Learn about this beautiful blooming holiday houseplant and how to tell the difference between the Thanksgiving, Schlumbergera truncata, and the Christmas cactus, Schlumbergera x buckleyi.
This beauty is not a desert cactus but originates from Brazil in South America in the rain forest. It's an epiphyte which means it grows on other plants, in this case, trees. It's not a parasite but rather lives on the rainfall and air and other debris that accumulate near it.
I'm sure that is why this plant makes a great houseplant. It doesn't require strong light but prefers indirect lighting and it doesn't need much water.
What's the Difference Between a Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus Plant?
The scientific name for the Christmas cactus is Schlumbergera x buckleyi or bridgesii. Here's the interesting news. When I was looking up the scientific name for this plant I realized that I did not have a Schlumbergera x buckleyi. Instead, I believe this plant is Schlumbergera truncata also known as the Thanksgiving cactus. Another common name is False Christmas Cactus.
Thanksgiving cacti normally bloom around Thanksgiving or the third week of November here in the US. In fact, the majority of plants sold as the Christmas cactus are actually the Thanksgiving cactus.
However, there is another key feature that distinguishes the two. The stem, or what looks like the leaf segments, on the Thanksgiving cactus has distinct pointed edges or teeth as shown above.
The true Christmas cactus is more scalloped and has round edges shown above.
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To make matters even more complicated there is also an Easter cactus, Schlumbergera gaertneri aka Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri, whose leaves look similar to the Christmas cactus. In this case, the key to differentiating them is the blooms. The Easter cactus has star-like daisy blooms shown above. These blooms are said to last much longer than the other types of cacti.
Here's my DIY embroidery hoop basket with a Thanksgiving cactus in bloom and a Christmas cactus not in bloom on the right. I grew the Christmas cactus from a cutting last year and it has not bloomed yet. I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's in bloom.
Here's an update with the true Christmas cactus in bloom in January as shown above.
Schlumbergera Plant Care
- I find that this plant likes cool temps.
- It also enjoys being pot bound
- Needs bright indirect light.
- Also, like many houseplants and succulents, it needs a pot and potting soil that drains well. Let it dry out between watering. Otherwise, you may get root rot.
Propagation
All are easy to propagate. Just take a cutting of 3 - 4 stem segments. Allow the cut to dry or callus before potting it in some well draining growing medium.
You will find that if it's happy it will bloom more than once a year. Most of the time I've seen this plant for sale in a pink or salmon color. However, there are many hybrids that come in shades of red, oranges, peach, white, cream, and purple.
Lastly, according to Birds and Blooms Magazine a properly cared for holiday cactus can live for over 145 years. That's quite a good bang for your buck.
If you have this plant you thought was a Christmas Cactus or know anyone who does and it always blooms too early, now you know why. Either way, it's a beautiful easy to grow plant.
Donna
I enjoy your site so much - have saved a lot of them. From your information I have a Thanksgiving cactus. Missed blooming this year but will keep watching it. Thank you.
Patti Estep
Thank you Donna. Who knows your cactus may bloom yet.
Marilyn Jacoby
How often should a Thanksgiving/Christmas cactus be watered?
Patti Estep
It can vary depending on the conditions you have it in. I water mine once a week thoroughly making sure that it drains well when I do. You don't want it to sit in water. You may find that once a week is too much. Just make sure it's pretty dry before watering. I think people kill plants (myself included) by over-watering more than under-watering. Of course if it's drooping that probably means it's time to water.
Rene Box
Very interesting post! I have four of the Thanksgiving cactus in four different colors that came from cuttings from my mom. She will be surprised, as I was, to hear that they are not true Christmas cactus. Thanks for the post.
Patti Estep
Hi Rene,
I think many of us are in the same boat, but the plant is just as lovely. Mine is bloomed in October and is blooming again now and a love having something bloom inside this time of year.
Carole
I love everything about this plant, it's one of the few house plants that continues to catch my attention. Can't figure out if it's the bloom or the unique greenery that interests me the most. Great information, this will help if I ever break down and actually purchase one for our Tiny Home.
Patti Estep
Hi Carole,
This is a good one because it doesn't take up too much room and is very adaptable and easy to grow. Plus the flowers are awfully pretty. It usually blooms a couple times a year for me.
Imelda Clifton
Hi Patti
I was interested to see the plant "Christmas Cactus"
Where I live in New Zealand this plant is reasonably common. It flowers in March/April which is Autumn here. I had an apricot one but have seen pink as well. I asked a few people what it was called but no one seemed to have a name except "some sort of succulent"
Unfortunately when I shifted house it was neglected for a while and it died. It grows easily from cuttings tho
Imelda
Rose
Hi Patti,
Really great information!
They can last a very long time, I inherited a Christamas Cactus from a friends Grandmother, it was already 30 years old when I received it, I had it for 20 years. If you take really good care ot it, you might have to put it in your will:-)
Patti Estep
Hi Rose,
That's too funny. We should all be so lucky to have plants in our will!
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Pamela @ FlowerPatchFarmhouse.com
I have both Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus, the leaves are distinctly different. I have a friend who has one that is over 50 years old. It was her Grandmothers. It is huge and gorgeous! I have started some cuttings from it.
Susan M
I did't realize there was a Thanksgiving cactus! Mine always bloomed early. Thanks for sharing. This is such a petty winter blooming plant!
Patti
Thank you Susan. Some people suggest that the true Christmas Cactus is somewhat rare but I think you can coax it to bloom a little later if you give it the cold treatment at the right time. We'll see how I fare next year but really I wouldn't mind having it bloom at Thanksgiving either. Have a great holiday!