The Best Places to Buy a Christmas Cactus Online
Looking to add a festive Christmas cactus to your home or gift one to a loved one this holiday season? With their vibrant blooms and easy care requirements, Christmas cacti make a wonderful addition to any indoor space. But where’s the best place to buy one of these holiday plants online? I did some research comparing the top online retailers, and here’s my guide to finding the perfect Christmas cactus for you!
What is a Christmas Cactus?
First let’s cover the basics. Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera bridgesii) are native to Brazilian rainforests and get their name from their tendency to bloom around the Christmas season when the days start to shorten. These epiphytic plants have segmented, flattened stems with notched edges and produce colorful tubular flowers in shades of pink red, white, purple, and orange. The blooms emerge from areoles at each segment’s edge.
Christmas cacti prefer bright, indirect light and humid conditions. They make excellent houseplants and are one of the most popular holiday plants gifted and displayed during the Christmas season. Their low maintenance needs make Christmas cacti a great choice for beginner gardeners too.
Where to Buy a Christmas Cactus Online
If you’re looking to buy a Christmas cactus online this season, here are some of the best retailers offering these festive plants for delivery directly to your door.
The Sill
The Sill is one of my top recommendations for purchasing indoor plants online. This woman-owned shop offers high-quality live plants like the Christmas cactus shipped nationwide. Their cacti come in 4 inch, 6 inch, and 8 inch grow pots starting at $32. I like that you can choose between blooming and non-blooming options depending on your timeline.
The Sill also provides care instructions with each order and has fantastic customer service. Their website is full of helpful plant resources too. Plus, The Sill offers a 30-day guarantee on its products, so you can ensure your new cactus arrives happy and healthy.
Bloomscape
Bloomscape is another excellent online plant store with Christmas cacti for sale. Their 4 inch cacti start at $34, and you can select blooming or non-blooming varieties. Bloomscape lets you filter by light level and pet-friendly too, which is helpful.
Orders ship quickly, and the plants come packaged with care instructions. I’ve had great experiences purchasing from Bloomscape before and appreciate their “plant parents” community providing growing tips and tricks. Their holiday cacti would make a fun green gift.
Amazon
Searching for “Christmas cactus” on Amazon brings up many affordable options from various sellers. Prices start around $10 for small 2-3 inch starter plants. Many Prime-eligible cacti have free shipping too.
Be sure to check seller reviews before purchasing, as quality can be hit or miss buying plants on Amazon. But it can be a convenient way to get an inexpensive Christmas cactus delivered fast. Popular and top-rated options include:
- 10” Red Christmas Cactus from Plants for Pets
- Live Holiday Cactus Collection from PlantsMap
- Assorted Christmas Cactus from Houseables
Keep in mind care and arrival may vary more than specialty plant retailers. I recommend choosing expedited 1-2 day shipping on Amazon to reduce transit stress.
Home Depot
Home Depot is another retailer carries Christmas cacti in stores and online during the holidays. Their selection includes 4”, 6” and 8” pot sizes from $15-40.
One advantage of Home Depot is free shipping on orders over $45, along with easy in-store returns. Their Christmas cactus collection typically goes live in November, often with pre-order options for holiday delivery. Brands like Costa Farms and Proven Winners are common.
Lowe’s
Sister retailer Lowe’s also stocks Christmas cacti annually. Expect to pay $15-30 for a 4” to 6” plant. Lowe’s frequently runs holiday sales too. Their selection features brands like Thrifty, Emerald Isle, and Proven Winners.
I suggest browsing your local Lowe’s first since you can inspect quality and maturity in person. But ordering online for delivery is easy too. Like Home Depot, orders over $45 ship free.
Independent Nurseries
Beyond the big box stores, many independent nurseries and garden centers sell Christmas cacti in fall and winter. Supporting local businesses keeps dollars in your community.
See what festive succulents your nearby nurseries have to offer this season. You may discover some unique varieties. Local stores can also provide expert growing advice.
The benefit of buying in-person is getting to pick the perfect plant and take it home the same day. Just call ahead to confirm availability and stock.
How to Choose the Best Christmas Cactus Online
When buying a Christmas cactus online, here are some tips for picking out a healthy specimen:
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Seek plants with vibrant green, upright stems and no drooping. This signals the cactus is well-hydrated.
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Look for plump, full segments without wrinkling or damage.
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Check for signs of new growth like baby segments emerging.
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Seek lots of flower buds on the tips ready to open if wanting blooms soon.
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Pick a plant size that fits your space needs and budget. Larger is not necessarily better.
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Read seller reviews and check if guarantees are offered in case of transplant issues.
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Consider how long shipping will take and the weather forecast to avoid damage in transit.
Caring for Your New Christmas Cactus
Once your new Christmas cactus arrives, you’ll want to help it thrive. Here are some essential care tips:
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Place in bright, indirect light near a window. Avoid direct sun which can scorch leaves.
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Water thoroughly when the top few inches of soil feel dry. Take care not to overwater.
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Maintain average room humidity around 40-50%. Mist leaves or use a pebble tray.
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Keep away from hot/cold drafts like heat vents that damage buds.
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Feed monthly during growth with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
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Prune back spent flower stems after blooming to encourage new growth.
With the right care, your Christmas cactus can live for decades, rewarding you with spectacular holiday displays year after year!
The Bottom Line
How to Care for Christmas Cactus // Garden Answer
FAQ
When should I buy a Christmas cactus?
Where is the best place for a Christmas cactus?
What is the rarest color of Christmas cactus?
What two things trigger a Christmas cactus to bloom?
Where can I buy a Christmas cactus?
We purchased our Christmas Cactus in a shop on Etsy called Mirage of Eden. They have a large variety of live plants that you can easily purchase online through Etsy. Click this link here to visit their shop. The Mirage of Eden nursery is located in California, we’re in Miami, Florida.
Are Christmas cactus a good Christmas gift?
This popular, winter-flowering houseplant makes a great addition to nearly any indoor setting. Christmas cactus is not only easy to care for but propagates easily too, making it an exceptional candidate for holiday gift giving.
Where can I find beautiful cactus & succulents?
Discover and share your photos of all the beautiful cacti and succulents! Planet Desert is your one stop shop for beautiful cactus and succulent plants online! We grow our own plants and deliver them right to your door! Shop now.
Are Christmas cactus easy to care for?
Christmas cactus is not only easy to care for but propagates easily too, making it an exceptional candidate for holiday gift giving. The flowers’ colors are random. We have 3 options: red, pink, and white, please message us if you want a certain color.
Are holiday cactus heirlooms?
In fact, a beautiful Holiday cactus has become something of an heirloom for many families, with the plant being passed down through the ages. In bloom, Holiday cactus are spectacular holiday plants, showing off their colorful blossoms like jewels at the end of their stems.
How do you care for a cactus plant?
Porous, well-drained. This cactus prefers cooler temperatures, so avoid placing it close to any heat sources. But also protect the plant from frost and freezing temperatures. Try not to overwater the plant, but you can mist its leaves every other day to maintain its preferred level of humidity (50-60%).