The Three Holiday Cactus

Festive blooms, surprising history, and how to help them thrive

November 15th, 2025

When most people think “holiday plant,” poinsettias usually steal the spotlight—but holiday cacti quietly charm their way into many homes this time of year! These tropical beauties are beloved for their colourful blooms and for the fun fact that there isn’t just one holiday cactus… There are three.

Let’s explore the Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter cactus—how to tell them apart, what makes each one special, and how to care for them. Spoiler: even though they’re called “cactus,” they have very different needs than the prickly desert varieties.

Meet the Holiday Cactus Trio

🎄 Christmas Cactus

(Schlumbergera x buckleyi)

The classic holiday cactus, most commonly seen in December.
How to identify it:

Soft, rounded leaf segments
Flowers that hang down like delicate bells
Blooms closer to Christmas (mid-December)

Fun fact:
The modern Christmas cactus is actually a hybrid created in the 1840s—a true Victorian favourite still loved today.

🦃 Thanksgiving Cactus

(Schlumbergera truncata)

Often mistaken for a Christmas cactus, but typically blooms earlier—late October into November.

How to identify it:

Pointy, claw-shaped leaf edges
Upright, tubular flowers
Blooms just in time for holiday gatherings

Fun fact:
Most “Christmas cacti” sold in stores are actually Thanksgiving cacti. Their natural bloom time lines up perfectly with the retail season!

🐣 Easter Cactus

(Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri)

The least known of the trio and quite different in appearance.

How to identify it:

Smooth, scalloped leaf segments
Star-shaped blooms in spring
Prefers slightly cooler rest periods

Fun fact:
Unlike the other two types, the Easter cactus needs a brief rest right after blooming before it’ll set buds for next year.

Tropical Cactus With Tropical Needs

Despite the name, holiday cacti are not desert cacti.
In the wild, they naturally grow in the shaded, humid forests of Brazil, where they cling to tree branches and absorb moisture from the air.

This means:
✔ They like humidity
✔ They prefer bright indirect light
✔ They do not want to dry out completely
✔ They love being slightly snug in their pots

Think of them more like lush houseplants rather than sandy-soil succulents.

How to Take Care of Holiday Cacti

Light: Bright, indirect light is best—think east or north windows. Avoid harsh afternoon sun.
Watering:
Water when the top third of the soil feels dry.
Never let them sit in water.
They appreciate a little extra humidity during the winter months.
Temperature: Holiday cacti bloom better when exposed to cooler nights (10–15°C / 50–60°F) in early fall. This helps them set buds.
Soil: Use a well-draining, slightly airy mix—something between cactus soil and regular potting mix. A blend with peat, bark, and perlite works beautifully.
Fertilizing: Feed monthly from spring to early fall with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in late September to encourage blooms.
After They Bloom: Give them a short rest:
Water a bit less for 4–6 weeks
Keep them in bright, indirect light
Resume regular care afterward

Why We Love Holiday Cacti

Holiday cacti are beloved not just because they bloom during festive seasons, but because they’re family plants—often passed down for generations. With the right care, they can live 30, 50, or even 100 years, becoming a treasured piece of family history.

They add colour, cheer, and a touch of the tropics to the winter months—bringing a little brightness to our community during the dark days of the season.

To Join Our Mailing List And Never Miss A Monthly Newsletter!