The string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a beautiful succulent native to the drier regions of southwestern Africa. This plant features long, trailing stems that can ascend downwards over the sides of a hanging basket. The leaves are spherical, resembling tiny pears or a string of beads. This succulent is commonly grown in hanging baskets…
Christmas cacti are popular winter holiday plants, not just because they have beautiful flowers but because they are easy to care for. If you provide your Christmas cactus with the right conditions, it rewards with beautiful blooms for many years to come. So, how long do Christmas cactus live? On average, a Christmas cactus lives…
Trailing cactus plants can add beauty and color to any space. They can be grown in hanging baskets on a patio, porch, or balcony. I enjoy it when they are suspended indoors on a ceiling beam or window frame. However, there are just a few hanging cacti you can choose for this arrangement. Popular trailing…
Watering a Christmas cactus is a delicate balance. These beautiful holiday plants don’t tolerate extreme drought but they are also susceptible to root rot if overwatered. This can be controlled by how you water your plant. So, do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom? The best way to water a Christmas…
Succulents are plants with thick fleshy stems or leaves that store water. This helps them survive in areas with high temperatures and low rainfall. All cacti including the Christmas cactus are succulents. However, cacti have few differences from the rest of the succulents. The Christmas cactus is a member of the Schlumbergera genus, which also…
Cacti are known to survive in deserts where conditions are hot and dry. However, there are also species that are well-adapted to cold weather and can withstand frost without damage. These plants remain upbeat even when temperatures fall to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold hardy cacti have evolved features that help them withstand colder temperatures. Most…
Moving a plant from its growth media or location to a different one can result in many challenges including, wilting, leaf drop, yellowing leaves, drooping or stunted growth. In this guide, I’ll explain how to transplant Christmas cactus safely. Transplanting a Christmas cactus is not so different from repotting. However, in this case, you might…
Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) or zygocactus is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant that can brighten up your home during the winter. It is commonly called the false Christmas cactus because it blooms around the same time as the true Christmas cactus. There are a few differences between the zygocactus and the Christmas cactus which is…
Zygocactus also known as Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is a popular holiday plant that blooms in late November. It commonly sells as a “Christmas cactus” in various stores during the holidays and most people fail to differentiate it from the true Christmas cactus. The main difference between zygocactus and Christmas cactus is in the shape…
The pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) also known as fire stick or milk bush is a small succulent tree native to semi-arid tropical climates of Africa and India. This plant releases toxic sap when bruised, which can cause skin irritation, eye pain, and a burning sensation in the mouth. Euphorbia tirucalli has smooth cylindrical stems with…