep air humidity high when seeding. Use plastic film to cover the soil and remove it after the seeds germinate.
Use permeable clay flower pots for potted plants. Too large a flowerpot accumulates water easily, while too small a flowerpot limits the development of roots. Before planting, expose soil to blazing sunlight and disinfect to kill pathogens.
If planted in the garden, Easter lily cactus prefers an area with full sun and loose soil. Remove all weeds and replace the soil if needed to ensure good water permeability and avoid root rot. Wear gloves or use tongs when planting to prevent your fingers from getting pricked. You can also wrap the plant in a towel to help you move it.
Pruning
Easter lily cactus does not require much pruning. Remove withered flowers and branches so the plant uses nutrients on healthy growth.
Propagation
In addition to the seeding mentioned above, main propagation methods include division and grafting. To divide, cut off the tip or lateral branches of the stem with a knife and plant it in soil. After a period of time, many small shoots will grow up near the cut. When a shoot grows to proper size, it can be cut off and transplanted to form a new plant.
To graft, select a suitable rootstock. Cut the tip of the rootstock, such as the stem of pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus), and then put Easter lily cactus, with its roots removed, in the center of the rootstock and fix it with a rope. After 1-2 weeks, the two parts grow together and the rope can be removed.
Repotting
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a cacti, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot. Be careful when handling Echinopsis as they have stiff spines.
III. Uses and Benefits
Easter lily cactus is an attractive and resilient cactus for outdoor planting in suitable climates. It fits in great in sunny positions in succulent, cactus, and rock gardens. In temperate climates with cold winters, it can be grown in a container on a sunny patio and moved to a cool indoor space over winter. When planting, allow for some space for the plant to spread.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Most fruits of Easter lily cactus are edible. Pick the fruit when they turn red. Avoid food safety issues by confirming the species with experts. Wear gloves or use scissors and other tools to harvest.
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