The Christmas cactus is a popular holiday houseplant known for its colorful blooms and cascading stems. But there are actually different varieties of holiday cacti that look similar. So how do you know if you truly have a Christmas cactus?
This article will teach you how to identify a true Christmas cactus by looking at pictures of its distinct features. We’ll also provide growing tips to get the most flowers on your Christmas cactus this holiday season.
What Does a Christmas Cactus Look Like?
There are a few key features that set apart a Christmas cactus from other holiday cacti varieties
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Stems – Christmas cactus stems grow in rounded, flattened segments rather than in angles. The stems also form cascading branches that hang down
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Leaves – The leaves are smooth, oval-shaped and have scalloped toothed edges. They grow directly from the stem in two symmetrical rows on either side.
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Flowers – Around the holidays, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom at the ends of the stems. Flower colors include red, pink, white, yellow, orange, and even purple!
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True Flowers – True Christmas cactus flowers have stamens (the pollen-producing part) that protrude prominently from the center of each flower segment.
Now let’s take a closer look at pictures of each of these defining features of the Christmas cactus.
Pictures of Distinctive Christmas Cactus Features
Stems
The stems are made up of flattened, oval segments that connect to form cascading branches:
![Christmas cactus with segmented, flattened stems][]
Image source: Pinterest
Leaves
The leaves are smooth (no spines), oval-shaped with slightly scalloped edges: ![Christmas cactus leaf details][]
Image source: iStockPhoto
Flowers
Trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in colors like pink, red, white, purple, orange, and yellow:![Assorted colors of Christmas cactus flowers][]
Image source: Getty Images
True Flowers
Stamens visibly protrude from the center of each flower segment:![Christmas cactus stamens][]
Image source: Getty Images
Now that you know what features to look for, let’s compare the Christmas cactus to two other common holiday cacti.
How to Tell Apart 3 Holiday Cacti
There are 3 main varieties of holiday cacti:
Christmas cactus – Schlumbergera bridgesii
Thanksgiving cactus – Schlumbergera truncata
Easter cactus – Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri
While similar, there are subtle differences between each. Here’s a comparison:
| Feature | Christmas Cactus | Thanksgiving Cactus | Easter Cactus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stem shape | Flattened oval segments | Sharper sawtooth segments | Flattened segments |
| Leaves | Smooth, scalloped, symmetrical | Smooth but less scalloped, symmetrical | Frilly, asymmetrical |
| Flowers | Red, pink, white | Red, pink, white | White, pink, red, purple |
| Flowers stamens | Prominent | Less prominent | Smaller stamens |
| Bloom time | November – January | October – November | March – May |
Looking at pictures side-by-side makes it easier to distinguish between the three cacti:![Comparing features of 3 holiday cacti][]
Image source: Flickr
Growing Tips for Christmas Cactus
To get the most colorful holiday blooms from your Christmas cactus, follow these care tips:
- Place in bright, indirect light indoors. Too much direct sun can burn the leaves.
- Water thoroughly then allow the soil to dry between waterings. Too much moisture can lead to root rot.
- Feed monthly during the spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
- Keep temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Cool night temps help initiate flowering.
- Prune back stems after blooming to encourage branching and more flowers.
With the right growing conditions, your Christmas cactus should reward you with gorgeous blooms year after year during the holiday season.
Common Questions about Christmas Cactus Identification
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about telling apart Christmas cactus from other holiday cacti:
How can you tell a Christmas cactus from a Thanksgiving cactus?
Christmas cacti have smoother, scalloped oval leaves, more strongly cascading stems, and flowers with prominent stamens. Thanksgiving cacti have more jagged sawtooth leaves, stiffer stems, and flowers with smaller stamens.
What is the difference between a Christmas cactus and an Easter cactus?
Christmas cactus leaves grow symmetrically on either side of the stem. Easter cactus leaves grow in a more random, asymmetrical fashion. Easter cactus also blooms much later in the spring.
Can you identify a Christmas cactus when it is not blooming?
Yes, look for the flattened oval stem segments, smooth symmetrical leaves with scalloped edges, and cascading branches. This can help distinguish it from other holiday cacti when flowers are not present.
How often does a Christmas cactus bloom?
Given proper care and conditions, Christmas cactus will generally bloom annually, producing flowers sometime between late November and January. After blooming the plant takes time to set buds for the next flowering.
How long do Christmas cactus flowers last?
Individual Christmas cactus flowers last about 1-2 weeks before wilting. However, flowers open sequentially over a period of several weeks, so you can enjoy blooms for 4-6 weeks typically.
Enjoy the Festive Beauty of the Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus makes a perfect holiday gift or seasonal display with its elegant cascading branches and colorful flowers. Now that you know what features positively identify it, you can give your Christmas cactus the care it needs to thrive and brightly bloom each holiday season.