Queen of the night

Queen of the Night (Selenicerus grandiflorus)
Queen of the Night - Selenicerus grandiflorus
© Egon Krogsgaard
Time-lapse video of Queen of the Night flowers blooming.
Queen of the Night in full bloom.
Queen of the Night in full bloom. Notice the many white perianth segments that surround the yellow stamens and the style with its star‑shaped stigma.
© Egon Krogsgaard

Queen of the night blooms during the night, hence the name. The flowers open after sunset and wither before dawn. Thus each flower lasts only one single night.

The flowers are large and trumpet shaped. They are white inside and orange-brown on the outside.

Watch the time-lapse video of the Queen of night blooming in the Greenhouses. The video is recorded between sunset and sunrise.


Fact box:

  • Greenhouse location: Desert House
  • Danish name: Nattens dronning
  • Latin name: Selenicereus grandiflorus
  • Family: Cactus family / Cactaceae
  • Natural habitat: Mexico and the Caribbean

Learn more about other plants here.