Christmas cactus

Christmas cactus is a true cactus although it doesn't resemble typical desert cacti. That's because in its native habitat it grows in trees. It is a short-day plant, blooming when it gets more than 12 to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness. You can also force it into bloom by providing cool temperatures, below 55 degrees F, for 6 to 8 weeks. Plants grow best in bright light with moderately dry soil. Room temperature is good for it except when it is in bloom or developing flower buds. At those times keep it at 55 degrees F.

Plant Type:

Indoor Plant

Plant Height:

8-12 inches tall

Plant Width:

6-18 inches wide

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Drought Tolerant,Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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Christmas cactus

(Schlumbergera Xbuckleyi) has scalloped leaf margins and whorls of satiny flowers that dangle from segmented stems, which resemble leaves. It is sometimes called zygocactus or holiday cactus. The true Christmas cactus usually does not bloom until mid-December; many plants sold as Christmas cactus are actually Thanksgiving cactus.
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Thanksgiving cactus

(Schlumbergera truncata) blooms several weeks earlier than Christmas cactus. It has 2 to 4 pointed teeth along the margins of stem segments. It is also known as crab cactus.
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Propagation

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Stem Cuttings
Leaf Cuttings