One of the most vibrant flowering houseplants is the Christmas cactus. When the days become shorter, this low-maintenance plant blooms and puts on a spectacular display over the holiday season. Christmas cacti come in a broad range of hues, including pink, red, crimson, orange, gold, cream, and white, as well as bicolors, in which a single flower displays many hues simultaneously.
This easy-to-grow flowering houseplant has been a beloved holiday decoration for many years. In fact, a lovely Christmas cactus has evolved into something of a family heirloom, being handed down down the decades.
Christmas cacti are magnificent holiday plants when they are in bloom, with their vibrant flowers shining like diamonds at the ends of their stems. Christmas cacti display jagged foliage when not in flower the rest of the year, lending credence to one of their other common names, crab cactus.
Nota: The Christmas cactus is sometimes referred to as the Thanksgiving or zygo cactus.
Questions about Christmas Cactus? Send us an email if you have any inquiries concerning your Christmas cactus. An expert from our team will be pleased to attempt to assist!
Christmas Cactus Growing Instructions
For the most blooms, grow Christmas cacti in direct sunlight. It may also grow in low or medium light, however the darker it gets, the less blossoms this beautiful houseplant produces. Christmas cacti can tolerate direct sunlight on their leaves inside.
Water Christmas cactus when the top inch or two of the potting mix dries out. In comparison to fall and winter, spring and summer are when it prefers a little more water.
Christmas cactus should be fertilized with a houseplant-specific fertilizer in the spring and early summer. For information on how much fertilizer to use and how frequently to apply it, refer to the instructions on the product container.
Christmas cactus requires ordinary to high humidity because it is native to tropical rainforests. While Christmas cactus can handle low humidity levels, you might discover that it thrives and blooms more when the humidity is higher.
The Christmas cactus thrives at ordinary temperatures, although milder fall temps of roughly 55F (13C) can encourage it to bloom.
How many different shades of Christmas cactus are there?
Did you know that there are cactus for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter? The key variations between various holiday cacti are listed below, along with advice on how to take care of your cactus so that it continues to bloom.
Brazilian forest cacti are the parent species of holiday cacti like the Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, and Easter cactus. The names of the holidays correspond to the several North American cacti’s blooming seasons!
The Easter cactus is in the genus Rhipsalidopsis, which grows in dry woodlands, while the Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti are Schlumbergera species.
Christmas Cactus
The resilient plant that our grandmothers raised is called the Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii). I have a plant that came from one my mother-in-law nurtured from a cutting she received almost 70 years ago! They are the ultimate pass-along plant since they are so easy to root. Simply cut a bit of one of the branches in the shape of a “Y” and place it in a pot of sterile soil or vermiculite. It will quickly begin to root.
Thanksgiving Cactus
The Schlumbergera truncata, sometimes known as the “Thanksgiving Cactus,” blooms normally from mid-November to late December and occasionally even into January. It gets its common name “crab cactus” from the shape of its square leaf segments, which have pincer-like hooks on one end and along the edges. It is indigenous to Brazil, where hummingbirds pollinate its 2 to 3 inch long, satiny blossoms.
Easter Cactus
It may very possibly be an Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri), which blooms in late winter and spring, often from March to May, if you discover that your holiday cactus has spring flowers.
The Easter Cactus, also known as a “Spring Cactus, features trumpet-shaped, flaring flowers with pointed petals that are typically pink but can also be red, orange, and other cherry colors. Their several-week-long star-shaped petals have an opening at dawn and a closing at dusk. They have segments of flat, succulent leaves.
More Ways to Tell a Christmas Cactus from a Thanksgiving Cactus
A large portion of the plants for sale are hybrid crosses of the Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti (Schlumbergera x buckleyi), which come in a wide spectrum of exotic hues like orange, purple, yellow, red, pink, white, and two-tones.
Look at the flower’s bloom color and flowering pattern:
- The magenta-hued hanging blossoms of the Christmas cactus bloom naturally close to Christmas. Late November until early February is when flowers typically begin to bloom.
- The Thanksgiving cactus comes in a variety of hues and has flowers that face outward. Compared to the Christmas cactus, this plant blooms closer to Thanksgiving. Very late in October or early November, it may begin to bloom.
Additionally, they have various stems:
- The flattened stem segments of the genuine Christmas cactus have smooth, scalloped edges.
- The stem of the Thanksgiving cactus bears two to four sharp teeth.
- The Thanksgiving cactus has stems that initially grow straight before arching, in contrast to the Christmas cactus, whose stems dangle down like pendents.
Because it blooms around the time of the American Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving cacti are what are typically sold in nurseries and retail establishments. The Christmas cactus is also more challenging to export since the stems are more brittle and frequently break.
Caring For Your Holiday Cactus
The holiday cactus is a unique kind of the plant. The Christmas plant, unlike the desert cactus that we are all know with, is an epiphyte that thrives in decaying leaf litter on the branches and in the forks of trees in tropical rain forests in South America.
- Even though the conditions in our homes are nothing like those in the natural rainforest where they live, they are perfectly fine at the typical household temperature of 65 to 70F, with a decrease to 55 to 60F at night. When it is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, they will require protection.
- You should offer these cactus acidic, well-draining soils because they prefer their forest floor. Add perlite, vermiculite, and orchid bark to a cactus mixture.
- They want bright light but not direct sunlight, so a window facing east or west works best. It indicates too much light if the leaves become yellow. Keep them behind a shade tree or patio if you place them outside during the warmer months. not in direct sunlight.
- Water the plants when the top 2 inches of the soil feel dry, allowing them to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering; this is the main cause of their death in our houses. Overwatering is better than neglect! To determine when to water, you could purchase a hydrometer. Keep them out of the water; if they become too soaked, they will rot.
- Frequent misting of the plants increases humidity.
- Optional: Use an all-purpose fertilizer, such as Miracle Grow Tomato water-soluble fertilizer, to fertilize them (1 tablespoon to a gallon of non-chlorinated water). Feed the plant while it is actively developing twice a month (usually spring and summer).
How to Keep Holiday Cactus Blooming
Short days and mild nights are the secret to making your holiday cactus bloom. Before they will begin to set buds, they require 13 hours of darkness and nights that are between 50 and 55 degrees for at least a month or two. Some of my plants spend the summer outside, and I don’t bring them inside for the fall and winter until the temperatures start to dip below 50 degrees. They typically develop a bud right away and then begin to bloom. The plants that I have growing in my kitchen need no particular care, and they still thrive. Why, yes!
Only repot the plants if they are really crowded because they flower best when they are slightly potbound. Don’t be hesitant to bring one home for the holidays because they are non-toxic to cats and dogs, unlike many festive plants.
What shade ought to be on a Christmas cactus?
The Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, and Easter Cactus are the three most popular holiday cacti. Certain names were given to them because they bloomed during these festivals.
Brazil is the native home of all three plants. They are known as epiphytes and they grow on trees. Nowadays, you may get Christmas cactus with blooms of yellow, purple, orange, apricot, salmon, and white instead of the traditional pink, scarlet, and magenta.
The flat, chubby branches that support the blooms are called leaves, and this are how cacti are distinguished from other plants. The Thanksgiving cactus, commonly referred to as the lobster cactus, has leaves with hooked edges that resemble claws. The edges of Christmas cactus leaves are smoother and narrower than those of Thanksgiving cactus leaves. The leaves of the Easter cactus resemble bristles.
Since they are not drought-tolerant like regular cactus, all of the holiday cacti require routine watering. When a plant is growing, watering is required whenever the soil’s surface is dry. However, they shouldn’t be submerged, so make sure the pots drain correctly.
Cacti enter a period of dormancy after they flower, during which you can water them less frequently. This time of relative dryness is extremely important for the Easter cactus. However, you must begin watering whenever you notice fresh growth.
Your holiday cacti should be kept in a cool location, ideally between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They favor gloomy nights.
If your holiday cacti have a Y-shaped stem and it has two to five segments, you may easily distribute them by breaking off a piece of them. The stem should stay on the counter. The stem can be placed in a pot with a drainage hole once the cut end develops a callus. Put some sand and sterile potting soil in the pot. Give the stem time to take root, and soon you’ll have another holiday cactus flowering.
The Christmas Cactus
Schlumbergera bridgesii is the name given to the Christmas cactus in scientific terminology. The plant has a very long lifespan, and many people propagate the stems to pass the same plant on to subsequent generations.
From late November to early February, the Christmas Cactus blooms, and its blossoms hang down. Typically, the flowers are crimson, white, or yellow. It has purple-brown anthers and symmetrical blooms that are uniformly spaced throughout the flower tubes. The plants function best in a hanging basket because they drop down.
The Thanksgiving Cactus
Schlumbergera truncata is the formal name for the Thanksgiving catcus. The square, pincer-edged leaves give this plant its common name of “crab cactus” or “lobster cactus.” Its two to three inch long satiny flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds.
Between mid-Thanksgiving and late December, and occasionally in January, the Thanksgiving cactus blooms. When compared to the Christmas cactus, the blossoms spread slightly farther to the side. The flowers have yellow anthers and appear in a variety of colors, including white, red, and pink. Thanksgiving cactus blooms, in contrast to Christmas cactus flowers, are asymmetrical and develop horizontally from the tips of stem segment.
The Easter Cactus
Hatiora gaertneri is the official scientific name for the Easter cactus. The trumpet-like, flaring flowers have pointed, pink, red, and red petals. The plant occasionally blooms again in the fall around Halloween, but often it blooms in the spring in April and May.
These flowers, which come in a variety of colors including red, pink, and royal purple, are noticeably more vibrant than those on the Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus.
Of all the holiday cacti, the Easter cactus is the most challenging to grow and maintain. It cannot receive too much water. It cannot be submerged, either. It will lose its phylloclades if it becomes just a touch too dry. A soil moisture meter is something you should buy if you have an Easter cactus. Otherwise, your Easter cactus might never blossom.
What three varieties of Christmas cacti are there?
It’s time to party, have fun, and be merry during the holidays. As a result, this is a season associated with decorations. We make an effort to make our homes appear better overall, whether we’re talking about Christmas or any other holiday. What better way to accomplish this than by utilizing eye-catching plants like the Christmas cactus? Christmas cacti, sometimes referred to as holiday cacti, are popular seasonal plants that come in many varieties based on their growth patterns and blooming seasons.
Which of the following three Christmas cacti can you plant indoors? There are three primary varieties of Christmas cactus (holiday cactus): Schlumbergera truncata, Schumbelgera bridgesii, and Rhipsalidopsis gaertnerii. These three varieties of holiday cactus differ from one another in terms of leaf shape and flowering season. While Schlumbergera truncata possesses clear-cut, notably pointed edge projections, Rhipsalidopsis gaertnerii has distinctly rounded edges. On the other hand, the Schumbelgera bridgesii has leaf projections that are teardrop-shaped or scalloped.
This article aims to deconstruct the distinctive qualities and traits of the numerous kinds of Christmas or festive cacti. It will consider their development patterns, habitat needs, and flowering times.
Is there a Christmas cactus that is purple?
Christmas Cactus thrives in climates with daytime highs of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and evening lows of 60 to 65 degrees.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Although experts concur that fertilizer Christmas Cactus shouldn’t be done during bloom season and the weeks preceding it, neglecting to feed it properly the rest of the year can lead to problems like discolored foliage.
From April through October, you may help keep the foliage on your Christmas Cactus from becoming purple by using a standard all-purpose fertilizer twice a month.
Because Christmas Cactus requires more magnesium than the ordinary plant, you should apply a teaspoon of Epsom salts every other week. In October, stop fertilizing completely to encourage blooming during the holiday season.
What kind of Christmas cactus do I have, and how do I know?
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.