The holiday season has here, which not only calls for decorations but also festive plants! At this time of year, there are many lovely holiday plants to pick from, whether they are bought from a florist, nursery, or are grown at home. The Christmas cactus is one of the most popular plants to give or receive at this time of year. Or is it a Thanksgiving or Easter cactus?
The three cacti differ from one another in terms of how their leaves are shaped. The edges of the leaves of the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumgera truncata) are very sharply pointed and shaped like claws. The leaf projections of the Christmas cactus (Schlumgera bridgesti) are more scalloped or teardrop shaped. The edges of the leaves of the Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertnerrii) are extremely rounded and centered.
These three cacti are all classified as short-day plants. Therefore, the plant needs low temperatures and 12–24 hours of darkness in order to bloom. If you overwintered your plant outside or bought it from a florist or nursery, you should keep it in a cold, dark place until the buds appear. The optimum location is an infrequently used bedroom or lower level. The Easter cactus gets its name from the fact that it takes 8–12 weeks of short days to bloom as opposed to the Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti’s roughly six weeks. It can be brought into a warmer environment once the buds start to form for your enjoyment. At this stage, a plant may occasionally start to lose its buds. That might be caused by air currents, warm temperatures, an abundance of water, or direct sunlight. Bright light is good for the plants, but not direct sunlight. Before watering, the soil should be completely dry to one inch below the surface. Fertilizing or repotting shouldn’t be done when the plant is in bloom. The plants appear to thrive when they are root-bound.
You might see the Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus bloom once more in the spring, though perhaps not as lavishly as over the holiday season. Simply restore the plant to its short day settings to promote springtime blooming.
Unless they are overwatered, these plants are generally disease-free. If the plant turns crimson, there is either too much sun, not enough phosphorus, or not enough water. There are rumors of plants that have been passed down from generation to generation for more than a century. Take advantage of these easygoing holiday plants and establish a new gardening custom. Call the Linn County Master Gardener Hortline at 319-447-0647 with any and all of your gardening inquiries.
What distinguishes a Christmas cactus from a Thanksgiving cactus, an Easter cactus, etc.?
The leaves of the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) have sharp protrusions that resemble crab claws. The leaves of the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesti) have rounded or teardrop-shaped projections. The leaves of the Easter cactus (Schlumbergera gaertnerrii) have rounded edges.
Can a Christmas-blooming Easter cactus bloom?
The Easter cactus belongs to the Rhipsalidopsis family, while the Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti are Schlumbergera family members. The Easter cactus originates from dry forests, whereas the Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti are from Brazilian rainforests.
Around the time of the winter holidays, Christmas cacti blossom. Late winter to early spring is when the Easter cactus blooms. Both varieties have segments, which are flattened stems with marginally serrated edges. Actually, the segments are the plant’s leaves.
What three varieties of Christmas cacti are there?
Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, and Easter cactus are the three popular holiday cacti, each of which is called after the season in which its blooms occur. All three are straightforward to cultivate and have comparable growth patterns and maintenance needs.
Today’s holiday cactus variations are available in magenta, pink, scarlet, as well as yellow, white, orange, purple, salmon, and apricot, however these well-known cacti are typically only available in red-hued hues. The Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti are tropical rain forest species, while the Easter cactus is indigenous to Brazil’s natural woods. All three are endemic to Brazil.
Easter cactus—does it even exist?
You recently talked about Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti. Could you elaborate on the Easter cactus, the third plant you mentioned?
In addition to the previously mentioned Thanksgiving and Christmas species, an Easter cactus is sometimes referred to as a spring cactus, Rhipsalidopsis gaetneri, or Hatiora gaetneri. Easter cacti often bloom in the spring, close to Easter, in honor of their namesake.
All of the holiday cacti are native to South America’s tropics, where they can be found growing on trees in their natural state. Because of this, they all go by the label “jungle cactus” in addition to “holiday cacti.”
There are ways to distinguish an Easter cactus from the other holiday kinds despite how similar they are. The season of blooming is one simple technique to identify the species. Easter cactus flower in the spring, with flower buds first appearing in February and blooming from March until May. Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti often bloom one month earlier than Christmas cacti in the late fall or early winter.
Examining the edges of the leaf segments of the holiday cactus is another way to distinguish them, in addition to their various bloom seasons. Easter cacti are distinguished by the bristles that can be seen on the margins of their leaf segments. In the previous piece, I mentioned that Christmas cactus have smooth, round edges and Thanksgiving cacti have pointed, jagged ones. The spring variety’s flowers have a more star-like appearance, but they still have the vibrant hues that are common to all three species: reds, pinks, and purples, with some cultivars also showing a completely white blossom.
The same growing parameters apply to all holiday plants, which are shorter days, longer stretches of uninterrupted darkness to encourage flowering, and well-drained soil. One thing to think about is how much water they require, especially with Easter cacti. Overwatering can seriously harm plants and is especially harmful to Easter species. Prior to watering the plant, make sure the soil in the pot is dry.
All three offer stunning displays of vibrant, tropical beauty, sure to spread a little festive cheer throughout the holiday seasons, whether you select an Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving cactus. With the Spring Gardening Digital Value Pack, you can be sure that your garden will flourish in the spring.
With help from the Smart Gardening Techniques: Houseplants and Houseplants 2 book, learn how to maintain your indoor plants in good health.
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Have more inquiries about how to recognize plants? You can confidently name plants with the help of The A to Z of Plant Names.
In Succulent Container Gardens, you may learn how to maintain lovely succulent plants, including other cacti, as stunning container gardens.
Do succulents include Easter cacti?
The Easter Cactus, also known as the Spring Cactus, blooms in a variety of bright colors from March till May. Their several-week-long, star-shaped flowers open at dawn and close at dusk. In the forests of eastern Brazil, Easter Cacti are native epiphytes that grow in the branches of the trees. Knowing a plant’s natural environment is beneficial since it gives the gardener advice on how to grow the plant successfully.
Natural Adjustment Due to their propensity to epiphytic life, Easter Cacti make wonderful indoor plants. Their capacity to develop in trees in their natural habitat is strongly tied to their capacity to thrive in partial sunlight and dry conditions. Sometimes it’s even a good thing to ignore your Easter cactus.
Particular Qualities Easter Cactus has segments of flat, succulent leaves. They freely branch, becoming a full specimen of a plant with glossy, leathery leaves.
Methods for Blooming Dry soil and chilly temperatures in the early winter trigger floral bud set, which occurs in the spring (around Easter). To prevent the plant from shriveling up as fall approaches, often in October, soil moisture should be decreased with only infrequent watering.
Additionally, a chilly phase is required, with nighttime lows in the high 50s to just above freezing for a few months. Later in the fall, you may either keep the plants indoors next to your coolest window or leave them outside (just make sure it’s still above freezing). To encourage floral bud set, it is necessary to drop nighttime temperatures below 60F for a few months.
Watering The dry season must last until the buds are evident because bud production often begins after the first of the year. The plants switch into their growth cycle once flowering is over and the days start to become longer and warmer. At this point, fertilizer can be added and watering is increased. Bring the soil to almost complete dryness between waterings, as you would with most succulents, and then thoroughly moisten the potting soil.
Fertilizer When you water, you can apply fertilizer in a soluble form using a balanced composition, such as 5-7-3 or 10-10-10. Or, you might use an organic granular fertilizer as a topdressing to plants. They are moderate feeders, but when fed often during the summer, they will respond with plentiful growth.
When to Repot Once flowering is ended, plants can be replanted. Use a potting mix that is well-drained and has good air porosity, much like you would for any succulent or cactus.
Pruning After flowering, prune. Trim back the outer leaflets symmetrically over the plant once it has grown to the appropriate size and filled out the largest pot. This will minimize the plant’s overall size and volume.
Insects Easter Cactus typically don’t have any issues with insects. Mealybug and scale can harm plants, but they are not the preferred food source, and it usually takes an infected plant nearby to cause a problem.
Problem solving A damp, heavy potting mix is the main cause of stem and root rot in Easter Cactus culture. The majority of soilless or peat lite mixtures work well, and if the mixture looks a little heavy, you can add more perlite. For usage with cacti and succulents, there are specialized cactus soils available. Growing your Easter Cactus in a clay pot will improve soil aeration and hasten the potting mix’s drying out process. Typically, this stops stem and root rot.
Easter Cactus Collection from Logee Check out our unique Easter Cactus Collection if you want to bring some springtime color into your house. These cacti bloom profusely with vibrant flowers from March through May:
To find out more about the Spring/Easter Cactus plants described in this article, click on the links below:
Are Christmas and spring cacti the same thing?
The Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti have different leaves but the same flowers, as was already described. Easter cacti, on the other hand, have leaf margins that are smoother and devoid of notches and require a considerably longer cool and low light period in order to flower. Easter cactus plants have flat, star-shaped flowers that are simple to distinguish from the elongated blooms of the other holiday cacti.
Purple-brown anthers hang from the drooping flowers of the Christmas cactus. The blooms of the Thanksgiving cactus feature yellow anthers and develop parallel to the stalks.
All three plants have different hues, although red to fuchsia are the most typical. They come in white, orange, and yellow as well. No matter what they are called, holiday cactus are rather simple to grow and will bloom every year if they have their low temperature, low light period.
Is Easter cactus the same as spring cactus?
Holiday cacti, like the Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus, are among the most well-liked, distinctive, and lovely houseplants. They require little maintenance, and it’s magical when those small blooms bloom during the holidays. However, did you know that there is also an Easter cactus that bears bright, cheery blooms? The spring cactus, also known as the Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri, originally Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri), has flowers that normally bloom—you got it—in spring, around Easter. The magnificent star-shaped blooms come in a variety of colors—brilliant orange, violet, fuchsia, white, or red—to brighten your home just when you need it. They bloom at sunrise and close at nightfall.
How is an Easter cactus maintained?
You might be startled to learn that there is an Easter cactus that blooms in the spring after spending years encouraging a Christmas cactus to do so on time. I know I was when I stumbled upon a tiny potted plant in a nearby nursery that had adorable, tiny flower buds.
The Easter cactus, also known as Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri by knowledgeable horticulturists, is distinct from its relatives the Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus mostly due to the season in which it blooms and the nature of its leaves. They can be picky, demanding, and resistant when it comes to flowering on command until their expectations are met, yet these various plants also share a lot in common.
Care and Feeding: To get the Easter cactus to bloom on schedule, place it in an area where daily and nighttime temperatures vary by as much as 20 degrees. It will grow in bright, indirect light (sun or shade). Give it a balanced fertilizer twice a month and water it when the soil seems dry to the touch.
Design Advice: Match a white Easter cactus with a creamy-colored planter that matches its flower buds in hue. My-shaped Ben Wolff White Clay Pot with Saucer costs $62.50.
Easter cactus won’t bloom again until the following spring when its current flowering period is over. If it’s root-bound, you can repot it in the interim, and you can prune it anyway you like.
Our curated list of Houseplants 101 has further suggestions for indoor gardening. Don’t miss:
What distinguishes Christmas cactus from counterfeit Christmas cactus?
My mother used to refer to her Christmas cactus as a Thanksgiving cactus since it would be fully bloomed by the end of November when I was a child. I was a good boy and never questioned or challenged Mom. Mom was correct, and that was twenty or so years and a couple advanced degrees later. Schlumbergera truncata, the well-liked plant that is currently showing up in garden centers for the holiday season, is also known as the Thanksgiving or false Christmas cactus.
We must delve farther into the passionate love affair with the Christmas cactus in order to overcome this deceit. When we turn the clock 177 years back to 1840s England, we find William Buckley, a committed gardener, and his experiment of a Schlumbergera hybrid between two species. He combined S. truncata with S. russelliana to produce the S. x buckleyi hybrid, which was known as the real Christmas cactus. As you read this at home, you might be tempted to quickly explore the internet. If you do, you might find some outdated literature that refers to this cross incorrectly as S. bridgesii, which would add another degree of dishonesty. There are certainly some older works of literature that use Zygocactus as the genus.
You need to know a few more things at this point because you are horrifiedly staring at your fake Christmas cactus and unsure of where to look for the real one. You need to know a little bit about botany and it is difficult to pick out the imposters. The Schlumbergera’s “leaves” are actually flattened stalks known as cladophyll (phylloclades by some botanist). The faux Christmas cactus will have stems with an open branch habit and soft points or teeth around the borders. These points are simply a part of the stem that is heavily lobed; they are not spines. False Christmas cactus flowers will be cheerful and vibrant in hues of pink, white, peach, and salmon. They will be held for around 5 to 7 days at the tip of the stems, pointing slightly upward. Additionally, the blossoms will appear somewhat horizontal or flat. The stems of the genuine Christmas cactus will significantly arch downward and have a closed habit. The stems will have rounded edges with tiny, discernible points or nubs. The blossoms of a genuine Christmas cactus will be more spherical than those of an impostor, point downward, and follow the stem’s orientation. Reds, pinks, and carmine will be the colors.
You might come across the Easter cactus Rhipsalidopsis gaeteneri, a close relative of Schlumbergera as you go out on your quest to find the genuine Christmas cactus. You’ll be relieved to learn that they are rarely provided and have little financial significance in the garden retail sector. Additionally, as their name suggests, they bloom in the spring. However, if you do come upon one, what’s another plant, right?
Last but not least, I’m sure you read this article and only glanced at the genus name since, like me, you find it difficult to say (shlum-BER-ger-uh), and I doubt that did anything to assist. Just some quick information The Cactaceae family of real cactus includes the Schlumbergera, which thrives in environments that we typically do not connect with cacti. They inhabit trees like orchids and are found deep within South America’s tropical rainforest.
Wishing you luck on your exploration and do let me know if you add a genuine Christmas cactus to your collection.