By Cindy Haynes

Horticulturalist

Iowa State University Extension

One of the best indoor plants for the upcoming season is holiday cactus. Don’t get me wrong, I love poinsettias and poinsettias are the number one selling flowering potted plant for a reason. But holiday cactus lasts longer as a houseplant. It lasts longer because it doesn’t require as much effort to grow or flower compared to a poinsettia.

You may already know holiday cactus as Christmas cactus. Actually there are three cactus species that are commonly referred to as holiday cactus, Christmas cactus (Schlumberera bridgesii), Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergeria truncate) and Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri). They vary ever so slightly in leaf appearance. Since they are very similar in appearance and since most Christmas cactus sold is actually Thanksgiving cactus (it blooms earlier) – it is just easier to refer to the whole group as holiday cactus. 

No matter which species of holiday cactus that you find, it will make an excellent houseplant. They all have brightly colored pink, red, purple, orange or white flowers sometime in winter.

Selecting a Holiday Cactus

Pick plants that look full in their containers with many stems emerging from the soil.  Look for plants that have plenty of flower buds starting to show color at the ends of the stems. You want them to save their blooms for your home, not the store. Finally, double check the turgidity of the stems. Make sure they are not shriveled, wrinkled or flaccid.  Stems that are limp, wrinkled or shriveled may have been exposed to cold temperatures, allowed to dry or kept too moist.

After selecting the best holiday cactus, make sure to protect it from cold temperatures when taking it to your car. Many retailers will have plastic or paper sleeves that can protect plants for the short trek to a waiting (and hopefully warm) car. 

Growing Holiday Cactus Indoors

Holiday cacti prefer brightly lit locations indoors. Eastern and western windows with plenty of indirect light are often ideal. Plants will remain healthy and dark green with sufficient light. Given plenty of light they will grow quickly and reliably flower every year. 

Generally plants in well-lit locations also need frequent water. Resist the temptation to keep this plant moist like a poinsettia.  It prefers to dry out slightly between waterings. It does not, however, insist on dry soils like other cacti. Flowers will drop quickly if plants are too dry. Allow the top to dry out slightly between waterings, but when watering, water thoroughly until water drains out of the bottom of the pot.

Reblooming Holiday Cacti

From late spring through late summer, plants should receive plenty of indirect light and regular water and fertilizer. In late August or early September, water should be reduced and regular fertilizer applications should cease. By early September plants should be kept in short days to promote flower initiation. This means from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. plants should kept in a dark location without supplemental lights. Supplemental lighting from incandescent or fluorescent bulbs can inhibit flower formation. 

Holiday cactus also prefers cool night temperatures during the fall. Night temperatures around 50 to 65 degrees F also help initiate flower buds. Day temperatures in the 70 to 80 degree F range are ideal.

No matter which holiday is around the corner, holiday cactus is a great addition to a home. With little effort it will bloom reliably year after year.

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