As the beloved holiday season approaches, many people start dreaming of time spent with family, putting up decorations, and, of course, presents! But if you’re a plant enthusiast, there is one particular part of the winter season that you look forward to even more – the return of the beautiful, vibrant, and unique Christmas Cactus to your collection. This particular plant affects all of us differently, and if you’re part of the succulent community, you may have wondered if this beautiful flower is considered a part of the succulent family. As you read on, you’ll learn why this piece of winter wonder is so special, and if it is indeed a succulent plant!
1. What is a Christmas Cactus?
A Christmas Cactus is a type of succulent that blooms in the winter season around Christmas time or the holiday season. The scientific name for this species is Schlumbergera, and it is related to the cactus family. Its vibrant and colorful blooms make it an excellent choice for adding a festive touch to any holiday setting!
The Christmas Cactus is an exquisite tropical and subtropical plant with its thick, foliage-like, flattened stem segments. It is characterized by long arching stems with vibrant flowers. Its flowers come in shades of pink, purple, red, yellow, and even white blooms. It prefers cooler temperatures which makes it a popular choice for indoor and outdoor holiday decorations.
- Light: Bright indirect light is suitable for this cactus, as too much direct sunlight can damage its colorful blossoms.
- Water: Keep the soil moist, avoid over-watering as this can lead to root-rot.
- Fertilizer: Use a liquid fertilizer every two weeks, especially during the blooming season.
In the right conditions, the Christmas Cactus can thrive for many years if cared for properly. The best part about this plant is its minimal maintenance requirements, and its ability to bring warmth and cheer to your home or garden during the chilly winter season.
2. What Makes a Christmas Cactus Distinct from Succulents?
1. Flowers and Habits
Christmas cacti bloom in late December or early January, well after other cacti and succulents have stopped blooming for the season. The flowers come in a variety of colors like white, pink, purple, and red. Christmas cacti will produce multiple stems and have bright green, smooth stems versus other cacti and succulents that often have various types of spines or thorns.
2. Light and Soil Preferences
Christmas cacti prefer bright indirect sunlight or a partial shade more so than most other succulents. They also prefer moist soils with good drainage.
3. Growth Habits
Christmas cacti are usually tall with wide, flat-edged stems reaching lengths up to four feet. When young, they grow in a solitary manner and when older they tend to form clusters. The stems can be potted individually or can be allowed to cluster which will form a large plant.
4. Potting and Feeding
Christmas cacti should be repotted every two years into fresh, well-draining soil. They should be fertilized every four weeks during the growing season and allowed to dry out completely before rewatering.
Related: Transplanting Cactus Outdoors: It Will Be Easier!
3. Identifying a Christmas Cactus
When looking to identify a Christmas Cactus it is important to consider the characteristics of the plant. Many succulents share similar traits, so it is important to be able to recognize the distinguishing factors of a Christmas Cactus in order to ensure that the plant is correctly identified.
Here are some characteristics you should look out for:
- Segmented stems that are usually six-sided.
- Soft, fleshy, green foliage.
- Flowers that range in color from red to white.
- Developed from “Christmas Cactus”
If you are examining a succulent and it bears all or some of the above features it is highly likely that you have identified a Christmas Cactus. As with all succulents, it is important to ensure that the soil is soft and well drained to retain the ideal moisture level.
To ensure that you have correctly identified a Christmas Cactus you should compare the features to the identifying characteristics of other succulents and take into consideration the growing environment and soil type. As long as all of the signs point towards a Christmas Cactus, you are probably looking at the right plant.
4. Care for a Christmas Cactus
Plant Profile
- A Christmas cactus is not a succulent, but an epiphyte that grows in the wild
- Temperature: Christmas cacti need to be in temperatures between 65–85°F
- Light: 16–18 hours of light for flower production
- Availability: Year-round
Care Instructions
- Maintain 60-65% humidity
- Water when the topmost soil dries out – not more than twice a week
- Feed once or twice a month during the growing season if the soil does not have added fertilizer
- Keep the soil lightly moist, not wet, during the cooler winter months
Christmas cacti are easy to maintain with the right care. Without enough temperature and light, they won’t bloom. To keep them healthy, keep the soil moisture levels between “slightly dry” and “slightly wet.” When the top of the soil is dry, water thoroughly and allow the excess water to drain. Feed your plants during their growing season with a houseplant food that contains higher levels of phosphorus as this will help promote flowering. Repot or refresh the soil once in spring reduce watering in winter and move the plants to a colder place.
5. Keep Your Christmas Cactus Blooming
Christmas cactus bloom in December, bringing festive cheer to our homes. But what sets them apart from traditional succulents? Read on to find out.
- Leaves: Christmas cactus (“Schlumbergera bridgesii”) have scalloped leaves, while succulents generally have thick, fleshy leaves.
- Flowers: Succulents typically produce clusters of small flowers, while Christmas cactus produces large, five-petalled flowers.
- Light Requirements: Succulents prefer direct sunlight, while Christmas cactus will do best with bright, indirect light.
- Water Requirements: Succulents require less frequent watering than Christmas cactus – once or twice a month, compared to once a week for the Christmas cactus.
If you have a Christmas cactus, begin by ensuring it has bright, indirect light—not too much, not too little. Water it once a week and fertilize it every month. When winter arrives and buds begin to form, you should stop fertilizing and scale back on the watering. Once the flowers bloom, enjoy them for as long as possible, then prune and repot the cactus.
By following the above guidelines, your Christmas cactus will flourish for many years to come!
6. Should You Choose a Christmas Cactus or a Succulent?
If you’re looking for a festive addition to your holiday home, you may be wondering which is better: a Christmas cactus or a succulent. They both make excellent holiday plants, but before making your final decision, here’s what you should know about them.
- Differences in Appearance: Succulents are typically made up of thick leaves with distinctive ridges, producing an almost rosette-like pattern. On the other hand, Christmas cactuses grow more traditionally shaped cactuses with flowers in a reddish-pink color.
- Planning and Care: When it comes to planning, succulents need a fair amount of sunlight and a generous water intake during the summer months. Christmas cactuses are generally more demanding in terms of care, requiring more consistent care (providing adequate amounts of moisture when needed).
- Maintenance: Generally, succulents require minimal maintenance. You just need to be careful of their sharp needles and trim off any dead leaves every couple of months. Christmas cactuses are similarly low maintenance, however, they need a bit more attention when it comes to watering.
Ultimately, while both plants make excellent holiday decorations, your decision will depend largely on your lifestyle, as well as the amount of maintenance you’re willing to commit. Whichever plant you choose, your family will love it.
If you’ve been searching for a unique indoor plant to add a festive touch to your home, then you may just have found your perfect match in the Christmas Cactus! So why not take part in this wonderful tradition and get yourself a wonderful Christmas Cactus this year – the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with beauty and style!