Arching, jointed stems end in flared flowers in shades of pink, opening in autumn and winter when little else indoors is in bloom. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) comes from South American jungles, where it perches in the forks of branches; copy that shelter and bright, indirect light and it flowers year after year.
| Name | Schlumbergera |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Type | indoor plant |
| Height | 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) indoors |
| Exposure | Very well-lit |
| Soil | soil mix |
| Foliage | evergreen |
| Flowering | Autumn/Winter |
Not hardy at all, it is usually grown in our latitudes as an indoor plant.
Schlumbergera, or Christmas cactus, is traditionally grown in pots or garden boxes in temperate latitudes because it doesn’t resist temperatures colder than 50°F (10°C).
Once purchased, you won’t need to repot it immediately, but it will do good to change the pot after the blooming.
This step is important because it determines the proper growth and flowering of your schlumbergera.
If growing schlumbergera in the open ground, know that this is only possible in areas with very mild winters because this plant is native to the tropical regions of South America.
Schlumbergera or Christmas cactus is propagated through cuttings after the blooming.
Leave the broken end to dry and callus over for a day or two before it goes into the mix, as this greatly cuts the risk of rot.
Keep the mix barely moist rather than soggy, since these fleshy stems rot in waterlogged medium; if you use a cover, ventilate it regularly, and new growth at the tip signals rooting.
Schlumbergera or Christmas cactus is quite easy but here are the tips that will help you make it last.
Schlumbergera requires strong light but shrivels up in direct sun when it is placed behind a window.
In summer, it’s possible to place your schlumbergera outdoors, in a shaded and sheltered spot of your terrace, deck or garden.
Watering is on a regular but moderate basis during the growth and/or blooming season.
To keep your schlumbergera from one year to the next, it is advised to repot it after the blooming, at least every 2 or 3 years.
For the foliage to stay dense and the bearing compact, it’s possible to pinch stems after blooming.
Almost everything a Christmas cactus asks for is a question of timing, and most of it happens once the flowers have faded. Here are the main tasks gathered together.
| Task | When | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Repotting | After flowering, every 2 or 3 years | Move up just one pot size, into a container with a drainage hole |
| Taking cuttings | After flowering | Young stem tips dipped in rooting powder, kept warm at 68 to 70°F (20 to 21°C) |
| Watering | Growth and blooming season | Regular but moderate, never leaving water standing at the bottom of the pot |
| Feeding | mid-autumn to midwinter | Special cactus fertiliser every two weeks to increase flowering |
| Pinching stems | After flowering | Keeps the foliage dense and the plant compact |
Note the one thing never to do: shift the plant about once the buds have set.
Christmas cactuses are native to the tropical jungles of South America. They’re used to growing at the fork of large branches, where enough organic matter accumulates to provide proper substrate.
It’s called Christmas cactus because it usually blooms in early winter, even if today, marketing pressure makes them bloom as early as fall.
Schlumbergera is also an air purifying indoor plant.
Lastly, the true specific Christmas cactus is Schlumbergera x buckleyi but there are now 6 commonly available schlumbergera species.
The blooming seasons are somewhat staged, but not the color of the flowers which always are shades of pink. That’s where the difference between “Christmas cactus”, “Thanksgiving cactus” and “Easter cactus” comes from!
If the leaves of your Schlumbergera are falling off, this may be because it was moved to another place, drafty air, or an issue with the watering.
