Learn about this beautiful blooming holiday houseplant and how to tell difference between the Thanksgiving and the Christmas cactus.
Christmas Cactus
This beauty is not a desert cactus, but originates from 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.
The scientific name for the Christmas cactus is Schlumbergera x buckleyi. 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 at the Thanksgiving cactus.
Upon further research I found that the majority of plants sold as the Christmas cactus are actually the Thanksgiving cactus. Outside of the fact that the Thanksgiving cactus normally blooms around Thanksgiving, or the third week of November here in the US, there is another key feature that distinguishes the two. The stem or what looks like the leaf segments on the Thanksgiving cactus have distinct pointed edges, while the true Christmas cactus is more scalloped and round as shown below.
So, if you know anyone who has had a “Christmas cactus” and it always blooms too early, you may now know the reason why.
Here it is getting ready to bloom in October. I find that this plant likes cool temps, enjoys being pot bound and indirect light. Also, it should be allowed to dry out between watering. If you are a traditional red lover no worries. This plant comes in red, peach, white, cream and purple.
Lastly, according the The Old Farmer’s Almanac a properly cared for cactus can live for 20-30 years. That quite a good bang for your buck.
Susan M says
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 says
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!
Pamela @ FlowerPatchFarmhouse.com says
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.
Rose says
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 says
Hi Rose,
That’s too funny. We should all be so lucky to have plants in our will!
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Imelda Clifton says
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