It is nightblooming and its flowers last only a single night in spring. It is common that specimens rare or never flower, but when they do so, they are usually rootbound in poor soil, then can produce many white, pink and maroon slender-petaled starburst blossom; which begin to open right at dusk, releasing a pleasing fragrance intended to attract nocturnal pollinators. Because the flowers are so quickly spent, this epiphyte is mainly only grown for the strange leaves which lend it the common name Ric-Rac Cactus, or occasionally Zig-Zag or Fishbone Cactus. It can be grown either in orchid substrate, or in regular cactus potting soil with a bit of humus added. In the wild it attaches itself to trees, clinging by little aerial root filaments along the zigzagging succulent leaves, but is adaptable to terrestrial habits. It loves strong yet indirect lighting. It does not need a lot of water and should be permitted to dry out entirely between waterings.

Similar plants:

• Selenicereus chrysocardium, Epiphyllum chrysocardium, Marniera chrysocardium (Marniera, Fern Leaf)
• Selenicereus grandiflorus (Queen of the Night, Large-flowered Cactus, Sweet-Scented Cactus, Vanilla Cactus)
• Selenicereus hondurensis (Honduran Moon-Torch Cactus, Queen of the Night, Night Blooming Cereus)
• Selenicereus macdonaldiae (Queen of the Night)
• Selenicereus megalanthus (Pitaya, Pitahaya, Dragon Fruit, Strawberry Pear)
• Selenicereus pteranthus, Cereus pteranthus (Princess of the Night)
• Selenicereus setaceus, Hylocereus setaceus (Pineapple Cactus)
• Selenicereus sp. (Moonlight Cactus)
• Selenicereus wercklei, Cereus wercklei (Queen of the Night, Flor de la Luna)
• Strophocactus wittii, Selenicereus wittii (Amazon Moonflower)