Unlike many blooming houseplants purchased for the holidays, these cacti can be kept for several years—and even passed down to family members in the future. Before proceeding let me just say that there is a bit of confusion about botanical names for the types most commonly available this time of the year. Garden centers usually choose to offer one type, and that’s any cactus easily recognized by shoppers as blooming around the holidays. Actually there are two types that provide color during November and December —Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata, formerly called Zygocactus truncatus) and Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii). Native to tropical rainforest areas these two types are attached to trees; this is a stark contrast to the prickly cacti plants many people grow on their windowsills.

Schlumbergeras have a lax habit in a pot, with branching and arching stems composed of leaf-like flattened segments which are approximately 1½” to 2″ long. The leaf margins offer the key to differentiating the two, with the Christmas cactus having rounded scalloped stem edges and the Thanksgiving cactus (also called crab or claw cactus) having pointed projections on the “leaf” edges. Many selections offered today are actually hybrid crosses between the Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus.

Their flowers have a somewhat “hose-in-hose” appearance and come in pinks, reds, salmons, white, lavender and yellow. Both of the holiday cacti discussed here thrive on a little neglect, however to see them bloom again a few simple rules should be followed. When you purchase your plant it will probably be in bud or blooming. To keep these buds from dropping off water
normally and place the plant in surroundings maintained at least 55 degrees F. After the flowering period is over the plants need a rest period, during which you reduce the watering and maintain a temperature of about 55 degrees F for two to three months. When you do resume more frequent watering don’t allow the plants to sit in water. One of our customers puts her six year old plant outdoors for the summer in a partial shade location and is always rewarded with a heavily budded plant for the holiday season. She is, by her own admission, just an average gardener and she thinks if she can grow these plants anyone can. Perhaps this is your year to start growing a holiday classic!

Ann Weber