Schlumbergera
( shlum - ber - JEER - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of cacti includes species which need partial shade or bright indirect light and regular water to perform well. They are native to coastal mountain ranges of southeastern Brazil, where they grow in high-altitude moist Atlantic forests. In their native habitat, they grow as epiphytes on moss-covered tree branches or lithophytes in rock crevices. These plants are famous for their profuse, colorful flowers that bloom in wintertime, hence their common name 'Holiday Cactus'.
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Schlumbergera Species and Varietals
The genus Schlumbergera is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, and includes between 6 and 9 species. The plants in this genus are related to those in Mammillaria (Pincushion Cactus) and Epiphyllum (Orchid Cactus). Schlumbergera grow best in USDA hardiness zones 10-12 or Sunset growing zones 16, 17, 21-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Schlumbergera x buckleyi (Schlumbergera bridgesii) (Christmas Cactus, True Christmas Cactus, Holiday Cactus) These plants reach up to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity. Branches have an arching form and are made up of bright green, flat joints. The segments are rounded and scalloped instead of pointed as in other species. It can produce hundreds of pink flowers in wintertime. |
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Schlumbergera truncata (Crab Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, Holiday Cactus, False Christmas Cactus, Flor-de-Maio) This plant is native to Brazil, and gets to 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide. Stems consist of joints that are bright green and armed with two teeth at the end of each branch. Cultivars include those with white ('White Christmas', 'Christmas Charm', 'Madame Butterfly'), red ('Bristol Amber', 'Tristan', 'Danish Flag'), pink or salmon ('Mary', 'Chelsea', 'Bridal Veil'), purple ('Lavender Doll', 'Purple Dancer'), and yellow or gold ('Gold Charm', 'Sanibel', 'Lemon Swirl') flowers. |
Caring for Schlumbergera
Plant Schlumbergera in a space in the landscape that receives partial shade; ideally, they appreciate between 4 and 6 hours of sun each day, with some shade in the afternoon to avoid scorching foliage. These cacti do well in areas under overhangs or trees, and need some protection from intense, direct sun and cooling winds. Ensure that soil is well-draining and has a pH of between 5.0 and 6.5 (acidic to neutral). Schlumbergera cacti are epiphytic, meaning that they grow on trees, absorbing nutrients from rain and debris instead of soil. They do well in an Orchid-like potting mix with plenty of bark. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, allow the top few inches to dry out between waterings, and ensure that all excess water is allowed to drain away from the root zone. Overwatering and poor drainage can cause bud drop and root rot issues.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. To ensure buds will set and bloom, give the plant cooler nighttime temperatures (50-55 degrees Fahrenheit) and ensure that it receives about 12-24 hours of darkness per day during the month of November. Over the winter months, ensure that they are not exposed to frost conditions. They can either be covered with burlap or frost cloth for short periods, or be brought into a more sheltered location like a greenhouse or indoors over the winter months to ensure survival. Growing Schlumbergera in containers easily allows for this accommodation. Holiday Cacti are typically long-lived perennial plants, able to survive in the landscape for 20 to 30 years or more with proper care. They reach full structural maturity in 5 to 10 years, though they can begin flowering when they are between 1 and 3 years old.
Caring for Schlumbergera in Containers
Holiday cacti are commonly grown in containers or hanging baskets. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix like Orchid bark or a combination of coco coir, perlite, bark and pumice. Place the container in an area that gets partial sun; ideally, they appreciate between 4 and 6 hours of sun each day, with some shade in the afternoon to avoid scorching foliage. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Caring for Schlumbergera Indoors
Holiday Cacti are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and do not handle cold temperatures well. In areas that experience frost or consistent temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit on a regular basis, these plants should be grown indoors. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix like Orchid bark or a combination of coco coir, perlite, bark and pumice. Place the container in a space that receives bright, indirect light or filtered sun. To thrive indoors, these cacti do well near an east-facing window to avoid scorching. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. To ensure buds will set and bloom, give the plant cooler nighttime temperatures (50-55 degrees Fahrenheit) and ensure that it receives about 12-24 hours of darkness per day during the month of November. Over the winter months, ensure that they are not exposed to frost conditions. They can either be covered with burlap or frost cloth for short periods, or be brought into a more sheltered location like a greenhouse or indoors over the winter months to ensure survival. Growing Schlumbergera in containers easily allows for this accommodation. Holiday Cacti are typically long-lived perennial plants, able to survive in the landscape for 20 to 30 years or more with proper care. They reach full structural maturity in 5 to 10 years, though they can begin flowering when they are between 1 and 3 years old.
Caring for Schlumbergera in Containers
Holiday cacti are commonly grown in containers or hanging baskets. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix like Orchid bark or a combination of coco coir, perlite, bark and pumice. Place the container in an area that gets partial sun; ideally, they appreciate between 4 and 6 hours of sun each day, with some shade in the afternoon to avoid scorching foliage. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Caring for Schlumbergera Indoors
Holiday Cacti are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and do not handle cold temperatures well. In areas that experience frost or consistent temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit on a regular basis, these plants should be grown indoors. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix like Orchid bark or a combination of coco coir, perlite, bark and pumice. Place the container in a space that receives bright, indirect light or filtered sun. To thrive indoors, these cacti do well near an east-facing window to avoid scorching. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Propagation
Schlumbergera, or Holiday Cacti, are most easily propagated through taking and rooting cuttings from an existing plant. The best time of the year to complete this process is in spring or summer, when the plant is in its active growing phase. To propagate your Holiday Cacti through cutting, follow the directions below:
Propagating Schlumbergera by Cutting
Propagating Schlumbergera by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. An ideal substrate for propagation of Holiday Cacti cuttings is a light orchid bark mix or a combination of coco coir, perlite, bark and pumice.
- In spring or summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Twist off a healthy stem section with between 2 and 5 segments, and then lay it out to callous over for 24 hours.
- Make a hole in the planting medium and plant the cutting about an inch deep. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. It should be kept in warm, sunny conditions in a protected area. Water whenever the soil is dry under the top layer. After about three to four weeks have passed, the cutting should be rooted. New growth indicates the formation of roots.
- Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the propagated plant can be hardened off and then planted outdoors or kept indoors as a houseplant.
Problems and Pests
Schlumbergera plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape, in greenhouses, or indoors:
- Mealybugs
- Spider Mites
- Thrips
- Fungus Gnats
- Root Rot
- Stem Rot
- Botrytis Blight
Gallery
These succulents are popular container plants for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
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Flowers come in reds, pinks, and whites.
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Schlumbergera is easily propagated through cuttings.
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Videos
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 595, Schlumbergera
