Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a rainforest cactus and is naturally from the Brazilian jungles. It is an epiphytic plant (a plant that grows on another plant but is not parasitic) and is generally found growing on trees. It can reach 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide indoors with trailing stem segments. The blooms develop on the ends of the segments and bloom in the late fall/early winter. The flowers can be red, yellow, purple, pink, white and peach. It can live over 100 years and is an easy-care plant making it a plant that can passed from generation to generation and one of our holiday favorites.

AKA: Holiday Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, Easter Cactus, Zygocactus

Light: Bright, indirect light but tolerates low light. Bright light will produce more blooms but be careful not to burn the leaves.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Water slowly and evenly; drain excess. It is a tropical cactus so don’t let it dry out like a desert cactus.

Humidity: Prefers medium to high humidity.

Toxicity: Non-toxic.

Potting Mix: Well draining and loose. A cactus/succulent mix would work well.

Additional Care: Rotate regularly to keep even growth and to help the blooms set evenly. Don’t rotate once the blooms have set. Reblooming: 6-8 before you want it to bloom reduce watering, temperature and light.