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.
Christmas cactus and Easter cactus are popular holiday plants due to their colorful blooms during the winter holidays. While they share many similarities, they also have some notable differences. Typically, they are different in their blooming time and the shape of their leaves. The Christmas cactus blooms in mid-winter, around Christmas, and has flat stem…
The Christmas cactus is popular for its beautifully segmented stems and colorful flowers that form during winter. The cactus comes in different variations that bloom in shades of pink, red, purple, orange, and white. If you just bought or gifted a Christmas cactus, perhaps you are wondering, how often does it bloom? The Christmas cactus…
Beautiful blooms are what make a Christmas cactus a renowned houseplant. The plant brightens many homes during the winter holidays, and every owner keeps looking forward to the memorable moment. However, if your Christmas cactus is not blooming, there could be a problem. Common causes include insufficient light, overexposure to direct sunlight, temperature fluctuations, improper…
Christmas cactus is a popular house plant that blooms over the winter holidays. This plant has fleshy green segments that join together to form stems. When blooming, flowers appear at the tips of the stems. When aging, a Christmas cactus undergoes several changes, particularly in appearance. The stems can become woody and less flexible, and…
You might want to expand your collection or spread the beauty of your Christmas cactus to your friends as a holiday gift. This shouldn’t be a problem if you already have a big Christmas cactus. You can simply divide it to produce more new plants. Dividing a Christmas cactus is an easy process where healthy…
A Christmas cactus is a beautiful plant that will brighten any home during winter. It blooms during the Christmas season producing pink or lilac tubular flowers. Watering is one of the few requirements to sustain the plant’s health and blooming. So, how often should I water a Christmas cactus? Water your Christmas cactus as soon…
A Christmas cactus is a beautiful holiday plant that always adds color and warmth to a home during Christmas and sometimes around Easter. However, like any plant, it can experience problems and diseases that may cause it to die. A well-cared-for Christmas cactus should live more than 30 years. However, the plant may die prematurely…
A Christmas cactus is a lovely plant to have in your house. The plant will usually bloom during winter and display beautiful flowers during Christmas. There are different types of Christmas cactus colors for every decor. So, how long do the Christmas cactus bloom last? Christmas cactus blooms typically last between 4 to 6 weeks….
A Christmas cactus is a beautiful plant and even more gorgeous when it blooms. Caring for a Christmas cactus is relatively easy because the plant does not require much attention. You only need to water the plant once a week and provide bright indirect sunlight. Leaves falling off a Christmas cactus plant signifies a problem….
A plant is said to be rootbound when its roots grow into a dense, tangled mass that does not allow space for further growth. Root bounding mainly occurs in plants grown in pots with limited space for expansion. Similarly, a plant in the garden can also be rootbound when the roots come across a barrier…