Holiday cacti are not true cactus plants. They are native to tropical rainforests of South America and their care is much different than desert cacti. Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti refers to the time that they bloom in Fall.

Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) and Christmas cactus (S. bridgesii are available in several flower colors: red, salmon, pink, purple, orange and cream. Most plant hobbiests grow them in hanging baskets, their stem branches gracefully arch over the edges of pots.

Holiday cacti do not have true leaves. The flattened green stem segments (called “cladophylls”) identify the kind of cacti that you are growing and exhibit soft teeth and no spines. Thanksgiving cactus has the most prominent teeth or claws along the edges and also bloom earliest – around the Thanksgiving holiday. Christmas cactus segments have rounded segments.

Holiday cacti thrive in a well-drained, organic-rich, moist
soil (media) and are placed near a well-lighted window in your home or apartment. Grow them in clay or plastic pots with bottom drainage hole(s) to allow excess water to drain off into a saucer or a shallow tray of gravel. BUT, do not overwater these plants. Their arching segmented stems make them ideal hanging basket plants.

During the active spring and summer growing season, keep the media evenly moist. Over the summer, set the pot outdoors under a shade tree or on a partially shaded deck or patio. In early fall, flower buds will form in response to short day photoperiod and cool outdoor temperatures. Below 45 °F, bring plant(s) indoors and increase watering intervals by 2-3 days longer.

New growth start out from the branch tips in late winter or early spring. Holiday cacti are low constant feeders when actively growing. Fertilize through summer months with any house plant fertilizer twice monthly or a water soluble fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro™ or Peters™ @ one teaspoon per gallon of water. Feed the non-blooming plant once every 4-5 weeks over the winter months.

Holiday cacti do not require annual repotting and will grow potbound for 3-4 years. Prune to reshape the plant during the winter rest period in February. Snip off unsightly foliage at any time of year. Inspect plants periodically for mealy bugs and scale. If bugs are present, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, sold at independent garden centers and garden shops.