Star Attractions: : Night Bloom

Like a nocturnal nymph that only shows up when the sun goes down, the night blooming cereus is one of North County’s true shining stars.

This succulent, a member of the genus Epiphyllum, grows four years or more before ever producing a blossom. The blossoms exude a heavenly perfume that can only be experienced for a few hours in the dead of the night. The fragrant white flowers bloom for only one month in the middle of summer before withering.

In the golden days before television, when amusements were simpler, people would host midsummer, late-night parties with the blooming cactus as star attraction. Because the blooming stage of the cactus is so predictable, guests could gather round the succulent at an appointed hour, watch it slowly unfold and drink in its heady scent.

Night blooming cereus is sold only during early summer when buds are just forming. Local nurseries sell a small cactus in a container for $20 to $25.