Harrisia jusberti is a night-blooming Cereus commonly known  as "Queen of the night"
It is a nice columnar cactus that produces huge nocturnal white flowers from spring to autumn. 
 

Harrisia jusbertii is considered one of the best stock to use for grafting valuable species and cultivars of cacti.

Description: Harrisia jusberti is a columnar cactus that forms small scrubs with few branches, mostly erect.
Stem: up to 6 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 5 or 6
Spines: About 7, very short.
Areoles: 2 cm apart
Flowers: Large white, with brownish green outer petals, 18 cm long.
Blooming season: This species produces abundant blossoms that open nocturnally from spring to autumn.
Fruit: The fruits are rarely seen in cultivation, since the species is self-sterile, and most plants – even from different sources - might be coming from the same clone

H. jusbertii is considered by some to possibly be an intergenic hybrid between Harrisia sp., probably H. pomanensis, and Echinopsis eyriesii rather than a pure species.

Cultivation: This species presents no problems in cultivation and will do well in a sunny spot in a cactus house. These plants will not tolerate extended periods of frost;  they can survive to a minimum temperature of -4°C. The monstrous form is more frost-sensitive and should not be at less than -4°C . Grow them in rich, porous, sandy soil and let their soil dry out between waterings. If potted, repot in the spring if their roots become cramped. Generally, they should be repotted every other year in order to provide fresh soil. However, this doesn't necessarily mean they'll need larger containers. Fill about a quarter of the pot with broken crocks, gravel, etc. to promote good drainage. After repotting, do not water for a week or more.

Multiplication: Harrisia jusbertii can be increased by seeds or cuttings.  Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in the spring and summer, Cut the stem with a sharp, sterile knife just above a bud or shoot (a 7-10cm long tip or branch is most suitable for propagation) Leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the callus forms, the cutting may be inserted into a container filled with firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit. They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks.

Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Scientific name:  Harrisia jusbertii (K. Schum.) Britton & Rose

Origin: Unknown, maybe Argentina or Paraguay.  

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

• Eriocereus jusbertii (K. Schum.) Riccob.
• Harrisia 'Jusbertii' (Rebut ex K.Schum.) Borg
• Harrisia bonplandii
• Cereus jusbertii

Harrisia bonplandii is not valid a synonym of this plant, it is instead a synonym of Harrisia pomanensis.


A magnificent flower with a diameter of 18 cm.

USE: Harrisia jusbertii forms long columns that are great for grafting valuable species of cacti and - differently from other common grafting stock - don’t induces plants to elongate out of character and produce weak spination. The scions on Harrisia don’t grow as fast as the ones grafted on other tender and stronger stock, but they prosper very easy and can be kept in dark and cold places in winter. It can easily endure some light frost, too.