What is a Christmas Cactus?

The Christmas Cactus is an original cacti that gained its name because of its nature to bloom with gorgeous flowers around holiday time. The flowers are usually shades of white, pink, purple or red.



It is a member of the Schlumbergera genus and it is native in the forests of Brazil, South America. Originally, they grow as epiphytes, plants that grow on other objects or plants; however, there are many hybrids that are grown in indoor gardens and are a favorite among houseplants.

Caring for Your Holiday Cactus

It is important to realize that this particular cactus is native to a tropical area; therefore, its requirements are much different that cactuses that grow naturally in the Southwestern region of the United States.

Here are some tips for caring for your tropical cactus…

• Light and Temperature

Choose a spot that is warm (not hot) and provide it with indirect sunlight. The plant will do best in temperatures between 60 to 70 degrees.

• Water Requirements

Keep the soil moist during the growing season which usually starts around April and ends in January. From January through March, the plant goes dormant and the desire for watering greatly decreases. During this time, you should only water the plant occasionally.

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