Bring festive cheer to your home year-round with the captivating Schlumbergera, better known as the Christmas cactus. This unique succulent boasts vibrant blooms in shades of pink, red, or white, typically gracing your home during the winter months. With proper care, you can encourage repeat blooms throughout the year, allowing you to enjoy its festive spirit beyond the holidays.

What is Schlumbergera?

Latin Name: Schlumbergera spp. (S. bridgesii, S. truncata, S. russelliana)

Common Name: Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, Schlumbergera, Holiday Cactus

Description: Schlumbergera, often mistaken for a cactus, is actually a succulent native to the rainforests of Brazil. Beloved for their vibrant blooms that typically appear during the winter holidays, these plants thrive in well-draining soil with bright, indirect light. Their unique, flattened, segmented stems and showy flowers in various shades of red, pink, and white make them a delightful addition to any home.

What are the needs of Schlumbergera?

Difficulty: Easy

Lighting: Thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Prefers bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sun, especially during midday, as it can scorch the stems and flowers. East or north-facing windows are ideal.

Watering: Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, allowing excess water to drain freely. Overwatering is a major concern, so err on the side of underwatering.

Temperature: Thrives in cool temperatures between 60-70°F (15-21°C). Avoid placing near heat sources or drafty areas.

Humidity: Appreciates moderate humidity (40-50%). Mist occasionally or use a pebble tray to increase humidity around the plant.

Toxicity

While generally non-toxic, the Christmas Cactus contains a sap that can irritate skin and stomach if ingested. Keep out of reach of pets and children as a precaution.

Gray Barn Farm's Advice

Flowering: Blooms typically appear in late fall and winter, with intentional care, repeat blooms can occur in spring and summer. To encourage blooming, provide at least 12 hours of darkness per night for 6-8 weeks before the desired bloom time.

Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years into a slightly larger pot with well-draining cactus mix. You want to increase pot sizes slowly so the plant is still nestled, but not snug. Choose a pot with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

Additional Tips:

  • Rotate the plant regularly for even growth.
  • Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
  • Fertilize lightly during the growing season with a diluted fertilizer for cacti.
  • Propagate easily by stem cuttings to share the festive spirit with friends and family!