Queen Of The Night Bloom Watch - Discover Marana

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A Rare Desert Spectacle

CreditK Wright

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Queen of the Night Share

This mysterious and majestic cactus flower blooms for only one night a year.

For 364 nights out of the year, the Night Blooming Cereus cactus (Peniocereus greggi) looks like a pile of dead, gray vines.

Where to Find Queen of the Night Flowers When Will They Bloom? Why Do They All Bloom at Once? Does the Bloom Have Cultural Significance? Things to Know Is this the Same Flower in the Film Crazy Rich Asians? Learn More

However, at the beginning of the summer, the Southern Arizona heat triggers these ordinary, mundane cacti to simultaneously bloom with beautiful flowers, which are commonly referred to as the Queen of the Night.

These flowers only last a single night and begin to wilt as soon as the morning sunlight hits them. This mass bloom event occupies a special place in the hearts and imaginations of many in Southern Arizona.

PicturedTwo Queen of the Night blooms against a beautiful sky.

Queen of The Night 2025 Bloom

The bloom came early for 2025; an early shower may have contributed to it. This year, it spread its buds on June 9, 2025.

These images were captured the evening of in Marana, AZ, courtesy of Karen McCrorey.

CreditKaren McCrorey (@thecuriousdesert) 06/09/25

Where Can I Find the Queen of the Night Flowers?

Although they can be found in warmer climates all over the world, the Night-Blooming Cereus is native to southwestern North America. Today, Tohono Chul Park, located in Oro Valley, is home to the world's largest collection of these cacti. Every year, people wait anxiously and patiently for Bloom Night!

The Night Blooming Cereus can also be naturally found in sandy soils, on the banks of washes, or on hill slopes, shaded by desert shrubs or by trees. Each cluster of cacti blooms simultaneously. Blooms at different locations will most likely happen on different nights.

How Do They Know When the Flowers Will Bloom?

In short, there is no precise way to determine when the Queens of the Night will make their appearance. Bloom Night typically happens between Mid-June to Mid-July, but that's as precise as it gets.

Shortly before blooming, the cacti will sprout buds, which eventually become the flowers. Tohono Chul publishes updates via an email newsletter, as well as on social media, about when they are expecting the flowers to bloom. They usually can't predict that the blooms will occur until the day of, so you may only have a few hours' notice.

Note: you must be a member of Tohono Chul to attend this event. Memberships start at $50 for individuals.

Why Do They All Bloom at Once?

The Night-Blooming Cereus is unable to self-pollinate, therefore, all the plants within a particular area must bloom at the same time, to provide the greatest chance for cross-pollination.

Scientists think that the cacti use some form of chemical communication to synchronize the blooms!

CreditHailey Eisenbach

Does the Bloom Have Cultural Significance?

In addition to being a highlight of the summer for many in Southern Arizona, the bloom also holds a significant place in Tohono O’odham storytelling and heritage. The Queen of the Night has also inspired songs, paintings, photographs, and a perfume (the flower is known to be highly aromatic).

What Do I Need to Know if I Go See the Bloom?

In order to receive updates on the Queen of the Night and to be notified when they are blooming, sign up for the Bloom Watch newsletter on Tohono Chul's website, and follow their social media accounts. When you're notified that the bloom is happening, make plans to arrive at either park between 5 PM and dusk. Be sure to bring a flashlight, a camera with a flash, plenty of water to drink, and wear closed-toe walking shoes.

The flowers start blooming around 5 PM and are usually in full bloom by dusk. Once there, prepare to be amazed by the sights and smells of the arrival of the Queen of the Night.

Tohono Chul has also hosted early morning visitors the following day before the flowers close. We'll update this story as soon as we know more about the 2025 event plans.

Is this the Same Night Bloomer in the Film Crazy Rich Asians?

It’s not! The flower in the movie Crazy Rich Asians is a Tan Hua plant (Epiphyllum oxypetalum). It also blooms just one night per year and was a central focus of a scene in the 2018 hit movie. The plant has its roots in Mexico and was imported to China in the 1600s. Since that plant is also called the Queen of the Night (along with many other night bloomers) you may have gotten to this article by accident. We hope you’ll fall in love with Marana, Arizona and decide to come for a visit!

Video: Learn more about the Queen of the Night

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