Echinopsis multiplex - Easter lily cactus

Echinopsis multiplex, also known as Moon Cactus, Sea Urchin Cactus, Easter Lily Cactus, or Hedgehog Cactus, is a rounded cactus native to South America. Appreciated for its large fragrant flowers ranging in shades from white to light pink, even to light red, this plant is a hit among cactus enthusiasts. Easy to grow, it thrives both in pots and rock gardens in frost-free areas. It is a frost-tender species that prefers warmth and dryness: full sun and a coarse, well-draining substrate are essential for its proper development. Growing it in a pot allows you to bring this lovely cactus indoors before winter.

As a member of the large Cactaceae family, Echinopsis multiplex hails from southern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and Uruguay. In its natural habitat, this species thrives on rocky, well-drained terrain. This cactus slowly grows into a cluster of round stems. It forms a globular stem, slightly flattened on top, which becomes cylindrical with age, reaching up to 30 cm in height and 25 cm in diameter. Its epidermis, ranging from light green to dark green, is marked by 11 to 14 narrow, well-defined ribs. White woolly areoles at the top of the ribs produce brownish, sharp spines: 5 to 9 radial spines measuring around 2 cm surround 2 to 5 central spines that can reach 4 cm in length. The spectacular flowering occurs between May and September. The slightly fragrant night-blooming flowers measure between 18 and 20 cm in length with a diameter of 13 cm, displaying shades from white to light pink, even to very pale red. Though short-lived – often opening at nightfall and lasting less than 24 hours – they offer a magnificent spectacle. After flowering, the plant produces green fruits about 4 cm long and 2 cm in diameter, containing numerous black seeds.

Plant Echinopsis multiplex in a rock garden or on a well-drained slope if your garden is located by the sea, where it does not freeze. Elsewhere, grow it in a large, heavy pot with drainage holes that you can shelter in winter. Due to its spectacular flowering, this succulent plant makes an ideal focal point in a cactus bed or a collection of succulent plants. Pair it, for example, with Agave parryi neomexicana, Mangaves, Aloe aristata, or Sedum palmeri. In a rock garden, Echinopsis multiplex can be enhanced with white pebbles or volcanic rocks for a natural rocky effect. Used alone or in groups, Echinopsis multiplex quickly becomes a centrepiece in an exotic garden or on a sunny urban balcony.