Epiphyllum crysocardium in 12 cm pot.

£19.50

Epiphyllum chrysocardium, often called the Fernleaf Cactus or Shark Tooth Cactus, is a stunning, epiphytic cactus known for its deeply lobed, dramatic foliage that looks like a cross between a fern and a saw blade. It’s a rare and collectible houseplant prized for both its appearance and occasional night-blooming flowers.

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🌿 Epiphyllum chrysocardium – Description

Feature Details

Common Names Fernleaf Cactus, Shark Tooth Cactus

Botanical Name Epiphyllum chrysocardium (also known as Selenicereus chrysocardium in some classifications)

Family Cactaceae (Cactus family)

Growth Habit Epiphytic cactus with long, arching, lobed stems

Leaf Appearance Actually flattened stems, deeply toothed or lobed like shark fins or ferns

Flower Large, fragrant, white or cream-colored night-blooming flowers

Native Range Mexico and Central America, in tropical rainforests

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🪴 Care Guide for Epiphyllum chrysocardium

☀️ Light

Bright, indirect light is best.

Avoid direct midday sun – it can scorch stems.

Will tolerate some morning or late afternoon sun.

💧 Water

Water when top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry.

Likes consistent moisture but not soggy soil.

In winter, reduce watering slightly but don’t let it go bone dry.

🌫️ Humidity

Enjoys moderate to high humidity (50–70% ideal).

Can adapt to normal indoor levels, but thrives in more humid environments.

🌡️ Temperature

Ideal temps: 60–85°F (16–29°C).

Sensitive to cold: do not expose to temps below 50°F (10°C).

🌱 Soil

Needs a light, airy, fast-draining epiphytic mix:

Try: orchid bark + perlite + cactus mix + a bit of peat or coco coir.

🍽️ Fertilizer

Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) every 4 weeks during spring and summer.

Avoid overfeeding; reduce in fall/winter.

🪴 Potting

Likes to be slightly root-bound; repot every 2–3 years or when root-bound.

Use hanging baskets or shallow, wide pots to let stems drape or cascade.

✂️ Pruning & Propagation

Prune dead or leggy stems to maintain shape.

Propagate via stem cuttings:

Let cut ends callous for 1–3 days before planting in moist mix.

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🛑 Common Problems

Problem Cause Fix

Wilting or shriveling Underwatering or root rot Check soil moisture and roots

Yellowing stems Overwatering or poor drainage Improve drainage; reduce watering

Brown stem tips Low humidity or sunburn Raise humidity or reduce direct sun

No blooms Insufficient light or nutrients Increase bright indirect light and feed in spring/summer

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🌸 Bonus Blooming Tips

While rare indoors, this plant can bloom under the right conditions.

Cooler nights, brighter light, and some stress (like slightly less water in winter) can encourage flowering in spring.

Flowers are nocturnal, often opening for a single night and emitting a strong, sweet fragrance.

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✅ Quick Care Summary

Need Summary

Light Bright, indirect

Water When top inch is dry

Humidity Moderate to high (50–70%)

Soil Well-draining, airy epiphytic mix

Fertilizer Monthly in growing season

Potting Every 2–3 years, shallow pots

Epiphyllum chrysocardium, often called the Fernleaf Cactus or Shark Tooth Cactus, is a stunning, epiphytic cactus known for its deeply lobed, dramatic foliage that looks like a cross between a fern and a saw blade. It’s a rare and collectible houseplant prized for both its appearance and occasional night-blooming flowers.

---

🌿 Epiphyllum chrysocardium – Description

Feature Details

Common Names Fernleaf Cactus, Shark Tooth Cactus

Botanical Name Epiphyllum chrysocardium (also known as Selenicereus chrysocardium in some classifications)

Family Cactaceae (Cactus family)

Growth Habit Epiphytic cactus with long, arching, lobed stems

Leaf Appearance Actually flattened stems, deeply toothed or lobed like shark fins or ferns

Flower Large, fragrant, white or cream-colored night-blooming flowers

Native Range Mexico and Central America, in tropical rainforests

---

🪴 Care Guide for Epiphyllum chrysocardium

☀️ Light

Bright, indirect light is best.

Avoid direct midday sun – it can scorch stems.

Will tolerate some morning or late afternoon sun.

💧 Water

Water when top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry.

Likes consistent moisture but not soggy soil.

In winter, reduce watering slightly but don’t let it go bone dry.

🌫️ Humidity

Enjoys moderate to high humidity (50–70% ideal).

Can adapt to normal indoor levels, but thrives in more humid environments.

🌡️ Temperature

Ideal temps: 60–85°F (16–29°C).

Sensitive to cold: do not expose to temps below 50°F (10°C).

🌱 Soil

Needs a light, airy, fast-draining epiphytic mix:

Try: orchid bark + perlite + cactus mix + a bit of peat or coco coir.

🍽️ Fertilizer

Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) every 4 weeks during spring and summer.

Avoid overfeeding; reduce in fall/winter.

🪴 Potting

Likes to be slightly root-bound; repot every 2–3 years or when root-bound.

Use hanging baskets or shallow, wide pots to let stems drape or cascade.

✂️ Pruning & Propagation

Prune dead or leggy stems to maintain shape.

Propagate via stem cuttings:

Let cut ends callous for 1–3 days before planting in moist mix.

---

🛑 Common Problems

Problem Cause Fix

Wilting or shriveling Underwatering or root rot Check soil moisture and roots

Yellowing stems Overwatering or poor drainage Improve drainage; reduce watering

Brown stem tips Low humidity or sunburn Raise humidity or reduce direct sun

No blooms Insufficient light or nutrients Increase bright indirect light and feed in spring/summer

---

🌸 Bonus Blooming Tips

While rare indoors, this plant can bloom under the right conditions.

Cooler nights, brighter light, and some stress (like slightly less water in winter) can encourage flowering in spring.

Flowers are nocturnal, often opening for a single night and emitting a strong, sweet fragrance.

---

✅ Quick Care Summary

Need Summary

Light Bright, indirect

Water When top inch is dry

Humidity Moderate to high (50–70%)

Soil Well-draining, airy epiphytic mix

Fertilizer Monthly in growing season

Potting Every 2–3 years, shallow pots