Successfully Growing Holiday Cactus

Successfully Growing Holiday Cactus

There’s something magical about a plant that decides to bloom just as the days grow shortest. Holiday cactus, also referred to as Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus, are beloved staples in homes for their vibrant flowers and easygoing nature. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep these thriving through the season and beyond, this guide will help you get to know these holiday favorites a little better.

Did you know that most of the cactus referred to as “Christmas Cactus” aren’t really Christmas cactus? That’s right, they are often Thanksgiving cactus! While the care is interchangeable, there are some key differences between these plants. There is also a third holiday cacti, Easter cactus! Continue reading to learn and understand the differences between the three different plants, which while similar, do have some key differences.

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) – these typically bloom closer to Christmas or even into January. These plants have smooth, rounded leaves and bloom a vibrant pink. True Christmas cactus are generally harder to find, often these are passed down via family or friends.

Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)– these bloom in late fall and early winter, have jagged, pointed edges on each leaf. These come in a wide variety of colors; red, yellow, pink, white, purple, just to name a few. These are the cactus you will find at your garden center during the holidays.

Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis) – these bloom in the spring and produce “star-like” flowers with rounded leaves. Easter cactus also can be found in a variety of colors, too.

Light – Bright, indirect light is ideal for your holiday cactus.

Water – Allow most of the soil to dry out in between waterings but avoid letting the soil become bone dry to the point of wilt. On the contrary, never leave your cacti sitting in water, or with consistently wet soil. Planting your holiday cactus in a pot with at least one drainage hole is ideal.

Fertilizing – Feed your holiday cactus sparingly with an all-purpose fertilizer of your choice throughout the growing season. By late summer/early fall, begin to use a fertilizer that promotes bud set and flowering, which will contain a higher amount of phosphorous. You do not need to fertilize your plant while it is in bloom!

Getting Your Cactus to Bloom: Following the provided steps on light, watering and feeding are key steps to get your holiday cactus to rebloom again next year. However, there are a few other tricks you can try to get the most out of your bud set and encourage a beautiful flowering period.

• Consider growing your cactus outdoors for the summer months, once the risk of frost has passed in the spring. Make sure your plant is protected from the hot midday sun, as this will easily burn the foliage. Aim for an area with dappled light and bring your cactus back indoors before fall frosts begin again; usually early to mid-September when the nighttime temps are consistently in the low 50’s. By growing your cacti outdoors, it is naturally exposed to the ideal lighting and temperature needs to help promote blooms in the fall and winter.
• Provide at least 12 hours of total darkness overnight during the fall months. This step is not crucial but can be helpful in encouraging the bud set on holiday cactus.
• Aim for nighttime temperatures around 50–60°F, which naturally helps trigger bud set.

Written by Ellie Longfellow Bilodeau

Longfellow’s Greenhouses