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Holiday Cactus

$10.00
sold out

A Tropical Burst of Winter Color

The term "Holiday Cactus" refers to the entire genus Schlumbergera, which includes popular plants like the Thanksgiving and Christmas Cacti. These are not desert succulents, but epiphytic jungle cacti native to the coastal mountains of Brazil, where they grow on trees and rocks in humid, shaded environments.

  • Foliage and Form: This plant has a wonderful cascading or trailing habit, making it an ideal choice for hanging baskets. Its stems are composed of glossy, flattened, leafless segments (cladodes) that grow in chains. Depending on the hybrid, the segment edges may be smooth, scalloped, or feature claw-like points.

  • Show-Stopping Blooms: The main attraction is the magnificent burst of color that arrives precisely when needed most—during the cooler, darker months. Tubular, layered flowers emerge from the tips of the stems in a wide spectrum of colors, including vibrant reds, deep pinks, coral, pure whites, and oranges.

  • Longevity: With proper care, a Holiday Cactus is not a temporary decoration but a potential heirloom plant. Many specimens thrive for 20 to 30 years or more, brightening your home for decades.

    All potted plants are local pickup only. Shipped plants will be bare root (no pot or soil).

A Tropical Burst of Winter Color

The term "Holiday Cactus" refers to the entire genus Schlumbergera, which includes popular plants like the Thanksgiving and Christmas Cacti. These are not desert succulents, but epiphytic jungle cacti native to the coastal mountains of Brazil, where they grow on trees and rocks in humid, shaded environments.

  • Foliage and Form: This plant has a wonderful cascading or trailing habit, making it an ideal choice for hanging baskets. Its stems are composed of glossy, flattened, leafless segments (cladodes) that grow in chains. Depending on the hybrid, the segment edges may be smooth, scalloped, or feature claw-like points.

  • Show-Stopping Blooms: The main attraction is the magnificent burst of color that arrives precisely when needed most—during the cooler, darker months. Tubular, layered flowers emerge from the tips of the stems in a wide spectrum of colors, including vibrant reds, deep pinks, coral, pure whites, and oranges.

  • Longevity: With proper care, a Holiday Cactus is not a temporary decoration but a potential heirloom plant. Many specimens thrive for 20 to 30 years or more, brightening your home for decades.

    All potted plants are local pickup only. Shipped plants will be bare root (no pot or soil).

Holiday Cactus (Schlumbergera)

Jungle Cactus Care

To encourage stunning, annual blooming, treat your Schlumbergera like the tropical plant it is, not a dry desert cactus.

  • Light Needs: Provide Bright, Indirect Light. Filtered sunlight is best. Direct, harsh sun, especially in summer, can scorch the stems and turn them reddish-yellow.

  • Water Needs: Water more frequently than desert cacti. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. They appreciate high humidity; misting or placing the pot on a tray of pebbles and water can help.

  • Soil Needs: Use a Well-Draining, Organic-Rich Soil mix, such as a specialized orchid or succulent blend. The soil must drain quickly to prevent root rot.

  • Blooming Secrets: To ensure flower set, the plant needs two main cues in the early fall (6–8 weeks before desired bloom time): cool nighttime temperatures (around 16$50^\circ\text{F}$ to 17$60^\circ\text{F}$) and 12–14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night. Avoid moving the plant once buds begin to form to prevent them from dropping.

The Holiday Cactus is the perfect centerpiece to bring vibrant, cheerful life to your home throughout the winter season.20


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