what is sold under the common names christmas cactus, thanksgiving cactus or holiday cactus are mostly hybrids (crossings) based on schlumbergera truncata. there are many cultivars available, flowering from white to yellow, orange, red, pink or bicolor. in their natural habitat (brazil) the members of the genus schlumbergera are growing on trees (epiphytic) or rocks (lithophytic).
care
the christmas cactus does best in bright light. light shade and a bit of morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated. but too much sun can burn its leaves. during summer it can be placed outside. make sure that rainwater can easily run out of the pot and that it’s protected from afternoon sun. place indoor when temperature is falling below 10 °c (50 °f) constantly.
the soil should be well drained, there are special mixes for epiphytic cacti available. i’m using my own mix between humus, sand, gritty and orchid soil (2:1:1:1). but it’s also growing good in a regular cactus soil or a mix of humus and sand (3:1).
it need to be good watered, what runs out of the pot’s hole should be removed after a few minutes. wet legs can cause rotten roots. before adding water next, the soil should get nearly dry.
a half diluted cactus fertilzer can be given monthly in spring/summer and if the christmas cactus is flowering.
for blooming at christmas time, schlumbergera should be placed a bit colder (10-15 °c/50-59 °f) for approx. eight weeks, starting in september. it now has to be kept nearly dry and must not be feeded. when its flower buds are approx. 1-2 cm (0.39-0.79 inch) long it can given back to its old location.
due to the new conditions, recently bought christmas cacti can loose their flowers.
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1-5: schlumbergera hybrids, 6: schlumbergera x exotica “knuth” is a crossing between s. opuntioides and s. truncata. its flowering in pink.
christmas cactus vs. easter cactus
christmas cacti can easily be differed from easter cacti (hatiora) by their leaves and flowers. there are hybrids between both species available (image 4).
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propagation
the christmas cactus can be propagated with seeds or cuttings.