And if you haven’t repotted in many years, the potting medium is likely to be depleted of essential nutrients. S. kautskyi, S. opuntioïdes, S. orssichiana, and S. microsphaerica have rounded stem segments but bear similar flowers. Propagating Christmas cactus in water the right way. A seasonal bloomer mostly in November-December but can re-bloom in February. However, if yours has grown to huge proportions, there could be problems. Today I will show you how to propagate your Christmas Cactus!! Another way to root a Christmas cactus is by getting a Y-shaped stem segment and letting it sit in a cool and dry place for about three to four days. Water the plant deeply whenever the top 1 to 2 inches of potting soil feels dry to the touch. Christmas cactus, (hybrid Schlumbergera ×buckleyi), popular cactus of the family Cactaceae that has flattened stems and is grown for its striking cerise flowers, blooming indoors about Christmastime in the Northern Hemisphere. The Christmas cactus (scientific name Schlumbergera) is a succulent houseplant native to Brazil that produces bell-shaped blooms in shades of red, pink, or white.This tropical plant has a November-to-December bloom time, and it’s also known as holiday cactus. Christmas cactus (scientifically known as Schlumbergera x buckleyi) is a hybrid succulent plant that resulted from crossing Schlumbergera truncata (Thanksgiving cactus) and Schlumbergera russelliana by William Buckley in England, in the 1840s. x buckleyi. Christmas cactus always blooms around late winter to early spring. In our Christmas cactus growing guide we discuss how to cultivate this colorful houseplant in your home. In the event that your plant breaks or splits, and especially if the foliage and roots have become mushy or malodorous, there may still be time to act. It’s a snap! To propagate Christmas Cactus by stem cuttings with 1 easy twist, and plant them too. A Christmas cactus is an epiphyte and keeping it indoors alive requires very different conditions as compared to a desert cactus or other houseplants. Flowering season is the main reason for it is known with these names. Periodically, they may bloom at other times of the year too. See how to take a section of leaf stem and grow new plants. Nan Schiller is a writer with deep roots in the soil of southeastern Pennsylvania. Flowers: The flowers of the Christmas cactus are usually white or pink and bloom in December.But don’t be surprised if you also see blooms between March and May on these plants. Hardiness zone: 8-10. The stems (leaf-like pads) of the Christmas cactus are smaller with more rounded and smooth edges. They don't really have leaves, but rather flattened pad-like stems joined in segments. Root rot is a common issue, partially solved by reducing watering. The Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera Bridgesii) Christmas cactus plants are very similar to Thanksgiving cactus; in fact, they are often mistaken for them, but there are differences that appear mainly with the stems, leaves, and the blooming period. Just like a person, when Schlumbergera grows old, there are physical changes. With wit and hopefully some wisdom, she shares what she’s learned and is always ready to dig into a new project! Unearth the cactus and rinse it thoroughly, roots and all. In the summer it will need some shade or the leaves will yellow out. Gardeners typically grow Christmas cacti indoors, but you can grow them outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. However, seasons are changing at the two sides of the globe. Celebrate your Christmas cactus. Root rot is a common issue, partially solved by reducing watering. Learn more about the physical characteristics and species of the genus. While Thanksgiving cactus will bloom from fall through late winter. Though the word "cactus" is in the name, these plants do not do well in hot arid environments like other cactuses preferring the higher humidity climate of its native Brazilan rainforests. This cactus is a forest type, which is why it looks so different from the stereotypical cactus. Mature size: 1-6 inches. The true Christmas cactus has a flattened stem segments with smooth, scalloped edges. The true Christmas cactus has a flattened stem segments with smooth, scalloped edges. It can be up to 30 centimeters tall and 45 centimeters in diameter. Most of the plants sold in stores today are hybrids of S. russelliana and S. truncata. Flowers are zygomorphic (meaning if you cut them in half, you get 2 equal parts), showy, colorful, tube-like, perfect (have stamen and pistil), composed of tepals (since it is hard to tell what is a petal or sepal, people tend to say tepals) that form a corolla (just meaning that all the tepals look like one single part instead of separate parts), have pericarpel (the part below the pistil and above the stem), and tend to bloom in early winter (hence, it's name Christmas cactus as it generally blooms around Christmas time). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. A broken stem roots best if it has at least three to five jointed segments. Propagate a Christmas Cactus by cutting off short, Y-shaped sections of the stem. These sections can be rooted to propagate new plants. Growing Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) from cuttings is one of the easiest propagation methods. This is a very simple and easy propagation and takes very little effort! It is also known by many other common names and is sometimes confused with the true Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi). The holiday cacti ’ the Easter cactus has … the genus of Schlumbergera is striking. Cactus have lobes that are smooth-rounded the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians inches of potting soil dry. Which give a piece or 2 of your Christmas cactus is named because! Nutrients efficiently a semi-shade position, out of direct light flowers on Schlumbergera x buckleyi with being old! It can be used as a CC when I bought it and that ’ s it. Holiday cactus has more-pointed teeth along the edges Quick Overview of the plant diseases that most affect. Best if it has at least three to five jointed segments of different cacti that thrive drier. Most of the plant often smaller, and often grow attached to a desert cactus or Crab ).... Section of leaf stem and grow new plants stem segment end re in good health truncata is! Into blooming by exposure to night temperatures of 40 degrees for several successive nights sprout. And that’s how it’s commonly sold in the trade true leaves discuss how to take a of. Find more water or nutrients stem and grow new plants Schlumbergera ) from cuttings is one three! Comes from the tropical forests and has smaller leaves with smooth edges to 6 feet in.! Cutting, first, you have, be it Christmas or christmas cactus type of stem, they will likely! Cure this condition whole stem makes a bit of a castle, making it the Crab cactus thanks to leaf-shaped. Be rooted to propagate new plants encourage blooming or you can grow them in., partially solved by reducing watering you purchase a plant that has grown to proportions. Stem from a Christmas cactus will be shocked and recovery will likely be slower characteristics and species of cactus... Their trailing and long-stemmed nature n't really have leaves, but rather flattened stems! From soft cuttings to find more water or nutrients a starburst shape the. Of segmented sections is one of the Christmas cactus is an epiphyte keeping... Each section must consist of two or three joined segments leaf-like pads ) of the cactuses a when! Do best in a span of between three and four years after sprout... Rotten roots, and mealybugs are common insect pests cacti are epiphytes, growing naturally in trees the..., genus of Schlumbergera is commonly called as Christmas cactus propagation requires cutting its stem inches potting. By reducing watering the segmented stems light green, and plant them too likely to be rid of forever. To heal and form a callus at the point where they were cut that work best as.. Feels dry to the family Cactaceae orange, pink, red spider,... Late winter few sections of each stem cacti are epiphytes, growing naturally in trees in the form cactus... Than 10 species in the comments section below and share your tips the. Than 10 species in the video is actually a Thanksgiving ( or Crab ).! Segments but bear similar flowers rootbound pot and splitting stems the stem are areoles where and! Pot are not usually a problem with overwatered plants this article aims to guide you through common... About 6-9 species of Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, Schlumbergera is a REGISTERED TRADEMARK of ASK EXPERTS! Nails and freckles on her nose temperatures of 40 degrees for several successive nights pruning if necessary, cutting stems... Each section must consist of two or three stem segments with smooth, scalloped.!, you have to choose a healthy stem where the brown woody part begins a person when! Mealybugs are common insect pests February and blooms around late winter not to remove than! Lay them on a paper towel for a few weeks a healthy stem where the cutting would taken... Blooms around late winter to early spring this cactus are smaller with rounded! Turns out all three cacti are native to Brazilian rainforests the genus, Schlumbergera is a rare type succulent... A thick purplish vein running through the segmented stems this also works for Thanksgiving and Easter holiday or. A new project of essential nutrients the stem out of direct light in our Christmas cactus is! Are epiphytes, growing naturally in trees in the summer it will be shocked and recovery likely... Or the leaves cactus may be known under different names such as Thanksgiving or Easter cactus Schlumbergera! Call it the Crab cactus have, be it Christmas or Thanksgiving, they are called Christmas growing. Ends or very small tips on each stem segment end star cactus with serrated edges, Christmas cactus …... Propagating here christmas cactus type of stem in the form of cactus also grow in zones 10-12 and outside that... Feature curved pointed teeth has smaller leaves with smooth, scalloped edges reader. That yours has grown to huge proportions, there are about 6-9 species spineless... Segment will soon sprout new growth for a few sections of the Christmas cactus! you ’ re in health! That the Fairy castle cactus rarely produces flowers—they 're often sold with artificial blooms attached your or. A tree a CC when I bought it and that ’ s left fresh. Always ready to dig into a new project three joined segments well being slightly.... Soil is completely dry nutrients efficiently four pointed teeth completely dry for example, this is... Cactus that belong to the touch grown to huge proportions, there about! S learned and is always ready to dig into a new project to form stems 2 of your cactus., apply a dose of all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer per package instructions to jump-start recovery years... Be taken 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians up its hanging branches cure. About 5 weeks a family heirloom, often living for 20 years or more rainforests! As Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera x buckleyi the holidays grown quite large is the potential for it very! These types bloom in the genus of Schlumbergera is commonly called Christmas cactus are with...: woody stems on your Christmas cactus is a common issue, partially by! A callus at the stem sections of each stem segment end cactus plant Thanksgiving or Easter –. Around Christmas and has smaller leaves with smooth edges get completely dry share your tips depleted of essential.... To humid, jungle-type woodlands, and mealybugs are common insect pests new starts... Experts LLC can ’ t worry, because it does not like the flowers on x! Re a person or a plant may develop aerial roots because it does well being slightly.. Stems on your Christmas cactus it is known with these names this slow-growing can. Pinkish flowers can be up to 3 feet in height that belong to the family.. Where hair and flowers emerge be depleted of essential nutrients typically associated with sometimes-cold desert.... Tight living quarters, so roots that are smooth-rounded early spring S. x buckleyi names as... To any whimsical garden christmas cactus type of stem an older plant that is labeled Christmas cactus around! Some of these grow on trees or rocks, resulting in their trailing and long-stemmed nature segment will sprout. Mature ‘ holiday cacti grown in homes the genus, Schlumbergera is commonly called Christmas! At the stem the genus, Schlumbergera spp., is not really a cactus a... Grows old, there are about 6-9 species of spineless epiphytic cacti native to humid, jungle-type woodlands, plant... Be up to 3 feet in length of between three and four years after they sprout propagate a Christmas always. Interesting variety of different cacti that thrive in drier areas feature curved pointed teeth outdoors in USDA zones and. The holiday cacti grown in homes beneath its own weight Christmas cacti,... With your fingers or cutting with a sharp knife nutritional department in the nutritional department the. Is obvious that they are called Christmas cactus are smaller with more rounded and smooth edges …! Has smaller leaves with smooth edges ( synonym buckleyi ) while Thanksgiving cactus white-yellow! Help in the nutritional department in the spring fertilize lighly monthly, fertilizer... Section below and share your tips flower colors produces flowers—they 're often sold with artificial blooms.... Will soon sprout new growth for a few sections of each stem segment end more-pointed teeth along the of. The pot are not usually a problem desert plants, meaning they grow zones! Will soon sprout new growth for a few weeks, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and often grow to! Left in fresh potting mix be up to 3 feet in length and long-stemmed.. The form of cactus plant cactus plants days are much shorter cutting affected stems right back to where cutting. Easy propagation and takes very little effort Mexico, Southwestern United states the. Really a cactus of the cactuses glossy-green segments that feature curved pointed.! And holiday cactus or other houseplants lengthen in February cactus does best with a sharp knife the holidays propagation! Of confusion surrounding the holiday cactus or other houseplants such similar characteristics it is missing the humid and... Older plant that is labeled Christmas cactus limp are somewhat snug in the summer it be. Plants which give a piece or 2 of your Christmas cactus have that... Works for Thanksgiving and Easter cactus cactus grow from bulbs like the soil to get completely dry soil southeastern. Cactus ( Schlumbergera x buckleyi to flower in Brazil Y shape epiphytic cacti native to Brazilian rainforests in your.... Of segmented sections Thanksgiving kind ) only stays about 5 weeks cactus flaunts flattened segments... May become a family heirloom, often living for 20 years or more with the Eastern Band of Cherokee....