Bloom Night 2025

Another Bloom Night has come and gone, and what a beautiful night it was. The 218 members who joined us to witness the Queen of the Night in bloom were treated to a truly spectacular show.

This year’s bloom took us by surprise. A burst of rain at the end of May spurred rapid bud growth, resulting in a Bloom Night nearly 20 days earlier than the previous year. As always, the Queens follow their own schedule, and we’re grateful for the careful observation and preparation by our gardens team, whose expertise allowed us to predict the bloom with precision and open our gates in time to share the magic with our members.

Under the light of an almost-full moon, 28 Peniocereus greggii flowers unfurled their luminous petals. We were, once again, in awe of the subtle variations in each bloom’s size, color, and scent. After 32 years of Bloom Night, we’ve come to recognize the distinct “personalities” of our Queens, and each one continues to surprise and inspire us.

Caring for a Living Collection

We’re deeply thankful to all who attended, and to the members whose continued support makes events like this possible. Your generosity helps us conserve and care for Tohono Chul’s 49 acres of desert beauty, and allows us to protect the delicate ecosystems that make this place so special.

If you’d like to explore more of our plant collection—including the exact locations of our Queen of the Night cacti—you can now do so online through our plant database on Hortis. Thanks to the dedicated work of Juliana Ahumada, our Living Collections Coordinator, thousands of plants across our gardens are mapped and documented, making it easier than ever to stay connected to the desert even after the bloom has faded.

Help Support Bloom Night’s Future

Each Queen of the Night bloom is a fleeting moment of wonder, and we want more people to experience its magic in the years to come. We’re working to double our collection of Peniocereus greggii, and we need your help to make it happen.

Your gift will support our goal to raise $5,000 to care for seedlings, expand our plantings, and continue research on this incredible desert species. If Bloom Night moved you, inspired you, or left you in awe, please consider making a donation to help us secure the future of this unforgettable event.