Disocactus phyllanthoides, the nopalxochitl or German empress, is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae.

Flowers campanulate, funnel-shaped, diurnal and scentless,[a] 8–10 cm long, 7–9 cm wide, produced on year-old branches; pericarpel ovate with a few spreading bracteoles; entire receptacle 2.5–5 cm long, 7–10 mm thick; bracteoles more numerous than on the pericarpel, reflexed, green to blackish purple, naked in their axils; outer tepals lanceolate, opening irregularly before flowering, then spreading widely, rose-pink; inner tepals lanceolate-obtuse, more or less erect, pink, paler inside; stamens declinate, as long as the tepals, white; style as long as tepals, white, stigma lobes 5–7.

A distinct species related to Disocactus ackermannii, D. phyllanthoides has previously been placed in Nopalxochia, but the generic status for that taxon does not have much support.

This species is endemic to Mexico and known from cloud forest in the states of Puebla and Veracruz at elevations of 1,500–1,850 m (4,920–6,070 ft) above sea level.

Under its synonym Nopalxochia phyllanthoides this plant has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Sims and Edwards state that it was discovered by the celebrated travellers Humboldt and Bonpland in April 1801, near the small village of Turbaco, near Cartagena, Colombia.

Together with Disocactus speciosus and Epiphyllum crenatum it forms the great trio behind the huge group of orchid cacti known today.