Christmas Cactus How To Id & Care For Everyones Favorite Holiday Plant
You’re probably wondering what’s behind the mystique surrounding Christmas cacti – or are they Thanksgiving cacti? Or maybe you’ve heard they’re not even cacti at all. I’m guessing a friendly family member or neighbor sparked your curiosity, suggesting that your beloved plant isn’t what it seems.
Perhaps you’ve been cultivating your very own Christmas cactus for years, but you’re struggling to coax those elusive blooms out of it.
Or maybe you’ve got a sprawling specimen on your hands and are pondering whether it’s time to upgrade its digs.
Whatever brought you here, rest assured this is the ultimate one-stop shop for all your questions about Christmas cactus care. So grab a warm cup of joe, get cozy, and prepare to uncover some surprising secrets about these fascinating plants – even if they’re not your favorite holiday plant (though let’s be honest, who wouldn’t love them?).
Just Misunderstood
Despite their reputation for being finicky, Christmas cactuses are actually quite easy to care for and can thrive with proper attention. The real challenge lies in understanding their natural habits and mimicking them in your home. It’s no wonder that many people are surprised to learn that the plant they’ve been tending for years is not even a true Christmas cactus, but rather its close relative, the Thanksgiving cactus.
This confusion can be attributed to the fact that both plants share similar characteristics and are often mistakenly sold as the same species. However, with a little know-how, you can coax your humble houseplant into producing vibrant blooms each year. As the plant begins to flourish, you’ll find yourself becoming the go-to family member for cuttings, passing on the tradition of nurturing these beautiful plants to future generations.
Let’s Start with the Most Common Complaint
Christmas cactus owners often find themselves disappointed when their plant fails to bloom at Christmas or doesn’t bloom at all. Rest assured, there’s nothing inherently wrong with your plant; it simply requires different care than other plants in your collection. In fact, they have a unique requirement that sets them apart: daylight. Specifically, Christmas cacti are short-day photoperiod blooming plants, meaning their blooming is triggered by the amount of time they’re exposed to sunlight.
This is unlike other plants that bloom based on factors like temperature or moisture. When days grow shorter, Christmas cactuses set buds and blossom. This phenomenon also occurs in other popular short-day photoperiod bloomers like poinsettias, violets, and chrysanthemums. Interestingly, this blooming pattern is why they’re associated with Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere. But did you know that in their native Brazil, they’re known as the Flor de Maio, or May Flower?
This highlights the plant’s adaptability to different environments and its ability to thrive under varying conditions.
To understand how to take care of them and finally get them to bloom, it helps to take a look at how they grow in the wild.
In their natural habitats, Christmas cacti are often found nestled in the crooks of trees or clinging to jagged rocks using their tenacious roots. These aroids thrive as epiphytes (growing on trees) or epilithes (growing on rocks), forming symbiotic relationships with the plants they adorn. In the wild, these plants tend to become more woody and weathered than their cultivated counterparts, which are typically pampered in cozy living rooms.
All Christmas cacti belong to the Schlumbergera family, but a closer look reveals three distinct species that can be easily distinguished without flowers. Once blooming, however, it’s clear that each species has its own unique characteristics and flowering schedule, with Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter being the typical times of bloom for each.
In recent years, some enthusiasts have opted to simply refer to these plants as Holiday cacti in an effort to simplify the classification and reduce potential confusion. The three main species include: Schlumbergera truncata, commonly known as Thanksgiving cactus; Schlumbergera buckleyi, dubbed Christmas cactus; and Schlumbergera gaertneri, affectionately referred to as Easter cactus.
By far, the most common Schlumbergera is the Thanksgiving
cactus.
Thanksgiving cacti have become a staple in many American homes due to their convenience and timely blooming. The most widely available variety is easily propagated and can be shipped with buds already forming, allowing them to burst into bloom just as the holiday season begins. These cacti are ubiquitous during November, filling garden centers and home improvement stores. But how do you differentiate between various Thanksgiving cactus species?
Let’s focus on making this plant thrive so it can showcase its vibrant blooms first.
While there are three different holiday cactus, they all
prefer the same care.
Contrary to their prickly exterior, the care requirements for these cacti are surprisingly similar to those of popular tropical plants like Pothos and Monstera. In fact, they thrive in environments that are often considered quite opposite from what you might expect from a typical cactus – more humid, shaded areas with consistent watering schedules.
Light and temperature
Holiday cactuses thrive in conditions that mimic a cozy living room atmosphere. They adore bright, indirect light, making an eastern-facing window an ideal spot for them. The perfect temperature range is between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is similar to the warmth we find comfortable. If you live in a region where nighttime temperatures don’t dip below 50°F, you can even grow your holiday cactus outdoors.
However, it’s essential to provide protection from direct sunlight by planting them under a tree or on a shaded porch. Alternatively, you can move your plant outside during the summer months and bring it indoors as the weather starts to cool down in the fall. Just remember that these plants are sensitive to cold temperatures and aren’t frost-hardy. Be sure to bring your holiday cactus inside before daytime temperatures drop below 50°F.
Watering
Unlike their desert-dwelling counterparts, holiday cacti thrive in tropical environments. To keep them happy, provide a good soaking followed by a drying-out period between waterings. It’s essential to avoid overwatering, as it can quickly lead to root rot. Make sure your plant is potted in a well-draining container and discard any excess water from the saucer to prevent root sitting in moisture.
These cacti also appreciate a humid environment, which is ideal for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter celebrations. If you don’t live in a naturally humid climate, create your own microclimate by placing the pot on a flat dish or saucer filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, it will maintain a comfortable humidity level around your plant.
Remember to keep the water below the stones and the pot above the waterline to avoid any potential issues.
If you prefer an easier solution, consider using a pebble tray or humidifier to provide the necessary moisture for your holiday cactus.
Soil
In their natural environment, these plants thrive in areas where debris and dirt tend to accumulate, such as the crook of a tree or the shallow crevices of rocks. Similarly, when potting them, it’s essential to replicate this condition by using an aroid potting mix, like this one from Gardenera. Alternatively, you can create your own blend, drawing inspiration from my African violet mix recipe.
The key is to provide a snug and comfortable environment for the roots, as holiday cacti prefer to be slightly root-bound. As such, you won’t need to repot them frequently; in fact, every few years should suffice. When the time comes to replant, opt for a new container that’s only marginally larger than the previous one.
Fertilizer
To optimize growth and encourage new leaf segments, I recommend feeding your Christmas cactus with a balanced fertilizer during its active growth period, which begins after the blooms have faded and new leaves start to emerge. I’ve had impressive results using Dr. Earth Pure Gold Pump & Grow All Purpose Fertilizer at ¼ strength, adding it directly to my water rather than following the manufacturer’s instructions. A well-rounded NPK fertilizer will support healthy new growth.
As the days start getting noticeably longer about a month prior, I switch to Schultz African Violet Plus for its high phosphorus content, which is essential for bud development. During the blooming period, I provide my Christmas cactus with a balanced fertilizer once a month to keep it thriving.
Blooming
To coax your holiday cactus into blooming annually, remember that they’re short-day bloomers. As days shorten, they’ll enter dormancy for around four weeks before producing blooms. You can facilitate this process by providing longer, cooler nights.
Keep your plant in the dark for 12 to 14 hours a day. If you don’t have a dark spot available, cover it gently with a black sheet. This will also help induce bud formation.
In addition to darkness, your cactus needs cooler temperatures between 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit to set buds. Move it to a cool room in your home or create a false dormant period by placing it in a spot that receives the cool air from a basement or unheated area, like my mom did with her Christmas cactus.
Once your cactus starts setting buds at the tip of its segments, you can move it back to its usual location.
Be gentle when handling the plant during this stage, as excessive movement can cause bud drop. Keep in mind that holiday cacti are temperamental and may drop their buds if disturbed too much.
During the budding process, be sure to water your plant regularly, keep it out of drafts and away from heat sources, and minimize moves. With a successful dormant phase, you can expect beautiful blooms every year.
Propagating
After the blooming period is over, give your plant a brief reprieve for about a month or two before attending to its shape and size. If it’s become leggy or you’re not fond of its appearance, simply trim it back to the desired length using sterilized scissors. This will also provide you with valuable material for propagation. By cutting the plant just above a leaf segment, you’ll be able to share the leaf segments with loved ones.
Allow the cut ends to form a callous over the next few days before replanting them 1 inch deep into fresh soil. Once settled, water sparingly as the new roots take hold. Within a couple of weeks, your newly propagated plants should be well-established and ready for normal watering. For a comprehensive guide on propagating Christmas cactus, check out our step-by-step tutorial: [insert link].
Remember to share your success with friends and family, especially if you’re lucky enough to have a rare true Christmas cactus. They can be quite elusive!
Pets, pests, and problems
Holiday cacti pose no threat to feline and canine companions, as they are non-toxic. Furthermore, these plants tend to be pest-free, making them a low-maintenance addition to any home. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when watering, as over-hydration can lead to root rot. If your plant begins to appear unhealthy and starts shedding entire segments, discontinue watering immediately. In such cases, consider excavating some soil to expose the roots, allowing them to dry out.
For optimal health, consider repotting your holiday cactus in terra cotta or breathable clay pots instead of plastic containers, which can trap moisture. Additionally, if you notice your plant’s leaves turning reddish-brown, it may be a sign of either excessive sunlight or inadequate watering. To address this, relocate the plant to a spot with reduced direct light and adjust its water intake accordingly.
How to tell holiday cactus apart
To identify which holiday cactus you have, take a closer look at their unique segment characteristics. The leaf segments are a key distinguishing feature among these varieties.
The Thanksgiving cactus is characterized by pointed teeth at the top of each segment and on its sides, with an elongated and slightly boxy shape. In contrast, the Christmas cactus has notched sides rather than teeth, featuring a similar boxy shape to the Thanksgiving variety but with a more subtle difference.
The Easter cactus, meanwhile, boasts very rounded leaf segments with shallow indents on its side. When these holiday cacti bloom, another key characteristic becomes apparent. The Thanksgiving and Christmas varieties produce tube-shaped flowers, while the Easter cactus is distinguished by its daisy-like blooms.
Check out your plant; you may be surprised to find you don’t
have a Christmas cactus at all.
As long as you provide the necessary care, your holiday cactus can thrive and bring joy to you and others for an extended period – potentially spanning multiple decades. In fact, these plants are renowned for their remarkable longevity, making them an ideal choice for sharing with family and friends.
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