Echinopsis candicans

Echinopsis candicans

Echinopsis candicans, known as Argentine Giant, produces fragrant nocturnal flowers that are up to eight inches in diameter. Since I’m not an early riser, I missed this flower when it was at its peak. You can see in the photo that the “bloom is off the rose” so to speak.

The short-lived flowers usually bloom at dusk until dawn, then wilt by mid-morning. However, last year, this cactus flowered in late March and the 12 flowers lasted almost four days. The early flowering in cooler weather must have been the reason for the longer life of all those flowers. Such a flowering habit is rare.


The large, fragrant white night-blooming flowers are the perfect draw for night pollinators such as bats and hawk moths, who locate the flowers by their light color and fragrance. I’ve never seen any bats, but the moths are abundant.


The E. candicans is a clumping cactus that grows to about three feet. Mine is approaching that height, and it will continue to produce new heads until the cactus is six or seven feet wide. It takes full sun and little water.

To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time
~ Robert Herrick

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may go marry:
For having lost but once your prime
You may for ever tarry.