Scientific Name
Disocactus phyllanthoides (DC.) Barthlott
Common Name(s)
German Empress, Giant Empress, Pond Lily Cactus
Synonym(s)
Cactus phyllanthoides, Cereus phyllanthoides, Epiphyllum phyllanthoides, Nopalxochia phyllanthoides, Phyllocactus phyllanthoides
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Hylocereeae
Genus: Disocactus
Flower
Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Mid-spring
Description
Disocactus phyllanthoides is an easy-to-grow jungle cactus with green or reddish stems that grow to 3.3 feet (1 m) long or more. The primary branching stems are woody at the base, flattened at the apex, up to 16 inches (40 cm) long, and up to 0.2 inches (0.6 cm) thick. The secondary stems are flat, lanceolate, acute with coarsely scalloped margins, toothed, up to 12 inches (30 cm) long, and up to 2 inches (5 cm) wide.
The flowers are funnel-shaped, pink, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, and up to 3.5 inches (9 cm) in diameter. Fruits are ellipsoid, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long, with low ribs, green at first, and later red.

How to Grow and Care
Disocactus should be grown in rich but still well-draining soil. They should be watered regularly and fertilized as well. This is essential for good growth and flowering. Keep relatively dry in winter or when night temperatures remain below 10° C. Disocactus dislike extreme heat and cold, so they are best green-housed during the depth of winter and heat of summer in hot, dry climates such as mine. They also prefer shade to sun and a little extra humidity in the air. Flowering in spring and summer, the flower color varies from white, yellow, red, or purple, depending on the species.
Disocactus can be reproduced both by seeds and cuttings.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Disocactus.
Origin
Disocactus phyllanthoides is native to Mexico (Hidalgo, Oaxaca).
Links
- Back to genus Disocactus
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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