The Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera truncata ) is a popular holiday plant that is often mistakenly called a succulent. Succulents are a group of plants with thick, fleshy leaves or stems that store water to help the plant survive in hot, dry conditions. The Christmas cactus is not a succulent because it hails from the tropical rain forests of Brazil, where it grows on trees or rocks, never in direct sunlight.
No, the Christmas cactus is not a succulent.
Is the Christmas cactus a cactus?
Christmas cactus is a hybrid cactus that is popular for its striking cerise flowers. It blooms indoors around Christmastime in the Northern Hemisphere.
Christmas cacti are beautiful, festive plants that are easy to care for. With a little bit of TLC, they can thrive for many years. Here are a few tips on how to care for your Christmas cacti:
Water: Christmas cacti are drought-tolerant, so you don’t need to water them very often. Plan to water every 2 to 3 weeks, but only water when the top one third of the soil feels dry to the touch. For example, if the plant is in 6 inches of soil, water when the top 2 inches feel dry.
Light: Your Christmas cacti will do best in bright, indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to scorch.
Temperature: These plants prefer cool temperatures and will do best in a room that is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizer: Feed your Christmas cacti once a month with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Pruning: Prune your Christmas cacti after they bloom to encourage new growth.
What succulent is like Christmas cactus
Christmas cactus’s relatives include the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) and Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertnerrii). Often, they’re labeled as Zygocactus, which has become a generic “catch-all” name for any Holiday cacti. All holiday cacti are similar except for bloom times.
Christmas cactus are a popular holiday plant, but they can be tricky to keep healthy. Avoiding problems with Christmas cactus health starts with maintaining the correct light/dark schedule. The plant needs indirect sunlight and should be kept out of direct sunlight. It’s also important to not water too much or too little. Keep the plant away from direct heat sources, like a fireplace or heating vent. With a little care, your Christmas cactus can stay healthy and beautiful for many holiday seasons to come.
How long do Christmas cactus last?
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful plant that can add a touch of holiday cheer to any home. These plants are relatively easy to care for, and will remain in flower for four to six weeks. Each flower will last six to nine days, so you can enjoy their beauty for a while. After the plant has flowered, prune back each stem by pinching off enough sections to achieve a uniform habit. This will help keep your plant looking its best.
To encourage good flower bud production, it is important to control the temperature and amount of light the plant receives. The plant should be exposed to bright light, with temperatures between 55 degrees Fahrenheit and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also important to provide the plant with 13 hours or more of continuous darkness each day.
Can you use Miracle Grow on Christmas cactus?
When planting your Christmas cactus, be sure to use a potting mix that is designed for cacti and succulents. You should water your plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, and increase humidity around the plant if possible. After blooming, feed your plant with a succulent plant food until fall.
Holiday cacti grow best in partial shade with a temperature between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. They do best in an east or west facing window.
Do Christmas cactus need deep pots
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful plant that bloom best when slightly potbound. Mine was in a 6″ grow pot and I planted it into an 8″ pot. I’ve seen older Christmas cacti planted in relatively small pots and they’re doing just fine. Make sure the pot has at least one drain hole.
This soilless potting mix is ideal for your Christmas cactus and is a mix of 1 part cactus and succulent mix, 1 part orchid mix, and 1 part horticultural pumice, sand, or fine gravel. This will help provide drainage while also retaining moisture, and gives your cactus the perfect environment to thrive.
What are the 3 types of Christmas cactus?
There are three types of Christmas cactus plants (holiday cacti). The first type, the Thanksgiving cactus, blooms in late autumn, about a month before Christmas. The second type, the Christmas cactus, blooms around Christmastime. The third type, the Easter cactus, displays buds in February and blooms around Easter.
If you’re looking for a festive houseplant that you can enjoy for years to come, Christmas cactus is a great option! Though it’s often treated as a disposable holiday plant, with proper care, a Christmas cactus can thrive as a long-lasting houseplant. These succulents are relatively easy to care for, and can even live for 100 years or more with the right conditions. So if you’re looking for a plant to enjoy year after year, Christmas cactus is a great choice!
When should you repot a Christmas cactus
The Christmas cactus should be repotted soon after it has stopped blooming and the flowers have wilted. This is typically done in late winter or early spring.
If you want to keep your cacti looking its best during and after the Christmas season, deadhead all the spent blooms. This also encourages the plant to continue blooming. Once Christmas is over, you can continue to enjoy your cacti until it finally stops producing flowers.
Is Epsom salt good for Christmas cactus?
Holiday cacti are known to have a higher requirement for magnesium than many other plants. For this reason, it is recommended that they be fertilized monthly during the growing season with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) mixed at a rate of 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. However, it is important to note that Epsom salt should not be applied to the soil the same week as regular fertilizer.
To propagate a Christmas cactus, take cuttings of one to four segments and let them sit in a cool, dry place for two to four days. Plant an inch deep in new soil, preferably a sand/peat mix. Water sparingly until roots or new growth develop, then water as normal.
Conclusion
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is a popular houseplant that can be grown outdoors in some areas. It is not a true cactus, but is a member of the succulent family. The plant has flattened, segmented stems that are covered with small, spiny, overlapping flowers. The flowers are typically red, but can also be pink, orange, or white.
Yes, the Christmas cactus is a succulent. It is a member of the Cactaceae family and is native to Brazil. The Christmas cactus has curved, flattened, segmented stems and small, white, bell-shaped flowers.
