Echinopsis sp. / Easter Lily Cactus)

This is a young Echinopsis cactus (commonly sold as Echinopsis sp. / Easter Lily Cactus).

🌵 Name

Echinopsis species
(Family: Cactaceae)

🌱 Description

• Shape: Globular to short columnar when young

• Color: Bright glossy green body

• Ribs: Prominent, rounded ribs with deep grooves

• Spines: Yellowish to light brown, radiating from woolly areoles

• Growth habit: Starts round; with age it elongates slightly and may form clumps

• Special feature: Famous for producing very large, fragrant flowers compared to plant size 🌸

🌼 Flowers

• Color: White, pink, yellow, red (depends on species/hybrid)

• Size: Large, trumpet-shaped

• Timing: Late spring to summer

• Fragrance: Strong and sweet

• Bloom duration: Usually opens at night and lasts 1–2 days

☀️ Care Guide

Light

• Bright light to full sun

• Best with morning sun + afternoon shade in hot Indian summers

Water

• Water thoroughly only when soil is completely dry

• Summer: every 7–10 days

• Winter: very little water (once a month or less)

Soil

• Fast-draining cactus mix

• Ideal mix:

  • 50% coarse sand / perlite

  • 30% garden soil

  • 20% compost

Temperature

• Ideal: 18–35°C

• Can tolerate heat well

• Protect from frost

Fertilizer

• Once a month during growing season

• Use diluted cactus fertilizer (low nitrogen)

Pot

• Always use a pot with drainage holes

• Slightly tight pots encourage flowering

🌱 Propagation

• By offsets (pups)

• By seeds (slow but rewarding)

⚠️ Common Problems

• Soft body: Overwatering

• Stretching: Lack of sunlight

• No flowers: Too much nitrogen or insufficient light/rest period