Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Easter Lily Cactus Plant Care
Echinopsis oxygona (Link) Zucc. ex Pfeiff.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Echinopsis oxygona, also known as Eyries cactus, Easter lily cactus or sea-urchin cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae, native to south Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. Some species that have been described separately, including Echinopsis eyriesii and Echinopsis tubiflora, are now considered to be synonymous.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun
50–90°F
10–40%
At a glance
How do you care for Easter Lily Cactus?
Water Easter Lily Cactus every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C) and 10–40% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
What Is the Easter Lily Cactus?
Easter Lily Cactus (Echinopsis oxygona) belongs to the Cactaceae family within the Echinopsis genus. Easter Lily Cactus is native to south Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. Easter Lily Cactus is also known as Sea Urchin Cactus.
Easter Lily Cactus displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Easter Lily Cactus produces large, colorful trumpet-shaped flowers.
How Often Should You Water a Easter Lily Cactus?
Echinopsis oxygona requires watering every 14–21 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Easter Lily Cactus Need?
Easter Lily Cactus thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Easter Lily Cactus Prefer?
Echinopsis oxygona grows best at temperatures of 50–90°F. Easter Lily Cactus prefers humidity levels of 10–40%.
Temperature
50–90°F
Humidity
10–40%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Easter Lily Cactus?
Sandy, well-draining cactus mix with perlite and coarse sand. Good drainage is essential for Easter Lily Cactus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Easter Lily Cactus?
Feed Easter Lily Cactus every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Easter Lily Cactus?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Easter Lily Cactus?
Easter Lily Cactus can be propagated through offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to peanut cactus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Easter Lily Cactus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
Non-toxic to humans and pets
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Easter Lily Cactus?
Easter Lily Cactus is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Easter Lily Cactus Need?
Easter Lily Cactus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Easter Lily Cactus is native to south Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. In cooler regions, grow Easter Lily Cactus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 11
Keep exploring plants
Easter Lily Cactus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Echinopsis genus — compare its care with other Echinopsis species on PlantoScan.
Echinopsis is part of the Cactaceae plant family — browse all Cactaceae genera and species.
Easter Lily Cactus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Echinopsis oxygona (Link) Zucc. ex Pfeiff., family Cactaceae (first published in Abbild. Beschr. Cact. 2(1): t. 4. 1845.) — World Flora Online record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Easter Lily Cactus as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 11, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Easter Lily Cactus Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species