Plant Database / Christmas cactus plant care

Christmas cactus

Schlumbergera buckleyi

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Christmas cactus is a plant which belongs to the Schlumbergera genus. Christmas cactus grows as a perennial and is a succulent. Being a perennial plant, it tends to grow best over several years (approx 3 years and greater). Christmas cactus normally grows to a erect habit. This plant tends to bloom in mid winter.

Brazil is believed to be where Christmas cactus originates from.

This plant info is provided by the myfolia gardener's wiki. All details about Christmas cactus have been kindly provided by our members.

How to grow Christmas cactus

Growing Christmas cactus from seed

Transplanting Christmas cactus

Companion plants for Christmas cactus

These plants have been known to grow well alongside Christmas cactus so consider planting:

Repellent plants for Christmas cactus

These plants will not grow well with Christmas cactus so avoid planting these within close proximity:

Common Christmas cactus problems

These problems, diseases and pests are known to affect Christmas cactus plants:

Basal Stem Rot (Fusarium oxysporum)²
- Apply iprodione or etridiazole and thiophanate methyl in order to protect the healthy plants
Botrytis Blight (Botrytis cinerea)²
- Move plant to a location with lower humidity
- You can apply iprodione, fludioxonil, or mancozeb for added protection
Impatiens Necrotic Spot virus²
Phytophthora Root Rot (Phytophthora Parasitica)²

Mealy bugs¹
Scale insects²

Christmas cactus Etymology

The holiday cactus group is a phenomenal favorite, and LOTS of people have at least one plant, at least in the USA. The most common holiday cactus is commonly called “Christmas Cactus” but this plant is actually the “Thanksgiving Cactus” or “Holiday Cactus.” These are actually two different species of Schlumbergera. The Thanksgiving Schlumbergera truncata has pointed soft spikes on the segments, and is the more common plant. The S. truncata is also called Holiday Cactus. The true Christmas Cactus (more rare) is Schlumbergera buckleyi, and has rounded scallops on the segments.

Other names for Christmas cactus

Zygocactus

Christmas cactus care instructions

Category The lifecycle that this Christmas cactus exhibits. Perennial Difficulty How easy is Christmas cactus to grow? Help build our wiki!
Lifecycle The lifecycle that this Christmas cactus exhibits. Perennial Growth Habit What shape or habit does Christmas cactus grow into? Erect
Hardiness How frost hardy is Christmas cactus? Help build our wiki! Country of Origin Where did Christmas cactus come from? Brazil
Mature Height How tall does Christmas cactus grow? Help build our wiki! Mature Spread How wide does Christmas cactus grow? Help build our wiki!
USDA Zone Range Which zones does Christmas cactus grow best in? to pH Range The level of acidity for Christmas cactus. -
Water Requirements How much water does Christmas cactus require? Help build our wiki! Nitrogen Requirements How much nitrogen fertilizer does Christmas cactus need? Help build our wiki!
Soil What sort of soil should I plant Christmas cactus in? Potting Mix Sun How much sunlight does Christmas cactus need to grow? Help build our wiki!
Can Sow Direct? Can Christmas cactus be sown directly? No Sowing Depth How deep to plant Christmas cactus? Help build our wiki!
Sowing Distance Apart How far apart to plant Christmas cactus? Help build our wiki! Sowing Row Distance Apart How far apart to plant rows of Christmas cactus? Help build our wiki!
Ideal Germination Temperature Range What temperatures does Christmas cactus need in order to germinate? Help build our wiki! to Help build our wiki! Growing Temperatures What temperatures are best to grow Christmas cactus in? Help build our wiki! to Help build our wiki!
Planting Distance Apart How far apart to plant Christmas cactus seedlings. Help build our wiki! Planting Row Distance Apart How far apart to plant rows of Christmas cactus seedlings. Help build our wiki!
Bloom Time When will Christmas cactus bloom? Mid Winter Harvest Time When is Christmas cactus ready for harvest? Help build our wiki!
Pruning Time When should I prune Christmas cactus? Help build our wiki!

How long does Christmas cactus take to grow?

These estimates for how long Christmas cactus takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world. Start logging and journaling your observations to participate!

Days to Germination How long does it take Christmas cactus to germinate? days Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Christmas cactus? + days Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Days to Maturity How long until Christmas cactus is ready for harvest / bloom? + 900 days Average 900 days | Min 900 days | Max 900 days (1)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Christmas cactus? = days

Footnotes

fn1: Christmas Cactus Care and Advice on GardenSeeker.com

fn2: ChristmasCactus.org: Christmas Cactus Informational Site

Popular varieties of Christmas cactus

View the complete variety list for Christmas cactus »

Christmas cactus Tags

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Christmas cactus