Image – Wikimedia/Adriano Makoto Suzuki
Although most flowers open with the sun, there are some who are in love with the moon. Are night blooming plants, usually late in the afternoon or, there are even some that do it at midnight. And it is that not all species have the same pollinators; in fact, plants are often very demanding about their choice.
If you want to see the flowers at night, you will have to go to sleep later or even get up at dawn, but I can already tell you that it will be worth it.
Baobab
Image - Wikimedia / Bernard DUPONT
Didn't you know that the Baobab, scientifically known as Adansonia, blooms at night? Well, actually its delicate petals open at sunset, and the flower can remain open for a few days.
It is a very slow-growing deciduous tree native to Africa, Madagascar and Australia that can reach a maximum height of 30 meters. He doesn't like the cold at all; In fact, from my own experience I can tell you that when temperatures start to drop below 5ºC it starts to get bad.
Berlandiera lyrata
This herb is sometimes called the chocolate flower by the English and Americans. It is a perennial plant that can grow between 30 and 60 centimeters in height, and produces yellow flowers which open at night, but close around noon. Also, you should know that it blooms for several months, in spring and summer.
It is native to the United States, and can be perfect whether it is grown in a pot or in a garden. The only thing: you can not miss direct light. It resists frost well down to -18ºC.
Night Lady
This flower that opens at night looks like something out of a fairy tale. It belongs to the cactus known as Dama de noche, whose scientific name is Epiphyllum oxypetalum. It blooms during the summer, during a single afternoon. But, although we will be able to enjoy very little of it, the beauty of it will make up for it.
The 'bad' thing is that it does not resist frost. If the temperature drops below 0 degrees, we will have to protect it, either indoors, or with an anti-frost fabric if it happens that these frosts are very weak (up to -2ºC) and punctual.
Dondiego at night
Image - Wikimedia / Salicyna
What to say about our Dondiego at night? This herbaceous plant, with jalapa mirabilis Scientific name, it is widely cultivated in all areas where climatic conditions are mild. It is very easy to reproduce; so much so that you can choose to sow them directly in the garden. Its flowering season arrives with the summer, giving color to our plant paradise… at night.
With a maximum height of 50 centimeters, it is one of the favorites to have… anywhere: pots, garden. But yes: you can not miss direct light.
Galán at night
Image - Flickr / Mauricio Mercadante
It is undoubtedly one of the best known and most cultivated night flowers. The Galán at night It is a shrub, whose scientific name is Chester nighttime, which although it is sensitive to frost, has beautiful white flowers that give off a pleasant aroma which can be felt up to a distance of one hundred meters. There is nothing.
It is widely grown in gardens and in pots, as it is very adaptable. It tolerates pruning, and does not need complicated care. In addition, it supports up to -7ºC.
Rafflesia
Image – Wikimedia/Henrik Ishihara
La Rafflesia It is a parasitic plant, but despite its behavior I have wanted to add it to this list because it is very curious. This genus of plants holds the record for having the heaviest flower in the world: nothing more and nothing less than 11kg. It measures up to a meter in diameter, and gives off an odor that… well, it's not very pleasant for us, but flies love it.
It grows in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, such as those of Malaysia or Borneo, under the shade of plants much larger than itself.
Selenicereus grandiflorus
Image – Wikimedia/Franz
El Selenicereus grandiflorus It is an epiphytic cactus that we call lady of the night, but to differentiate it from the shrub that also receives that name, I have preferred to call it by its scientific name, and thus avoid confusion. It grows in tropical America, such as Mexico and the Greater Antilles. It can measure up to 12 meters in height, and Produces large, highly fragrant white flowers.
Unlike other cacti, this one prefers an exposure somewhat protected from direct sun, since otherwise it could burn. Likewise, it is necessary to take into account that it does not support waterlogging, so it is preferable to let the soil dry between one irrigation and the next. And if there is frost, it will be better to put it in a greenhouse or indoors.
Durian
Image - Wikimedia / Mokkie
His scientific name is durio zibethinus, and It has very beautiful white flowers, which open at the end of the night. It is a tropical tree well known for its fruit, the durian, which they say once you try it two things can happen: either you love it, or quite the opposite.
It is a very, very cold-sensitive plant, so it can only be grown outside in climates where temperatures stay above 15 degrees Celsius.
Zaluzianskya capensis
Image - Wikimedia / Karen Pagel
This is a highly branched perennial herb that the English call nocturnal phlox, although it is actually completely unrelated to the plants of the genus Phlox. It reaches a height of about 40 centimeters, and has flowers that open at night and remain open until the middle of the day.
It needs a lot of light, so it is important that it is placed in a sunny place, or at least in semi-shade. Also, you should keep in mind that it supports temperatures of up to -7ºC.
What are the flowers of the night that you liked the most?
I tell you the lady at night is beautiful, she releases a spectacular perfume, her flower is really beautiful every time it blooms I wait for her flowers to open to amaze my sight with those beauties, and I wanted to cut that bush because it never flowered now, no I want them to touch it, it is one of my favorites ...
She is very pretty 🙂