Holiday Cacti Care

Holiday cacti in full bloom

My Christmas cactus is blooming at Halloween, but it's not Christmas. Is something wrong with it?

Not at all! Holiday cacti - Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii), Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), and Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri) - respond to the shortening day lengths and set buds (not the holiday calendar).

Not true cacti, these long-lived, much-loved plants are epiphytic in nature, growing in the branches of trees in their native tropical forest rain habitats.

The need for high humidity, bright but filtered light, and somewhat moist soil makes these plants fairly easy to grow and reliable re-bloomers if conditions are proper.

Read more on our Extension webpage Holiday Cacti