Holiday Cactus Confusion… Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter?
 | Author:
Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent |
Holiday Cactus Confusion… Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter?
Allison Kosto
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
For years I was sure I had a Christmas cactus, even though the timing was slightly off as it was usually in full bloom before Thanksgiving. I played it off to the fact that I keep my house cooler than most. After all, who has heard of a Thanksgiving cactus?! However, you may be surprised to learn there are actually three separate species of holiday cacti, a Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncate), a Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) and an Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertnerrii). Holiday cacti are treasurers that can be passed down for multiple generations. It’s not unusual for a plant to live more than 100 years with good care.
Aside from their bloom time, the main difference is the shape of their stem segments. The Thanksgiving cacti have 2 to 4 saw-toothed serrations or projections on each segment. The Christmas and Easter cacti are much more rounded. Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti both have tubular flowers but different pollen-bearing anthers. Easter cacti have star-shaped flowers.
All species of holiday cacti are native to the mountains of Brazil and can produce a variety of colored flowers. In their native environment, they grow on tree branches in the rain forest, so they make a great choice for hanging baskets. They grow best in light shade but can tolerate full sun in the fall and winter. Ideal spring and summer growth will occur between 70 to 80 degrees F.
Holiday cacti are short-day plants. This means they need shorter days, at least 12 to 24 hours of darkness, and cool temperatures to induce blooming. Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti need approximately 6 weeks while Easter cacti need 8 to 12 weeks which is why they bloom in the spring. Ideal fall bud growth takes place at 68 degrees F or slightly lower and will slow or stop at 50 degrees F. Long nights of 14 or more hours of darkness for at least six weeks are essential for bud set. Once the flowering begins then the period of darkness is less important.
Plants should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. They can tolerate drier conditions during the summer. Do not let the cacti become waterlogged or let water stand in the saucer. Unlike other houseplants, holiday cacti are best when kept somewhat pot-bound. Repotting may still be necessary as it grows, but probably not more than once every three years and should be done in the spring. As with other cacti, the potting medium must be well drained.
The most common disease for holiday cacti is root rot which can be prevented by avoiding excessive watering. It is also common for holiday cacti to drop unopened buds. This is usually stimulated by an excessive number of buds, sudden changes in light or temperature, or lack of moisture. The lack of flowering can also be due to interrupting the long night period such as from street, car or indoor lighting. Easter cacti are the most finicky of the three and are considered more difficult to care for. It is more sensitive to under- or over-watering. It also favors higher humidity than its counterparts.
After close inspection, I discovered that I do have Thanksgiving cactus, not a Christmas cactus with poor timing! Contact MSU Extension in Broadwater County at 406-266-9242 or allison.kosto@montana.edu for any of your plant care questions. Happy holidays!
