Night blooms
Night-Blooming Cactus
Peruvian Apple and San Pedro flowers open after sunset, last one night, and are gone by morning.
Quick answer: Peruvian Apple and San Pedro cacti bloom at night. The large white flowers open at dusk in warm weather and close by morning, so you have to be there after dark to see them.
Why bloom at night?
Night-blooming cacti are pollinated mostly by moths and bats. The big, pale, fragrant flowers are easy to find in the dark, which is why they are white and scented.
How to enjoy the show
- Plant them near a patio, window or walkway you use in the evening.
- Look for swollen buds in late spring and summer. Buds usually open a night or two after they swell.
- Go out after sunset. The flowers are at their best in the first few hours of darkness.
- Add soft, warm lighting low to the ground to make the silhouettes glow.
Design a moonlight garden
Silvery blue-green stems and white flowers look incredible under moonlight. Pair tall columnar cacti with pale gravel, dark pots and warm uplighting for a garden that comes alive at night.
Start your night garden
Pick a Peruvian Apple or San Pedro and plan your first midnight bloom.