Holiday cacti are a group of succulent plants native to rainforests of Brazil. They are known for their colorful and showy blooms, which typically appear in late fall, early winter and spring, making them popular houseplants during the holiday seasons.
The three most common types of holiday cacti are the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), Christmas cactus (schlumbergera bridgesii), and Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri).
Holiday cacti are epiphytes, which means they grow on rocks and other plants in their native home, but can also be grown in soil. They have flat, segmented stems that store water, and small, needle-like leaves that grow along the segments.
The blooms of holiday cacti are typically pink, red, white, or orange, and are produced at the tips of the stems.
Holiday cacti require bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. They are prone to root rot and should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Additionally, they should not sit in any standing water.
Fertilizing holiday cacti every 2-3 weeks with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season can help promote healthy growth and blooming. They also need magnesium which can be provided by fertilizing with a solution of epsom salt.
Holiday cacti are generally easy to care for and can live for many years in the right growth conditions. Insect pests and diseases can be a problem in negected plants. These plants can be propagated by taking stem cuttings and rooting them in moist soil.
Below are detailed articles on important care requirements for holiday cacti plants.
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…
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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…
Christmas cacti are beautiful plants that make great gifts. If you have a friend or family member who loves these holiday cacti, you can propagate cutting from your plant and gift them. You can also get more plants by dividing a bigger Christmas cactus into several portions. The easiest way to propagate Christmas cactus is…
Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera bridgessii) are known for their colorful blooms, which typically appear in late fall or early winter. This makes them a popular choice for holiday gifts and decorations. While they are less demanding festive plants, most people don’t know what to do when a Christmas cactus blooms. Under proper care, Christmas cactus blooms…
Christmas cacti are favorite houseplants among indoor plant enthusiasts due to their vibrant blooms in the winter. The flowers come in various colors, from traditional pink and red to white, yellow, and orange. This makes it a great holiday plant for Christmas color and gifting. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a tropical plant native…
As the holiday season approaches, many people decorate their homes with beautiful plants that remind them of the festive moments. Christmas cactus is one of the plants at the top of the list. These plants are known for their vibrant blooms, easy maintenance, and longer lifespan. The Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera bridgesii), is native to…
The Christmas cactus is a popular houseplant known for its beautiful, showy blooms that appear in the winter. This plant is quite sensitive to temperature and should be protected from frost and heat. That’s why it becomes important to understand its cold hardiness and temperature requirements. The ideal temperature for a Christmas cactus is between…