Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
Not all cactus plants come from the desert. The one I treasure most comes from the mountains of Brazil, where it grows, like the orchid, in the crotches of trees. I’m referring to the oft-mislabeled Schlumbergera truncate which probably belongs in your window garden:
From late October through November, this “Thanksgiving” cactus puts on a show that mocks every other resident of the window garden, when some two dozen fuschia-like flowers drip from all the leaf tips which cover the five-inch pot. If you don’t already own one of these beauties in purple, pink, red, yellow, or white, why not obtain a fine specimen now? Your florist is sure to have one already in bud or bloom at this time. And what an investment! The plant increases in both grace and dignity with each passing year.
Unlike desert cacti, truncate is all the better for a humus-rich but well-draining soil. My own three flourish in two parts leaf mold and one part perlite. A commercial potting mix, if it drains well, is as good.
For better growth, and hence more blossoms, I pamper my cacti during the warm-weather months. They lounge and luxuriate on the shady and sheltered front porch all summer long , and I keep their fountainous growth coming along with every-other-day waterings, and frequent applications of all-purpose plant food.
Summer is also the time to pinch off segments to encourage branching. Broken segments, 3 to a 4-inch pot, can be rooted for new plants. These often flower their very first year.
Truncate, like the poinsettia, produces its flowers in response to shortening day-lengths. In September all food must be withheld, and watering decreased to once weekly. Bring the plant to a cool, dim windowsill in October, and leave it there until every leaf tip is lit with color. If your plant refuses to set buds, give it long, 12-hour nights in a dark closet for thee weeks, and only dim light during daytime.
When buds begin to open, bring the cactus to a light, cool place, and preferably on a perch of some sort where its pendulous stems can freely cascade. Here at a Garden for the House, purple ‘Majestic’ goes on a plant stand set somewhat back from the sunny southern window in the parlor. Rose ‘Amethyst’ and carmine ‘Maria’ observe the world from old-fashioned lamp brackets in the library and music room window gardens. Cool temperatures and weekly water insure a lush and lengthy bloom period that lasts from four to six weeks.
When flowering ceases, decrease water and move the cacti back to the sunny window garden. That is, until warm weather invites its return to a shaded, sheltered position outdoors.
Florists commonly mislabel the Thanksgiving cactus, Schlumbergera truncate, as the Christmas one. The true “Christmas” cactus is Schlumbergera bridgesii. Here is how you can tell the difference between the two (even if your florist can’t): Truncate has two or three jagged points on every leaf segment, and its bloom time, under natural circumstances, runs from late October through November. Bridgesii has smooth, not jagged, leaf segments, and typically flowers in January or February.
The Christmas cactus is very difficult to find these days. But that’s not a problem, because the Thanksgiving-type offers a much broader color-range than its orangey, late-blooming relative. You might enjoy one of these truncate varieties:
Purple – Christmas Charm, Christmas Magic, Sabrina, Majestic
Yellow – Gold Charm
White – Snowflake, Snowfire
Rose-Pink – Lavender Doll, Amethyst, Sonja, Lavender Lady
Red – Kris Kringle, Red Radiance, Maria, Koeninger, Norris
If you have any questions or comments about this cactus that mitigates all of November’s dullness, please post them below.
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Samantha says
Well, that's an eye-opener! Since my red “Christmas” cactus has jagged segments, I guess its really the “Thanksgiving” kind. It is all budded up now, and on the verge of bloom. Can't wait!
Justin says
Kevin, I was amused to read of the different varieties of the thanksgiving cactus. Why can't florists and garden centers ever label the plants by variety-name? Its always “Red Christmas Cactus” or “White Christmas Cactus,” etc.
This really ticks. me. off.
Gregory says
Is there a special medium (vermiculite?) required for truncate propagation?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Dear ticked-off-Justin: It's the growers, rather than the florists and garden centers, who are to blame. And until we who care about named varieties make a fuss, they will continue to label plants insufficiently (and sometimes inaccurately).
Gregory – I root mine in the same kind of soil the plants grow in.
Samantha – so glad you've identified your cactus as the Thanksgiving one.
Tammy says
Wow, thanks for this info. I rescued one of these from a trash can when I was in college 25 years ago — it was a pathetic little thing. Today it's about 2 feet in diameter and blooms up a storm every November. And its offspring have been given to countless friends. Gorgeous, gorgeous plant — and didn't know 'til now that it's not a Christmas cactus!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Tammy – nice to meet you! And, what a happy story! I can only imagine how beautiful a plant of that age must be.
Hope to “see” you again!
Donna says
I'd always heard that the Christmas – er – Thanksgiving cactus made a nice heirloom plant, one that could be passed down from generation to generation. Tammy's plant confirms this hearsay!
Ryan says
Kevin:
Congratulations on your terrific website. I just came across it. I have just moved into a big house and will use some of your many ideas to brighten it up. Ryan
Katreader says
My mom got me one a few years ago. It had always done well-blooming at Thanksgiving. I'm not the best at watering my indoor plants ( I know, for shame!) And I actually thought I lost this beautiful plant a few months ago when Calumet, one of my cats, knocked it over and a tray landed on top of it-squashing it. The poor thing looked pitiful, but I put it back & hoped for the best. Imagine my surprise today when I went to water my plants and saw the cactus starting to bloom. What a great plant!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Ryan – Welcome! So glad you are finding ideas here for your new home.
Katreader – LOL! What a story — especially the tray part! I guess Schlumbergera is one tenacious plant!
John says
My thanksgiving cactus blooms in November, and again a few months later. Is that unusual?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
John – sorry for the delayed response! No, reblooming in early spring is not at all unusual for truncate, although the show at that time is not so glamorous as the one in November.
DebbieP says
Hi Kevin! I'm so very happy I stumbled on this blog!! Over 15 years ago my mother-in-law gave me a Thanksgiving cactus. Who knows how old her original plant was!! As soon as I finished reading your article, I quickly ran for the cactus to correctly identify it. Now I must find a cool, dim window to set it in front of. I just wanted to thank you for all your wonderful wisdom 🙂
Susan Massucci says
I just wanted to comment on my Thanksgiving cactus.
I've had it for 12 years (it is a cutting off my mother's plant which she had had for 20 years at that point – which means my portion of the plant is now 30+ years old). It is roughly 3.5 feet across. And is always lives indoors in an East-facing window, in Michigan. The stems have gotten so old that they have have turned woody at the base in order to support itself.
I water it with the “left-over” water from my kids nighttime cups (perhaps 1/2 cup) every morning. When it looks limp I give it a bigger drink with a small watering can (1x per month). 2x a year (spring and fall) I give it a complete drink outside, where I spray the leaves to clean the dust off the leaves and soak the entire pot. At these times, I also provide fertilizer.
It consistently blooms throughout the year. There are almost always some sort of buds, flowers or growth occurring. It blooms at the following times:
1. 2 weeks before Thanksgiving,
2. Before Christmas
3. Late January or early February(half the plant blooms, then I turn it and the other half will bloom a week or so later)
4. Easter
5. May/Mother's Day (it is in bloom as we speak – it is May 10
6. Once during the summer – In the summer, the blooming subsides and the major growth takes over.
Because the plant is so large, some of the branches are occasional bumped and snapped off by the kids as they walk by – this is probably good, is it promotes new growth for the plant inside (makes it bushier), instead of just making it longer. Although at 3.5 feet across, it is pretty much a bush in and of itself.
Over the past years, I have transplanted it every spring into a new and bigger pot. Some years I got bigger pots for it to grow into and allowed it 2 years. The current pot it is in (14″), I hope will allow for 3 years of growth. After that, I am not sure what I will do. It takes all my strength to lift it when it is full of dirt, plant and water, to get it back on its stand.
I hope this helps those that are looking for tips on getting their plants to bloom/re-bloom. I believe the best advice is limited watering, but enough to keep the plant stable and hydrated. In the winter, the heat dries the plant out and it needs water, but not a lot. The little bit I give it from the cups, seems to be just enough (and I rotate, where I dump it).
Good Luck!
Sue
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Sue – Sorry I missed your great comment from last May! Normally gmail notifies me when someone posts at A Garden for the House.
Anyway, what a cacti you have. My truncate often blooms a little in April, but that's it until October/November.
Eliza J says
That flower is lovely. I have always wanted an orchid in the house, but don't have the sunny window for one ~ I'm in a pine forest… I grew a Streptocarpus this year outside in a pot, and brought it indoors a month ago not knowing if it would survive. I have it under grow lights. It has continued to blossom with beautiful purple flowers. I have looked this plant up on line and haven't found the exact same flower yet. I hope it continues to thrive as the flowers are beautiful.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Eliza J – I happen to love Streptocarpus. It performs fantastically under lights, and rarely wants a rest, just like its kin the African violet.
Orchids have never truly appealed to me. I have two, and while they bloom for me once each year, the plants offer no visual interest when they are resting. The Thanksgiving cactus on the other hand is lovely even without flowers.
badger gardener says
My best windows face north and west so maybe this is something I could actually get to flower?
Elaine M. says
About a year ago my 90 year old Mother gave me two very large “Christmas Cactus” that she could no longer care for and has had forever. One, that I now know is actually a “Thanksgiving Cactus,” is blooming in my windowsill. The other, which bloomed this summer and is sitting in the breezeway, has little red fruits where the blossoms were. I just today told my sister she could have it the next time she was here because I didn't need two. After reading your post I looked at it, and it is a true “Christmas Cactus!” It has oblong smooth leaves just like you said. Now I will have to go back on my word and keep it! I wish I could give starts to you and all your readers!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
badger gardener – Give it a try! If you obtain one now, and it is already in bud or bloom, you can place it in your north window. Afterward, set it in your west exposure. It is not a fussy plant.
Elaine M. – You are lucky indeed. But now I'm wondering, since you mentioned bloom-time was in summer, if you might have the Easter cactus (Schlumbergera gaertneri). This one has leaves similar to the Christmas cactus. But the plant blooms in April/May, and its flowers are not fuchsia-like, but daisy-like.
Whether yours is the Christmas or Easter cactus, cherish it. Neither plant is easy to find!
Elaine M. says
I thought that too. But this bloomed white, fuschia like flowers. As I said, it then developed small red fruits, which are still on the plant. I found pics on the web of the Easter cactus, and that is not what this is. I can't seem to find any good pictures of a true Christmas Cactus.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Elaine M. – Your comment is music to my ears!
On the web there are few pictures of the REAL Christmas cactus because it is so rare. You are lucky-lucky to have inherited one.
You might like to propagate this Schlumbergera bridgesii in the spring. As insurance!
Gen says
Found your blog via Logees… loving it!
I have both the true Christmas Cactus (from my great grandmother), which are getting enormous and need to be propagated before they burst out of their pots, and several different Thanksgiving (“Holiday”) cactus, including a beautiful yellow one. Love them all!
Question: The Thanksgiving cactus is also called a Zygocactus, I believe? Or is that something else entirely?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Gen – Welcome. You are right — the Thanksgiving cactus was formerly called “Zygocactus” for its symmetrically irregular (zygomorphic) blossoms.
You (and also reader Elaine M.) are so fortunate to have inherited a Christmas cactus. I certainly covet one!
Susanne says
Th e topic of the different cacti came up at lunch today. I had no idea there was a Thanksgiving or Easter cactus. When I got home, I looked carefully at mine. They are Christmas cacti! They came from my grandmother’s Christmas cactus. Since her death in 1983, my cousin has kept her CC alive. I got my starts from it in 2009. They seem to like it here as they have bloomed during the Christmas season for the past three years.
Karisa says
Just called my local nursery. He said he has 260 of them! 6″ pot for $7.99. I love my orchids and violets, but I will be adding one of these today. Thanks so much for this post. So much valuable information. Kevin, I live in Oklahoma. Our summers are very, very hot. Would you still put it outside in the summer shade?
Roberta Adams says
Kevin,
Today is November 1st, 2016.
In reading today’s email blog I’ve noticed you have been blogging
since 2011. I’m just thinking about all the information and experience
that I have missed.
Have you by chance ever written a book on GARDENING, or RECIPE
book?
I need more information on starting my seeds this winter. I live in Michigan,
ZONE B.
I have my milk jugs saved. Could you perhaps share information on seeds you use. ( mail order company name etc.)
Thank you for any help, and for your DILIGENCE.
Roberta
Colleen says
Wow, I have my Thanksgiving cactus in a South facing window…..been there for over a year and is just thriving. What’s up with that?? Bloomed at least 4 different times this past year. Love it, and won’t be moving it as it seems to love right where it is.
susan simblet says
i have a bridgesii cacti which i have had for many years and it has not flowered for last two years,normally has loads of flowers .Don”t know whats wrong with it,any ideas