Christmas cactus are normally obtained in late autumn or early winter, when they are already in bloom or have buds. Avoid excessive temperature changes when transporting your Christmas cactus home, since this may cause some buds to fall off. Keep the soil slightly moist and place in a bright window for maximum results. During the winter bloom time, there is no need to fertilize.
Christmas cactus require as much light as possible after the final blooms have faded, and prefer to be kept cool during rest periods.
Where do I find a Christmas cactus?
The Christmas cactus is a popular houseplant for a reason: it’s beautiful! They produce gorgeous, tubular flowers in pink or lilac colors when they bloom. They’re a fantastic plant because of their lovely blossoms, long bloom time, and low maintenance requirements. We’re sure you have a Christmas cactus in your household!
About Christmas Cacti
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) and its cousins do not live in hot, arid conditions like deserts or plains, unlike other cacti. These epiphytic succulents are native to southern Brazil’s tropical rainforests, where they grow on tree branches and absorb the high humidity, dappled sunlight, and moderate temperatures.
The bottom line is that you shouldn’t treat a Christmas cactus like any other cactus or succulent. They can’t withstand the same hot, dry circumstances as other cactus. These cacti require more frequent watering than most succulents, but you must be careful not to overwater them. (For more information, see the thorough care instructions below.)
Thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas Cactus?
Easter cactus (S. gaertneri), Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata), and Christmas cactus are the three primary types of “holiday” cacti (S. x buckleyi). Each holiday cactus blooms closest to the holiday for which it is named. Most “Christmas cacti” offered nowadays, on the other hand, are actually Thanksgiving cacti, which bloom from November to February and hence go unrecognized as Christmas cacti. See our post on the different types of holiday cacti and how to identify them apart for more information.
Note: On this page, we use the word “Christmas cactus” to refer to all three of these species because it is the most generally used term and our care advice applies to all of them!
What is the difference between false Christmas cactus and Christmas cactus?
My mother used to call her Christmas cactus a Thanksgiving cactus because it would be in full bloom by the end of November when I was a kid. I never questioned Mom or tried to correct her since I was a nice son. Mom was correct after twenty years and a few advanced degrees. Schlumbergera truncata, the popular plant that is already arriving in garden centers for the holiday season, is also known as the false Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus.
To overcome this deceit, we must go further into the Christmas cactus’ tumultuous love story. Returning the clock 177 years to 1840s England, we find William Buckley, a passionate gardener, and his experiment with a Schlumbergera hybrid between two species. He crossed S. truncata with S. russelliana to produce the hybrid S. x buckleyi, which became known as the authentic Christmas cactus. While you’re sitting at home reading this, you might be tempted to make some fast internet searches and come across some old literature that incorrectly refers to this cross as S. bridgesii, which adds to the deception. You’ll very certainly come across some older literature that refers to Zygocactus as the genus.
You need to know a few more things now that you’re distraught over your fake Christmas cactus and wondering where to find the real Christmas cactus.
It’s difficult to spot imposters, and you’ll need a basic understanding of botany to do it.
Schlumbergera’s “leaves” are actually flattened stems known as cladophyll (phylloclades by some botanist).
The stems of the faux Christmas cactus will have an open branch habit and soft points or teeth on the borders.
These are not spines, but rather a deeply lobed section of the stem.
False Christmas cactus flowers will be bright and beautiful in pink, white, peach, and salmon tones.
They will be held at the end of the stems, pointing slightly upwards, for approximately 5 to 7 days.
The blossoms will also appear to be horizontal or flat.
True Christmas cactus stems will have a strong downward arch and a closed habit.
The stems’ edges will be rounded, with minor visible nubs or points.
True Christmas cactus blossoms are more rounder than the counterfeit, and they will point down and follow the stem’s orientation.
Carmine, pinks, and reds will be used.
If you’re looking for the actual Christmas cactus, you might come across the Easter cactus Rhipsalidopsis gaeteneri, which is a close cousin of Schlumbergera.
You’ll be relieved to learn that they have no financial value in the garden retail industry and are only occasionally offered.
They also flower in the spring, as the name suggests.
However, if you chance to come upon one, what’s another plant, right?
Finally, I’m sure you read this article and skipped over the genus name since, like me, you can’t pronounce it (shlum-BER-ger-uh), and I doubt it helped much.
a quick piece of knowledge Schlumbergera are a genus of real cacti in the Cactaceae family that grow in environments that aren’t often associated with cactus. They live deep within South America’s tropical rainforest, feeding on orchid-like trees.
Good luck on your journey, and do let me know if you come across a genuine Christmas cactus to add to your collection.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
Place the mature plant in a dark room or keep it covered (under a box or bag works good) for at least 12 hours a day in late September or early October.
What do you do with a Christmas cactus after it blooms?
When thinking about how to care for a Christmas cactus, keep in mind that it enjoys temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees F (15-21 degrees C) and moderate to high humidity levels. Adding more humidity to the home by placing a tray of pebbles filled with water beneath the Christmas cactus pot is a fantastic idea.
Allow the Christmas cactus to begin its dormancy cycle by cutting back on Christmas cactus watering and reducing both light and temperature once all flowering has stopped (typically by fall), or about six to eight weeks before you want the plant to rebloom. Simply reduce watering and ensure that the plant receives 12-14 hours of darkness and average temperatures of 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit (10-12 C.). Keep the Christmas cactus out of drafty areas as well.
The Christmas cactus is not difficult to care for if you understand how to do so, and if given sufficient care and placed in a good position, it may even surprise you with extra blooming cycles throughout the year.
Can you buy Christmas cactus all year round?
Fresh Christmas Cactus from Costa Farms (Live 2-Pack) You’re undoubtedly wondering how Christmas cacti get through the winter and into the spring. The Christmas cactus can endure colder temperatures and heavy humidity because it is endemic to the East Brazilian jungles.
Can you buy a Christmas cactus?
Our Christmas Cactus was acquired from Mirage of Eden, an Etsy company. They have a big selection of live plants available for purchase through Etsy.
Delivery Time and Plant Condition
We’re in Miami, Florida, and the Mirage of Eden nursery is in California. However, delivery was relatively speedy, taking only 7 days through USPS to our house.
How long do Christmas cactus live?
With good cause, the Christmas cactus may be found all over throughout the holiday season. It’s a blooming succulent that’s easy to care for, has beautiful blossoms, and may survive for up to 100 years if properly cared for! That’s correct! This plant can last for decades, giving your holidays a splash of color for generations. That’s a fairly good return on investment for a plant as simple and low-maintenance as the Christmas cactus!
Do Christmas cactus like coffee grounds?
Your Christmas cactus will appreciate a cup of coffee just as much as you! Coffee grounds are high in potassium and nitrogen, which the cactus requires to stay healthy. You should not use the grounds right away since damp grounds can mold, so spread them out to dry first.