Holiday cactus

🌵 Holiday Cactus Overview (Schlumbergera species)

(Includes Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, and Easter Cactus)

The Holiday Cactus is a beloved houseplant known for its colorful, festive blooms that appear around the winter holidays. Unlike desert cacti, this species grows naturally in tropical forests, making it a humidity-loving, soft-stemmed succulent that thrives indoors.

✨ Appearance

• Flattened, segmented stems (called cladodes)

• Smooth or jagged edges depending on the variety

• Produces beautiful tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, white, peach, purple, or yellow

• Mature size ranges from 1–2 ft wide, forming a cascading shape perfect for hanging planters

🎄 Types

• Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)

  • Jagged, pointed edges

  • Typically blooms in November

• Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi)

  • Rounded scalloped edges

  • Blooms in December

• Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis)

  • Star-shaped flowers

  • Blooms in spring

☀️ Light

• Prefers bright, indirect light

• Avoid harsh direct sun which can burn segments

• Can tolerate medium light but may bloom less

💧 Water

• Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry

• Likes consistent moisture but not soggy soil

• Reduce water after blooming season

• Never allow standing water in the pot or saucer

🌡️ Temperature & Humidity

• Enjoys 60–75°F

• Needs cooler nights (50–60°F) in fall to trigger blooming

• Appreciates humidity — great for kitchens and bathrooms

🌱 Soil

• Use a well-draining mix such as:

  • Cactus/succulent soil + a bit of peat or coco coir

  • Or potting mix with added perlite and bark

• Must drain well to prevent root rot

🌸 Blooming Care

To encourage holiday blooms:

1. Shorter days + longer nights (12–14 hours of darkness) in fall

2. Cool temperatures

3. Water less frequently during bud formation

4. Avoid moving the plant once buds form (they drop easily)

🌿 Growth & Maintenance

• Prune after blooming to shape the plant and encourage branching

• Easy to propagate by stem segments

• Feed lightly during spring–summer

🪲 Pests

• Watch for fungus gnats, mealybugs, and root rot

• Overwatering is the biggest issue

🐾 Pet Safety

• Non-toxic to pets (cat and dog friendly!)

💗 Why People Love It

• Reliable yearly blooms

• Easy indoor care

• Long-lived plants—often passed down as heirlooms

• Stunning colors during the holidays

**Pretty sure the ones we have are Thanksgiving, which are easier to take care of.