Seasonal Succulents: How to Care for Holiday Cacti

‘Tis the season to add some color to our indoor decor. Right now every grocery store and big box garden department is displaying holiday cacti at hard to resist prices! Most of what we see in stores are Thanksgiving cacti. However, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter cacti are often confused; although, each is distinct in their flowering times, physical characteristics, and care needs.

In nature, these plants are not desert dwellers. They are epiphytic plants, generally speaking, that are from the mountains of Brazil, in a rainforest environment.

All of these cacti measure 6 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide and have a pendulous habit.

Here’s some information to help you recognize and care for these popular plants.

Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)

• Blooming Period: Late November around Thanksgiving - December.
• Physical Features: The leaf segments, called phylloclades, have sharp, claw-like edges. Flowers are tubular with a variety of colors, including pink, red, magenta, white, gold and orange.

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi)

• Blooming Period: December, coinciding with Christmas.
• Physical Features: The segments are rounded with smooth edges, distinguishing it from the Thanksgiving cactus. The flowers are slightly more symmetrical and come in pink, red, or white hues.
• Less available in the trade.

Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri)

• Blooming Period: Spring, near Easter.
• Physical Features: Its segments are more rounded with faint, bristled edges. The flowers are star-shaped and typically come in shades of pink, red, orange or white.

Care Tips for All Holiday Cacti​

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight is ideal. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves. They can be brought outdoors in the spring and brought back inside in October. They need complete darkness for 12 hours to set buds.
• Temperature: These cacti prefer moderate temperatures between 60–70°F. Keep them away from drafts and sudden temperature changes.
• Repotting: Repot every 2–3 years in March or April in a porous, acidic cactus mix or half fine orchid bark and half potting mix.
• Feeding: Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer monthly during the growing season (spring to summer); however, look for a fertilizer that doesn’t have iron. Most of the water soluble commercial brands, have iron in them. BTW- the same holds true for geraniums.
• Pinching: After flowering, pinch the tips out, the first new growth, to get a fuller plant with more buds. Just don’t pinch after March.
• Troubleshooting: If your Thanksgiving cactus is turning red or purple, it could be due to stress or environmental factors. Here are some common reasons:
  1. Nutrient Deficiency: Lack of essential nutrients, especially phosphorus or nitrogen.
  2. Excessive Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight
  3. Cold Stress: These cacti are sensitive to temperatures below 50°F (10°C).
  4. Watering Issues: Overwatering or under watering can stress the plant, leading to discoloration.
  5. Natural Cycle or Age: Sometimes, older leaves may naturally turn red or purplish as they age. This isn’t always a cause for concern.
  6. Root Problems: Poor root health, often caused by overwatering or root rot, can also lead to stress and color changes.
  7. Pests or Diseases: Mealybugs or scale can weaken the plant.

With proper care, these cacti will reward you with blooms year after year; but if you are unsuccessful, you can easily purchase a new plant!

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Taking care of plants is a reminder that growth takes time, patience, and a little sunshine.
                                                                                                                         ~ Unknown