Did you know that there are Thanksgiving Cactus and Easter Cactus variants in addition to the Christmas Cactus, which is a low-maintenance house plant with festive green and red colors?
These colorful cacti’s differences are so minute that they are frequently mistakenly sold as the same thing. Fortunately, the upkeep for each species is the same: moderate light and weekly watering.
The Schlumbergera genus includes all three varieties, according to Erin Marino, editorial director at The Sill. The true key to distinguishing between each species, according to her, is to look at the shape of the stem segments and pay attention to what season they are flowering. They are recognized by their leaf-like pads, or stem segments.
Their flowering season is referenced in each of their common names. Due to their back-to-back blooming times, the Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) and Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesi) kinds are the two most frequently confused. Christmas Cacti bloom from January to February, while Thanksgiving Cacti usually bloom between November and December. Though some Thanksgiving Cacti will bloom closer to Christmas, Marino notes that houseplants can be pushed to bloom at any time. Early spring is when the Easter Cactus (Schlumbergera gaertneri) blooms, and it possesses the three plants’ most pronounced stem segment form differences.
The simplest way to distinguish between each variant, according to Marino, is to look at the shape of the stem segments rather than the blooming season due to the widespread confusion between the Thanksgiving and Christmas Cacti.
Thanksgiving cacti feature stem segments with pointy edges, but Christmas and Easter cacti have stem segments with rounded edges. Only a slight rounded border can be seen on Easter Cacti. | Photo: courtesy of The Sill
Of the three kinds, the Thanksgiving Cactus has the spikiest stem segments. The Easter Cactus has modest rounded edges on its stem segments, while the Christmas Cactus has less spikey pads with rounded edges. According to Marino, Easter Cacti occasionally have tiny hairs on their leaves.
Some retailers might name a Schlumbergera cactus as a “Holiday Cactus” to protect customers from mistaking the plants’ flowering seasons. The Thanksgiving Cactus is the species of Holiday Cactus that The Sill lists on its website.
What characteristics distinguish an Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas cactus?
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.
What characteristics distinguish a Thanksgiving cactus?
Unbelievably, you might have a Thanksgiving-themed cactus rather than a Christmas-themed one! Despite having extremely similar appearances, the two plants are distinct.
Unfortunately, the fact that these Christmas succulents are sometimes mislabeled at garden centers contributes to the confusion between them. Furthermore, the misunderstanding is exacerbated by the fact that they both bloom in the late fall or early winter. But it’s good to know which one you actually possess. How to tell them apart is as follows:
Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)
The Thanksgiving cactus’ leaves can be used to distinguish it from the Christmas cactus. The leaf segments, or “phylloclades,” have pointed spines and are serrated or “toothed,” with 2-4 on each side.
Because of this, these succulents are known as “Crab Claw Cactus.” The final segment’s end has a point on either side and a little concavity.
Thanksgiving cactus flowers are created at the tips or the point where the leaf segments converge. They look like a long tube, like a flower inside a flower.
They normally bloom around Thanksgiving and come in a variety of hues, mostly pastels, such as red, pink, peach, purple, orange, or white.
Observe the pollen-bearing anthers as well.
Christmas cactus anthers are pink to purplish-brown, and Thanksgiving cactus anthers are yellow.
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
The Christmas cactus has leaves with a more rounded, scalloped edge. Although each segment’s tip has a small curvature, they can appear practically straight across.
Christmas cactus blooms often bloom in December and are pink or white. But if you notice flowers on these plants between March and May, don’t be alarmed.
Easter Cactus
Unbelievably, there is also an Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri), and you got it, it blooms in April. The leaves of these succulents feature a strong ridge on one side and tiny bristles.
The flowers are more shaped like stars. They originated in Brazil’s native, temperate woodlands. Although this cactus is significantly more susceptible to over- or under-watering, use caution when watering it.
Is there a similar Christmas cactus called the Easter cactus?
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.
Are there cactus for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving?
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 such 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 was developed from a cutting my mother-in-law acquired more than 70 years ago! They are the ideal plant to pass along because they are so simple 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. Its common name comes from the square shape of its leaf segments, which have pointy hooks on one end and along the sides that resemble pincers “the crab cactus It is indigenous to Brazil, where hummingbirds pollinate its 2 to 3 inch long, satiny blossoms.
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.
also known as a “The trumpet-shaped, flaring flowers of the spring cactus, also known as the Easter cactus, have pointed petals and are typically pink, though they 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 characteristics mark an Easter cactus?
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.
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.
What distinguishes a real Christmas cactus from a fake 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.