What You Should Know About Christmas Cactus

Christmas cacti (scientifically known as Schlumbergera spp.) are popular holiday plants that bloom around the Christmas season, though they can also bloom at Thanksgiving or Easter depending on the variety. These unique, colorful cacti are native to the cloud forests of Brazil, where they grow as epiphytes (plants that grow on trees) rather than in the desert.

At Shane Tinker Enterprises, we offer Christmas Cactus in 4″, 6″, and 8″ sizes and a variety of bloom colors.

Key Characteristics:

1. Flowers: The most striking feature of the Christmas cactus is its bright, tubular flowers, which can come in a range of colors, including red, pink, purple, white, and even yellow. The blooms are typically large and showy, with a long blooming period, often lasting several weeks.
2. Leaves: Unlike typical desert cacti, which have spines, the Christmas cactus has flattened, segmented stems. These “leaves” are broad, with scalloped edges, giving them a unique, almost fern-like appearance.
3. Growth Habit: The plant is a trailing, bushy plant that can grow to be quite large, often reaching several feet in length if grown in a hanging basket or container.
4. Blooming Time: As their name suggests, Christmas cacti bloom around Christmas time, though the exact timing can vary depending on the plant’s environment and care. With the right conditions, they may bloom anytime from late fall to early winter. There are also Thanksgiving cacti (Schlumbergera truncata), which tend to bloom earlier in the season.

Care Tips for Christmas Cactus:

1. Light: These plants prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can burn their leaves, so placing them in a spot with filtered light is ideal. They may tolerate lower light levels, but they won’t bloom as prolifically.
2. Temperature: Christmas cacti thrive in temperatures between 60-70°F. To trigger blooming, they often need a period of cooler temperatures (around 50-55°F) for a few weeks, which mimics their natural winter conditions in the wild.
3. Watering: These plants prefer evenly moist soil but dislike being waterlogged. Allow the top inch of the soil to dry out between waterings. Be careful not to let the plant sit in water, as this can lead to root rot.
4. Humidity: Being native to a tropical environment, Christmas cacti appreciate humidity. If your home is dry, especially in the winter, you might want to mist the plant or use a humidity tray to keep the air around it moist.
5. Fertilization: During the growing season (spring and summer), feed your Christmas cactus with a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks. When it’s in bloom, it doesn’t need much fertilization.
6. Re-potting: Christmas cacti don’t need to be re-potted frequently, as they are slow-growing. Re-potting every 2-3 years is usually sufficient. Be sure to use a well-draining potting mix (a cactus mix or one with added perlite or sand is ideal).
7. Pruning: You can prune a Christmas cactus after it blooms, especially if it has become leggy or overgrown. This can help encourage new growth and more blooms next season.

How to Encourage Blooming:

To get your Christmas cactus to bloom, it may need a period of darkness to set flower buds. You can encourage this by providing the plant with 12-14 hours of complete darkness each night for about 2-3 weeks in the fall. This “resting period” is important for the plant to trigger the blooming cycle. After this period, bring the cactus back into a normal light cycle, and you should see buds forming.

Varieties:

There are a few different species of Schlumbergera that are often sold as Christmas cacti, including:

• Schlumbergera truncata (Thanksgiving cactus) – Blooms earlier, with more angular, spiky segments.
• Schlumbergera russelliana (Christmas cactus) – The classic, with more rounded segments.

Both species have slightly different care needs and blooming times, but they are very similar in appearance.

Troubleshooting:

• No blooms: This could be due to insufficient light, too much or too little water, or lack of the necessary “rest” period in darkness.
• Yellowing leaves: This can indicate overwatering or poor drainage.
• Leggy growth: Often a sign of too little light.
• Pests: While relatively pest-resistant, Christmas cacti can occasionally attract mealybugs, scale, or aphids. Keep an eye out for small, white, cotton-like clumps or sticky residue on the plant.

Christmas cacti are beautiful, low-maintenance plants that can live for many years if properly cared for, making them a popular choice as a holiday decoration or as a gift. Their vibrant blooms are a wonderful way to celebrate the season!

If you have any questions, feel free to send us a message or call us at (352) 735-8350.