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.
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
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.