Types of Christmas Cactus Plants (Varieties and Colors)
- Red. The red against the green creates a showy appearance, perfect for the holiday season. The “Dark Marie” plant is an especially gorgeous plant with ...
- Yellow and White.
- Orange.
- Purple and Pink.
Full Answer
What are the different types of holiday cacti?
The three common holiday cacti, named for time of year the blooms appear, include Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus and Easter cactus. All three are easy to grow and have similar growth habits and care requirements.
What is a Christmas cactus?
Out of these species, a lot is assigned to be holiday cacti. This is because they bloom from September to February, thereby resulting in the name Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus plant. There are various types of Christmas cactus but they are generally categorized into two major groups namely:
How many types of Christmas cactus are there?
The three types of Christmas cactus are Christmas, Christmas Eve, and Thanksgiving. They each have different features that make them unique. Christmas cactus is the most popular type of the three types. It has a wide range of colors on its foliage which makes it perfect for people who want to decorate their home with unique plants at christmastime.
What is the difference between Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus?
Although all three are native to Brazil, Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus are tropical rain forest plants, while Easter cactus is native to Brazil’s natural forests. The three types of Christmas cactus plants (holiday cacti) are primarily recognized by the time of bloom.
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What are the 3 types of Christmas cactus?
Holiday Cactus Varieties: What Are The Different Types Of Holiday Cactus. The three common holiday cacti, named for the time of year the blooms appear, include Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, and Easter cactus. All three are easy to grow and have similar growth habits and care requirements.
What's the difference between Christmas cactus Thanksgiving cactus and Easter cactus?
Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) has pointy projections on the sides of the leaves, like crab claws. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesti) has scalloped or teardrop-shaped projections on the leaves. Easter cactus (Schlumbergera gaertnerrii) has leaves with round edges.
How do I know what kind of Christmas cactus I have?
The difference between the three cacti is found in the shape of the leaves. The Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumgera truncata) has very pointed and claw shaped projections on the edges of the leaf. The Christmas cactus (Schlumgera bridgesti) has leaf projections which are more scalloped or tear drop shaped.
What is the rarest color of Christmas cactus?
Red Aspen Christmas Cactus Some gardeners prefer single Christmas Cactus such as 'Red Aspen. ' This rare hybrid is highly sought-after for its frilly, reddish-purple blooms.
Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
Water the Christmas Cactus from the bottom so the water can get down to the plant's roots. Keep pouring water into the soil until water is dripping through the holes in the bottom of the pot. This soaks the soil. Once the soil is completely soaked, make sure that there's no standing water underneath the pot.
Can you plant different color Christmas cactus together?
Examine each stem in the pot. If this is the case with your Christmas cactus, you may have better luck growing the different color varieties in separate pots until they are all mature enough to flower and are of comparable size, then replanting them in the same pot.
Is there a male and female Christmas cactus?
Christmas (and other holiday) cactus plants have both male and female parts within the same flower. It is the fruit that is born only by the female flowers. The male plants still flower but do not bear fruit.
How long do Christmas cactus live?
100 yearsThe Christmas cactus is everywhere during the holiday season, with good reason. It's a blooming succulent that is easy to care for, has gorgeous blooms, and when properly tended can live up to 100 years! That's right! This plant can survive for decades, adding color to your holidays for generations.
How many times a year does a Christmas cactus bloom?
Regardless of which one you have, they can re-bloom more than once a year. Some Of Our General Houseplant Guides For Your Reference: Guide To Watering Indoor Plants.
Is there a purple Christmas cactus?
Fluctuations in temperature can turn a Christmas cactus purple, just like it can to people. Ideally, the plant should be kept in temperatures of 70° to 80° degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60° to 65° degrees Fahrenheit at night.
Are there yellow Christmas cactus?
Yellow Christmas Cactus Plant - Zygocactus - 4" Pot.
Can you get a yellow Christmas cactus?
Christmas cactus is a familiar plant that produces masses of colorful blooms to brighten the environment in the darkest days of winter. Although Christmas cactus is relatively easy to get along with, it isn't uncommon to notice a Christmas cactus with yellow leaves.
What is the scientific name of the Christmas cactus?
However, the scientific name (Genus) of the Christmas cactus, which is Schlumbergera, never changes: Even though both thanksgiving and Christmas cactus belongs to the family of Schlumbergera. Who would ever imagine cactus would be a representation of Christmas. The Christmas cactus originated from the southeast tropical zone in the country ...
What is the difference between a Christmas cactus and a Thanksgiving cactus?
Thus, the difference between Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus is mainly from their shape of flowers and leave shape. Also, the period their flower blooms can tell the difference between these cacti.
What is the name of the cactus that sells as a Thanksgiving cactus?
Zygocactus is the common name of the Thanksgiving cactus. It sells as Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, or a holiday cactus. Don’t keep your cactus from water because lack of water and sudden change of temperatures causes the flowers to drop. Soil. Use quality well-drained soils rich in humus and other nutrients.
Why are Christmas cactus called Christmas cactus?
The reason why they are named Christmas cactus is due to their flowering time. Basically, we have 6 major species of Schlumbergera. Out of these species, a lot is assigned to be holiday cacti. This is because they bloom from September to February, ...
How to replant a Christmas cactus in a pot?
In the new pot replant the Christmas cactus, so that the root ball is about an inch below the rim of the pot. Fill the plant with the fresh potting mix around the roots and pat the ix to remove the air pockets. Water it moderately and put it in a shady location for 2 to 3 days.
When do cactus bloom?
Schlumbergera Truncata. The Schlumbergera truncata (also called the false Christmas cactus or zygocactus) group starts to blooms around thanksgiving till Christmas: Which is from middle November to late December. A few times, they might even bloom till January, depending on the variety of cactus you have.
When will Christmas cactus bloom in 2020?
On October 23, 2020 In Flowers, Gardening Guides, Tips and Help. The holiday season is around the corner. It’s that time of the year where you might want to plant a nice holiday houseplant such as Christmas cactus. Christmas cactus will bloom gorgeously during the holiday periods. There are different types of Christmas cactus ...
What Are the Different Varieties of Christmas Cactus and Their Colors?
All of the different types of Christmas Cactus are truly beautiful and festive, perfect for celebrating the holiday seasons.
What is a Christmas cactus?
Technically, the Christmas Cactus is one of two schlumbergera Christmas house plants, the Christmas Cactus and the Thanksgiving Cactus.
How often do Christmas cactus bloom?
Usually, a Christmas Cactus will bloom once a year. Some people’s holiday cacti bloom multiple times a year, either by accident or by implementing specific conditions to encourage a second bloom.
Which cactus has spikier leaves?
The Thanksgiving cactus has spikier leaves than the closely related Christmas cactus.
How long do Christmas cacti live?
When properly cared for, Christmas cacti can live for 20 to 30 years with an annual or bi-annual flowering.
How many holiday cacti are there?
There are three common holiday cacti. They get their names from the holidays they bloom around.
When do cactus flowers bloom?
The flowering period is usually thanksgiving till Christmas: (middle November to late December.) They might even bloom till January, depending on the variety of cactus you have and how well cared for the plant is. The flower color can vary from pink, red, golden-yellow, or white.
What are the different types of cactus?
The three common holiday cacti, named for time of year the blooms appear, include Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, and Easter cactus. All three are easy to grow and have similar growth habits and care requirements. Although these familiar cacti are traditionally ...
What colors are cactus?
Although these familiar cacti are traditionally available in shades of red, today’s holiday cactus varieties come in magenta, pink, and scarlet, as well as yellow, white, orange, purple, salmon, and apricot.
How to propagate a holiday cactus?
Holiday cactus is easy to propagate by breaking off a stem with two to five segments. Set the stem aside until the broken end forms a callus, then plant the stem in a pot filled with a mixture of sand and sterile potting mix. Be sure the pot has a drainage hole in the bottom . Otherwise, the stem is likely to rot before it develops roots.
Why are cactus called lobster cactus?
Thanksgiving cactus is often known as lobster cactus because the edges of the leaves are hooked, giving them a claw-like appearance. Christmas cactus leaves are smaller with smooth edges, and Easter cactus leaves have a more bristled appearance. Unlike regular, desert-dwelling cactus, holiday cacti are not drought-tolerant.
When do Christmas cactus bloom?
Thanksgiving cactus blooms in late autumn, about a month before Christmas cactus. Easter cactus displays buds in February and blooms around Easter.
Do holiday cactus need water?
Unlike regular, desert-dwelling cactus, holiday cacti are not drought-tolerant. During active growth, the plants should be watered whenever the surface of the potting mix feels dry to the touch. Drainage is critical and the pots should never stand in water. After flowering, water the holiday cactus sparingly until the plant completes its normal ...
What color are the flowers on a Christmas cactus?
Christmas cactus flowers are drooping with purple-brown anthers. Thanksgiving cactus blooms grow horizontal to the stems and have yellow anthers.
What is the difference between a Christmas cactus and a Schlumbergera truncata?
Aside from the leaf differences between holiday cactus, both have tubular, brightly colored flowers.
Do Easter cactus have the same flowers as Christmas?
As already mentioned, the Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus have differing leaves but the same flowers. Easter cacti, however, have smoother leaf edges with no notches, and need a much longer cool and low light period to form flowers. Easter cactus plants have flat, star shaped flowers, easy to set apart from the other holiday cacti’s elongated blooms.
Do I have a Christmas Cactus or Thanksgiving Cactus?
Fall and winter bring out the Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, and Easter cactus stock. While all typically bloom in the cooler seasons, they are not the same cactus. If you wonder, “do I have a Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus?” the question is a reasonable one. The Easter cactus is somewhat different from those two varieties. Differentiating among the three is relatively simple with a few tips.
Genus Schlumbergera
Types of Christmas Cactus
- There are various types of Christmas cactus but they are generally categorized into two major groups namely:
Closely Associated Cactus
- The Easter cactus, the Thanksgiving cactus, and the Christmas cactus are all closely associated. Their flowers and stems are similar and it is quite common for people to mistake them for the same plants.
Additional Information on Types of Christmas Cactus
- No matter the type of cactus plant you have, be it Christmas or Thanksgiving, they will most likely brighten your home. They will bring some spark to your holidays with their gorgeous blooms. They are great for gifting and receiving gifts during the holiday time of the year. Another added benefit is that they can be passed down from one generation to the other. They are great for families an…
FAQ’s
- How do you care for Zygocactus?
Zygocactus is the common name of the Thanksgiving cactus. It sells as Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, or a holiday cactus. Don’t keep your cactus from water because lack of water and sudden change of temperatures causes the flowers to drop. 1. Soil.Use quality well-drained … - How often do you water a Zygocactus?
Only water the Christmas cactus when the top part of the soil is dry. But consider the climate and time of the year. If you are growing your Zygocactus outdoors in a hot and dry climate, consider watering it every 2 to 3 days. If it indoors, it might need water only once a week. Administer less …