Schlumbergera Holiday Cactus

Schlumbergera | Holiday Cactus

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter cacti prefer to be treated as tropical plants, as they come from the Brazilian rainforest.

Check our care sheet for how to get blooms during the holidays.

pink Schlumbergera holiday cactus

Most Popular Types

Also known as zygocactus, there are three main types of Schlumbergera (holiday cactus):

  • Thanksgiving – look for points on each leaf segment. Has bell-shaped drooping flowers.
  • Christmas – similar flowers to the Thanksgiving variety, but with rounded leaf segments.
  • Easter – similar rounded leaves to the Christmas variety, but with star-shaped blooms.

Light

bright, indirect sunlight

Temperatures

It’s ok to leave your holiday cactus outside in the shade during the summer, but bring it inside before temps drop to 50° F.

Watering

Soak well and let dry between waterings. If the plant has become wilted from lack of water, you can place it in a tub of water for a day, but don’t do this on a regular basis.

Toxicity

non-toxic to humans or pets

Growth

In their native habitat, these plants are epiphytes, attaching to tree limbs in tropical rainforests. Schlumbergera tends to drape over time. Hanging baskets really show off the flowers which grow at the ends of the leaves. Our care sheet provides more info on helping them to bloom.

Origin

rainforests of Central and South America, particularly Brazil.

Propagation

Holiday cactus can be propagated through separating of roots, or from leaves. We have found that leaving the leaves upright in 1/4 inch of distilled water promoted root growth. It is also possible to plant the leaves directly into moist soil.

Dormancy

It’s easy to force Schlumbergera into dormancy so that the plant flowers at the appropriate time. See our care sheet for instructions on blooming.

Schlumbergera thanksgiving cactus

Holiday cacti are available in a wide variety of colors.

Schlumbergera truncata, Thanksgiving or Crab cactus plant growing new leaves

Schlumbergera truncata, Thanksgiving or Crab cactus plant growing new leaves

Schlumbergera truncata, Thanksgiving or Crab cactus plant growing new leaves

Thanksgiving cactus Schlumbergera truncata crab cactus plants on windowsill blossoming in winter

Thanksgiving cactus Schlumbergera truncata crab cactus plants on windowsill blossoming in winter

Thanksgiving cactus Schlumbergera truncata crab cactus plants on windowsill blossoming in winter

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Rhipsalis

Rhipsalis

Rhipsalis is a tropical cactus, usually called Mistletoe or Spaghetti cactus. It has light, thin branches with tiny cactus spines.

 

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

There are many varieties of Rhipsalis, mostly all known as Mistletoe cactus. At Growing Hobby, we carry Rhipsalis clavata, R. baccifera cashero, R. cereuscula, and R. baccifera.

Light

Partial sun

Temperatures

Rhipsalis can withstand temperatures down to 33°F for short time periods.

Watering

Water frequently, not allowing the soil to go completely dry nor remain soggy.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans or pets

Growth

Rhipsalis is an epiphyte, growing from crooks in rainforest trees. Indoors, it drapes to 2 ft in length.

Origin

Central America, Europe, Asia, and Africa

Propagation

Stem cuttings

Dormancy

Winter dormant

Rhipsalis lepismium cruciforme hurricane cactus

Rhipsalis lepismium cruciforme is known as the hurricane cactus. We don’t know if it’s because it can survive a hurricane or if it always looks like it just went through one!

Rhipsalis in bloom

This small scale Rhipsalis develops even tinier blooms.

Rhipsalis baccifera

Rhipsalis Baccifera is an epiphyte in its native environment.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Prayer Plant

Prayer Plant

Maranta and Calathea

Prayer plants roll up their leaves in the evening and unfurl them in the morning light. Maranta and Calathea are both known as prayer plants and have similar needs.

Macro of a Maranta prayer plant's leaf

Most Popular Types

Maranta leuconeura tricolor has striking lime, dark green, and red foliage. Calathea ornata has deep green leaves and pink stripes, and Calathea orbifolia has subtle silver green striped leaves.

Light

Filtered light or partial shade

Temperatures

These plants should stay within 70 to 85°F. They cannot tolerate temps below 60°F. Most are grown as house plants.

Watering

Water regularly to maintain moist but not soggy soil. Humidity trays, humidifiers, or frequent misting will keep the recommended humidity level of 50%. Water with room temperature or warm water.

Browning or withering leaves show a need for more watering.

Yellow leaves may be caused by chlorine or fluoride in the water. This can be resolved by watering with distilled or rain water, or by leaving tap water out for 24 hours before using.

Toxicity

Non-toxic for humans and pets

Growth

Oblong leaves with colorful stripes. Calathea grow to full size within one year, up to 2 ft in height, while Maranta may take a few years. Blooms in late spring or summer. There is no need to prune or trim, but you can remove leaves as they die off naturally. Repot every 2-3 years to keep from being rootbound.

Origin

Central and South America

Propagation

Root division if the plant is more than 2 years old. Water the plant the day before separating the roots to divide the plant.

Dormancy

Winter dormant. During this time, provide the plants with bright indirect light to maintain growth.

Maranta leuconeura prayer plant

Maranta leuconeura is one variety of prayer plant that rolls up its leaves at night and opens them in the morning.

Beautiful maranta leaves with an ornament on a yellow background close-up

Beautiful maranta leaves with an ornament on a yellow background close-up

Beautiful maranta leaves with an ornament on a yellow background close-up

Macro of a Maranta prayer plant's leaf

Macro of a Maranta prayer plant’s leaf

Macro of a Maranta prayer plant’s leaf

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Portulacaria Elephant Bush

Portulacaria |  Elephant Bush

While Elephant Bush is often called a Mini Jade, the two are not related. Elephant Bush is sometimes eaten as a delicacy, while jade (Crassula) is toxic. Portulacaria is commonly eaten by elephants, while tortoises and goats prefer to graze on the variegated variety.

Portulacaria Elephant Bush

Most Popular Types

Portulacaria afra – green and variegated varieties are popular. The variegated type takes on a pink hue in direct sun but is less resistant to heat.

Light

Full sun

Temperatures

Minimum temperature of 33°F

Watering

Water when top inch of soil is dry

Toxicity

Non-toxic to people and pets

Growth

Can grow to 12ft in height, producing periodic pink flowers. This plant is suitable for bonsai.

Origin

South Africa

Propagation

Stem cuttings

Dormancy

Summer dormant

Portulacaria pre-bonsai elephant bush mini jade

Portulacaria, often called mini jade, works well for bonsai. This one has a thick trunk but has not yet been trained.

Decorative bush succulent Portulacaria afra for landscaping gardens

Elephant bush succulent Portulacaria afra

Elephant bush is often used as a summer groundcover.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Staghorn Ferns

Platycerium | Staghorn Ferns

Staghorn ferns are just amazing. Since they are epiphytic, they can survive in just a rootball of soil, which makes them perfect for kokedama – wrapping roots in sheet moss and hanging from above.

Platycerium bifurcatum, or Staghorn fern (also known as Elkhorn fern), have two types of fronds – the showy fertile fronds and the shield-shaped ones at the base of the plant. Both are needed, so don’t remove the shield fronds, even when they are turning brown. It’s all part of the magic!

Kokedama

Most Popular Types

Common Staghorn – Platycerium bifurcatum, P. andinum – American Staghorn

Light

Bright, indirect light.

Temperatures

Platycerium prefers temperatures above 40°F. In colder climates, the plant can be mounted on a piece of wood or wire basket to be brought indoors when the temperature drops.

Watering

Staghorn fern is most comfortable in a humid environment with periodic watering. it is best to allow the roots to dry between waterings to avoid root rot. Adequate air circulation is important.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans and pets.

Growth

Platycerium can reach more than 3 ft across. In the spring, it produces shield fronds, while the fertile fronds are produced in late summer. In the fall, spores layer the undersides of the long fronds in sori. 

Origin

Common Staghorn fern is native to Asia and Australia. American Staghorn is native to South America.

Propagation

Spores layer the underside of the fronds in the fall. These spores create offsets which can be separated from the parent plant.

Dormancy

Winter dormant

Preparing to Mount Staghorn Fern on Board

Preparing to Mount Staghorn Fern on Board

Preparing to Mount Staghorn Fern on Board

Staghorn fern in tropical greenhouse. Elkhorn fern in pot hanging over the glass roof in glasshouse

Staghorn fern in tropical greenhouse

Staghorn fern hanging glasshouse ceiling

spores on staghorn fern

Spores develop on the underside of fronds, causing a brown sori.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop