Members only
Unlock the Plant Library
Care guides for 220+ plants: light, water, soil, pets, seasonal calendars and troubleshooting. Enter the password from your welcome email to get in.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Christmas cactus
Care at a glance
Light
Water
Humidity
Temperature
Growth
Soil
Fertiliser
Pet safety
About this plant
Unlike desert cacti, Schlumbergera grows on trees in Brazilian rainforests, so it prefers filtered light and more moisture. Flowering is triggered by longer nights and cooler temperatures, so it blooms in late autumn and winter. Thanksgiving cactus has pointed stem segments; Christmas cactus has rounded ones.
Best spots
Bright windowsills, hanging baskets, shelves and sheltered, shaded balconies in frost-free areas.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Schlumbergera × buckleyi; S. truncata |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Origin | South-eastern Brazil |
| Plant type | Epiphytic cactus |
| Mature size | 30–45 cm |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Foliage | Flat, segmented green stems |
| Flowers | Pink, red, white, orange or purple |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Stem segment cuttings |
Seasonal care calendar
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Buds drop | Moving the plant, draughts or sudden temperature changes once buds form. |
| Limp, wrinkled stems | Under- or overwatering. Check roots. |
| Red or purple stems | Too much sun or cold stress. |
| No flowers | Not enough darkness or cool nights in autumn. |
| Segments falling off | Overwatering or stress. |
Common questions
How do I get it to flower again?
In autumn give it long dark nights, cooler temperatures and slightly less water.
Is it a real cactus?
Yes, but a forest cactus that likes more water and less sun than desert types.
How do I propagate it?
Twist off a segment of 2–3 joints, let it dry a day and plant it in moist mix.
Can it live for decades?
Yes. With good care they can live for many years.
