Easter cactus plants, also known as Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri, are beautiful flowering succulents that make excellent houseplants With showy blooms in shades of red, pink, orange, and white, Easter cactus plants are prized for their late winter to early spring flowers that typically bloom around Easter time.
If you’re looking to add an Easter cactus to your home or gift one to a fellow plant lover, you may be wondering where to find these delightful plants for sale near you. I’ve put together this complete guide on where to buy Easter cactus plants locally so your new flowering friend can brighten up your home just in time for spring
What is an Easter Cactus?
Native to South America, Easter cactus is an epiphytic cactus that grows on trees or rocks in its natural habitat. Unlike regular cacti from the Cactaceae family that thrive in arid desert climates, the Easter cactus is a tropical plant that prefers warm, humid environments.
This popular houseplant is known for its flattened, cascading stems that give it a trailing appearance. During its bloom time from February through May, Easter cacti produce colorful flowers at the ends of their stems that last for several weeks. When not in bloom, the plants showcase lush green segmented stems.
Beyond its yearly blooming season, Easter cactus makes an easy-care, low-maintenance indoor plant. It adapts well to average home environments and can live for many years with proper care. The plants stay relatively compact, growing to about 12-15 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide.
When and Why to Buy an Easter Cactus
The best time to purchase an Easter cactus is in late winter through early spring before it begins flowering. This gives you plenty of time to get the plant adjusted to your home so it can put on a gorgeous blooming display around Easter and into spring.
You may also find Easter cacti for sale while they are in flower, which allows you to enjoy their colorful blooms right away. Just be prepared to properly care for the plant after its initial bloom period is over.
There are many great reasons to add an Easter cactus to your indoor plant collection:
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Long-lasting spring blooms: The showy red, pink, orange, or white flowers last for several weeks, brightening up your home in spring.
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Low maintenance needs: Easter cacti are easy to care for and quite forgiving of occasional lapses in proper care.
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Compact size: These plants stay relatively small and work perfectly on windowsills or small plant stands.
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Air purification: Like many houseplants, Easter cacti help filter your indoor air.
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Stress relief: Caring for plants has been shown to reduce anxiety and boost moods.
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Long lifespan: With proper care, Easter cacti can live for decades and may even outlive their owners!
Where to Find Easter Cactus Plants for Sale Nearby
If an Easter cactus sounds like the perfect addition to your plant family, here are some great places to find them for sale in your local area:
Greenhouses and Nurseries
Greenhouses and nurseries that specialize in indoor and outdoor plants usually carry a nice selection of flowering houseplants like Easter cacti. Visit your local garden centers in late winter and early spring to find the plants loaded with buds ready to bloom.
Some greenhouses to check out include:
- Angle Acres Greenhouse (Orchard Park, NY)
- Arbordale Nurseries (East Amherst, NY)
- GardenVillage Blooms (West Seneca, NY)
- Grabber and Sons Nursery (Cheektowaga, NY)
- Lavocat’s Family Greenhouse (East Amherst, NY)
- Lockwood’s Greenhouse (Hamburg, NY)
- Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouse (Williamsville, NY)
- Russell’s Tree and Shrub Farm (East Amherst, NY)
- Rudolph Galley Greenhouse (West Seneca, NY)
- The Plant Shack (East Aurora, NY)
Local Plant Shops
Beyond greenhouses, many local plant shops and boutiques stock flowering Easter cacti in late winter and early spring. These small businesses are a great place to get helpful guidance in selecting and caring for your new plant.
Some local plant shops to check out include:
- Daddy’s Plants (Buffalo, NY)
- Life is Succulent (Amherst, NY)
- Put a Plant On It (Buffalo, NY)
- Pure Roots Cafe and Plant Shop (Hamburg, NY)
- The Plant Shack (Lewiston, NY)
- Urban Roots (Buffalo, NY)
- You Grow Girl (North Tonawanda, NY)
Floral Shops
Local floral shops often carry a selection of blooming Easter cactus plants in late winter and early spring. Call ahead to see if your local shop has any Easter cacti in stock. Some options to check out:
- Anything Goes (Williamsville, NY)
- Eastern Hills Florist (Williamsville, NY)
- Sweet Jenny’s Flower Shoppe (Williamsville, NY)
- Ulrich’s Florist (Tonawanda, NY)
Hardware Stores
Many big box hardware stores bring in flowering plants and blooming Easter cacti for spring. Check the garden center sections at stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s in late winter for Easter cactus plants.
Grocery Stores
Some grocery stores like Wegmans, Tops, and Walmart stock flowering plants in spring, including blooming Easter cacti around the Easter holiday. Browse the floral sections of your local grocery store to see if any Easter cacti are available.
Online Stores
Can’t find any Easter cactus plants locally? Consider ordering one online and having it shipped to your door. Reputable online plant stores include:
- Bloomscape
- The Sill
- Plantiful
- Plants.com
- Logee’s Greenhouses
- Gabriella Plants
- Glasshouse Works
Be sure to order early, as shipping can take several days and you want your plant to arrive in time to bloom for Easter.
What to Look for When Buying an Easter Cactus
When searching for the perfect Easter cactus to bring home, keep these tips in mind:
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Seek out plants with plenty of flower buds that are ready to open soon. Easter cacti bloom progressively, so buds that haven’t opened indicate more flowers to come.
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Look for plants with healthy green stems that are firm and have no discoloration or signs of disease. Avoid any plants with very limp, damaged, or excessively dry stems.
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Select an Easter cactus with a balanced shape and evenly distributed stems radiating out from the base. Top-heavy plants with all the growth only on top are more prone to breakage.
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Easter cacti sold in 4 to 6 inch pots are ideal. Avoid tiny pots where the plant is root-bound or overly large pots where the cactus might struggle to re-establish after transplanting.
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When possible, buy from reputable sellers who properly care for their plants, like local greenhouse growers and plant shops. Big box stores are more hit-or-miss.
Easter Cactus Plant Care Tips
Once you get your Easter cactus home, provide proper care to keep it looking its best:
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Place in a spot with bright indirect light. Some early morning or late day direct sun is okay. Too much direct sun can scorch the flattened stems.
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Water thoroughly when the top 50% of the soil is dry. Take care not to overwater or leaves may turn yellow and drop.
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Humidity is important! Mist the plant daily or place on a pebble tray with water.
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Use a well-draining potting mix and pot with drainage holes to prevent root rot.
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Feed monthly in spring and summer with a diluted blooming houseplant fertilizer.
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Keep away from heat vents and cold drafts. Temperatures of 65-75°F are ideal.
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After flowering, prune back stems by up to 1/3rd their length to encourage new growth.
Follow these care tips and your Easter cactus will thrive indoors, providing years of enjoyment!
Common Questions About Easter Cactus Plants
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about caring for Easter cactus plants:
How often do Easter cacti bloom?
In ideal conditions, Easter cacti will bloom yearly in late winter to early spring. Plants tend to bloom more reliably when somewhat pot-bound.
Why won’t my Easter cactus bloom?
Insufficient light, overwatering, overfertilizing, and temperature extremes can prevent blooming. Try increasing light exposure,
