Schlumbergera truncata is a cactus with stems composed of strongly flattened segments, which have two or three “teeth” of varying shapes along their edges and at the ends.
The ends of the stems are “cut off” rather than pointed. Individual segments are up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long and up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) wide. The flowers are up to 3.1 inches (8 cm) long and 2.4 inches (6 cm) across. There are six to eight tepals, which may be of various colors, including shades of red, orange, pink and white.
Plants flower in the autumn: around May in their natural habitat, in October to November in cultivation in the Northern Hemisphere.
How to Grow and Care
These plants are easy to grow and are often passed down through the generations. With Holiday Cactus, the million-dollar question isn’t how to grow it, but how to make it bloom.
With a little extra attention during the fall months, you can have your plants blooming for the holidays. Don’t expose these plants to freezing temperatures! Despite their love of cooler temperatures, they are still tropical plants that won’t withstand freezing conditions.
They like about 50-60% humidity, which can be achieved using a pebble tray. Never place your Holiday Cactus near a heat register, exterior door, or drafty window, and keep it out of burning sunlight.
Don’t fall into the trap of constantly repotting into a bigger pot. Holiday Cactus likes to be root-bound, and repotting every 2-3 years (even back into the same pot) is plenty.
