The Christmas cactus is a beloved holiday plant known for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms and cascading stems. With its festive flowers and look, it’s no wonder this cactus has become a staple decoration come Christmastime.
But there are a few similar looking cacti that people often confuse with the true Christmas cactus. So how do you know if you have an authentic Schlumbergera bridgesii?
In this article, I’ll walk through the key features that set apart the Christmas cactus from other holiday cacti. I’ll also share some growing tips to help your Christmas cactus thrive and flower beautifully this season.
What Does a Real Christmas Cactus Look Like?
There are a few distinguishing characteristics to look for when identifying a Christmas cactus
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Stems: Segments are flattened and oval-shaped, forming cascading branches that hang down
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Leaves: Smooth, oval leaves have scalloped, toothed edges. They grow symmetrically on both sides of the stem.
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Flowers: Around the holidays, tubular flowers bloom at the ends of stems in shades of red, pink, white, orange, yellow and purple.
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True flowers Stamens visibly protrude from the center of each flower segment This sets it apart from other holiday cacti
Let’s explore pictures of each of these defining features. This will help you positively identify the Christmas cactus.
Christmas Cactus Stems
The stems have a flattened oval shape and connect to form cascading branches:
Christmas cactus with segmented, flattened stems
Christmas Cactus Leaves
The smooth, oval leaves have lightly scalloped edges:
Christmas Cactus Flowers
Pink, red, orange, purple, yellow, and white are some of the colors of the flowers that bloom:
Assorted colors of Christmas cactus flowers
True Christmas Cactus Flowers
Notice the prominent stamens extending from each flower segment – this is a key identifier:
Let’s look at the Christmas cactus next to some other common holiday cacti species to see what makes it different.
Distinguishing Between 3 Holiday Cacti Varieties
The Christmas cactus is the most well-known holiday cactus, but people often mix it up with two others:
- Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)
- Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri)
Here is a helpful comparison chart:
| Feature | Christmas Cactus | Thanksgiving Cactus | Easter Cactus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stem shape | Flattened oval segments | Sharper sawtooth segments | Flattened segments |
| Leaves | Smooth, scalloped, symmetrical | Less scalloped, symmetrical | Frilly, asymmetrical |
| Flowers | Red, pink, white | Red, pink, white | White, pink, purple |
| Flower stamens | Prominent | Less prominent | Small stamens |
| Bloom time | Nov – Jan | Oct – Nov | Mar – May |
Looking at pictures makes it easier to tell the difference between the three holiday cacti:
Comparing features of 3 holiday cacti
Now that you understand the distinguishing traits, let’s go over some growing and care tips for the Christmas cactus.
How to Care for Your Christmas Cactus
To encourage vibrant blooms year after year, follow these tips for growing healthy Christmas cacti:
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Light: Bright, indirect light indoors. Direct sun can burn the leaves.
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Water: Water thoroughly then allow soil to dry before watering again. Too much moisture causes root rot.
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Temperature: Ideal range is 65-75°F (18-24°C). Cool nights initiate flower budding.
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Fertilizer: Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer monthly in spring and summer.
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Pruning: Cut back stems after blooming to promote branching and more flowers.
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Soil: Well-draining potting mix, amended with perlite or sand for drainage.
With the right conditions, your Christmas cactus will reward you with its spectacular holiday blooms year after year. The cascading branches and colorful flowers will infuse your home with festive cheer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Cactus Identification
Here are answers to some common questions about telling apart the Christmas cactus:
How do you distinguish it from the Thanksgiving cactus?
The Christmas cactus has smoother leaves with more scalloped edges. Its stems cascade more dramatically. The stamens on its flowers are also much more prominent.
What sets it apart from the Easter cactus?
The Easter cactus has more irregular, asymmetrical leaf growth compared to the symmetrical leaves of the Christmas cactus. The Easter cactus also blooms later in spring rather than winter.
Can you identify it when it’s not in bloom?
Yes, look for the signature flattened, cascading stems and smooth, scalloped oval leaves. These physical traits help distinguish it from other lookalikes when flowers are not present.
How often does it bloom?
Given proper conditions, the Christmas cactus will generally flower annually, with blooms appearing from late November through January. After flowering it takes time to set new buds for the next season.
The Beautiful and Unique Christmas Cactus
With its trailing stems and colorful tubular flowers, the Christmas cactus is a special holiday plant. Now that you know how to definitively identify it, you can give your Christmas cactus the care it needs to thrive and brightly flower. The payoff will be enjoying its festive beauty and vibrancy each holiday season.
They also have different stems:
- The real Christmas cactus has a flattened stem part with edges that are smooth and scalloped.
- The stem of the Thanksgiving cactus is very toothy, with two to four sharp teeth.
- The Thanksgiving cactus has stems that grow straight up at first and then arch. The Christmas cactus stems hang down like a pendant.
Most nurseries and stores actually sell the Thanksgiving cactus (not the Christmas cactus) because it blooms around American Thanksgiving. The Christmas cactus is also more difficult to ship as the stems are more fragile and often break.
Look at their bloom color and the way the flower blooms:
- When Christmas comes around, the Christmas cactus blooms with magenta flowers that hang down. The flowering range is late November through early February.
- The flowers on the Thanksgiving cactus face outward, and the plant comes in different colors. This plant blooms nearer to Thanksgiving than the Christmas cactus. It may bloom as late as October or as early as November.