Cereus peruvianus (Night Blooming Cereus)

Cereus peruvianus is a large erect, thorny columnar cactus. It is an unexplored, underutilized cactus, grown only as an ornamental plant, even though it produces attractive, edible fruits. The nocturnal flowers remain open for one night. The fruits are thornless and vary in skin color from violet-red to yellow. The flesh, which is the edible part of the fruit, is white and contains small, edible, and crunchy seeds. Fruits of a number of other columnar cacti, also belonging to the subfamily Cactoideae, tribe Cereeae, are known to be of economic significance for native use in South America.The Cereus peruvianus is a very upright plant and is used mainly as a floor plant.Many people think from the start that since the plant is a cactus or in the cactus family it shouldn't be watered or it only needs a little. In the watering department it wants to be watered well. What this plant wants as well as most cactus is very good drainage, warmth, sun and low humidity. This plant is a perfect candidate for a sunny south, east or west window. The plant can handle low light levels but thrives in bright light.