A Queen of the Night Flower with Hollywood Celebrity Status

This is quick blog by me, dad Simon, on a very intriguing succulent cactus which has achieved Hollywood celebrity star status, some say even outshining some of the actors in the same movie!

The movie was the hit 2018 romantic comedy 'Crazy Rich Asians' and the flower was from the Tan Hua cactus (epiphyllum oxypetalum), popularly known as The Queen of the Night. She is also known as the orchid cactus or night-blooming cereus.

So what is so special about this flower that she has a key scene in the movie centred on her? Even before the movie, this cactus has fascinated generations all over the world and is held in great regard in many cultures, purportedly bringing good luck to those who stay up to witness it. It flowers

rarely, often just on a single night a year, and only at midnight and is gone by the morning. It exudes an intoxicating perfume. In the movie as in many cultures all over the world, overnight parties are held to celebrate this event.

It originates from Guatemala and Mexico, but had reached China by the 1600s and is now found all over the world in tropical climes and as house-plants in more temperate areas. Despite its seemingly exotic beauty and apparent rarity, it is actually really easy to propagate and grow. All you need is a cutting from a friend, planted (preferably with rooting hormone) into cactus succulent compost and once this takes, it will bloom about 2 years after this, anytime from late spring to late summer.

Look out for the small bud above from the side of one of the leaves and this will bloom later that night and then wither by the morning.

We were given a rooted cutting of this a year ago and I can testify that it has taken quite a bit of neglect during lockdown, having forgotten to water it for a few weeks, but despite this, it has sprung back to life with repotting into some cactus compost and placing in a warm summer house all summer. I hope to be able to show you our very own Tan Hua flower next year, but meanwhile here is one from the parent plant of my mother-in-law's.

So why not buy one online or if you are lucky, get a cutting from a friend or family and start growing your own celebrity movie star plant in your own home. Good luck!

I have added this following my recent Malaysian trip: (jan 2022) - I caught the Tan Hua plant in bud at home and then in bloom during my visit and had to upload these pictures:

Joke: What did the little cacti say to the big cactus when they were running away? “Cactus if you can!”

I know, bad right? Hope you are having a better day!

Adios amigos,

Dad of Miles 👦🏻💜🌵