Christmas cactus.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Epiphytic succulent

Light

Bright, indirect light.

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

30 to 60 cm

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Late autumn to winter

Care

Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy, as these plants dislike sitting in standing water. Watch for shriveled stems which indicate dehydration, or yellowing leaves which often point to overwatering. Providing a cooler spot in autumn helps encourage a heavy bloom display.

Watering

Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Feeding

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Prune back stems after flowering to encourage a bushier shape.

Repotting

Repot every few years when the plant becomes root bound.

Soil

Well draining, peat based potting mix.

Soil pH

5.5 to 6.5

Temperature

15 to 24°C

Humidity

50 to 70%

Drought tolerance

low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years.

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Safety

People

This plant is non toxic to humans and pets.

Pets

This plant is considered non toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The small segments can be a choking hazard if a child breaks them off and puts them in their mouth.

Contact allergens

There are no known skin irritants associated with this plant.

Airborne allergens

It does not produce significant airborne allergens.

Edibility

While not considered toxic, the plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

• Segmented, flattened, leaf like stems
• Small teeth along stem edges
• Tubular, multi layered winter flowers
• Epiphytic growth habit

Height

0.3 to 0.6m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

red, pink, white, purple, 3 to 8cm

Common problems

• Root rot — This occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long.
• Mealybugs — These small white insects hide in the crevices of the stem segments.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings

When to plant

spring

Overwintering

Keep the plant in a cool room with indirect light during the winter. Reduce watering slightly but do not let the soil dry out completely.

In containers

They thrive in containers and prefer to be slightly root bound in a pot at least 4 to 6 inches wide.

Group plants with similar humidity needs together to create a microclimate.

Grows well with

• Peace Lily — They share similar light and humidity requirements.
• Ferns — Ferns enjoy the same indirect light and moisture levels.

Keep away from

• Succulents — Succulents need much more direct sun and less water than this cactus.

Similar species

• Easter Cactus — It looks similar but blooms in the spring.

Science

Native range

Coastal mountains of southeastern Brazil.

Conservation

Some species in this genus are threatened in their native habitat due to deforestation.

They grow as epiphytes on trees or rocks in humid, shaded forest environments.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

hummingbirds

Uses

indoor ornamental, hanging baskets

Questions people ask

Why are my buds dropping?

This is usually caused by sudden temperature changes or moving the plant while it is budding.

How often should I water?

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Where the name comes from

The genus is named after Frederic Schlumberger, a French cactus collector. The common name holiday cactus refers to their tendency to bloom during the winter festive season.

Good to know

• They are often called holiday cacti because they bloom in winter.
• The flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds in their native Brazil.
• They require shorter days and cooler nights to trigger flower bud formation.