how to propagate thanksgiving cactus. The Thanksgiving cactus is a lovely seasonal decoration for your dining room table, living room windowsill, or mantel. The succulent, which blooms in vivid hues, requires little maintenance throughout the year and is a visual treat.
The Thanksgiving Cactus: What Is It?
The Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), originally from Brazil, is a low-maintenance houseplant that flowers around November. A Thanksgiving cactus can be identified by its crab-claw-like serrated green leaves and its red or magenta tube-shaped flowers. The Thanksgiving cactus, despite its name, is not a cactus but rather an epiphyte that grows on other plants. Trees are a common location for Thanksgiving cacti in their natural habitat.
Difference With Thanksgiving Cactus, Christmas Cactus, and Easter Cactus
Members of the Cactaceae family include the succulents we know as the Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, and Easter cactus. These cacti are sold in stores around the holidays under various umbrella terms. The leaves and flowering times of these cacti are where the majority of their variation lies.
In the first weeks of winter, Christmas cacti produce their showy flowers. Scalloped leaves and early winter flowers distinguish the true Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii).
Early in the spring, Easter cacti show their colorful blooms. Round-leaved and flowering in February or March, the Easter cactus is either Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri or Hatiora gaertneri.
Late fall is prime bloom time for Thanksgiving cacti. Crab cactus is another common name for the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) because of its claw-like leaves and late-fall flowering.
Take These 5 Easy Steps to Ensure Your Thanksgiving Cactus Is Always Happy and Healthy
The Thanksgiving cactus requires minimal attention; weekly watering is usually sufficient. Here are some pre-, during-, and post-bloom maintenance guidelines to follow for optimal plant health:
Cactus soil is the best option. Plants like holiday cacti, which don’t require a lot of water, can struggle in regular potting soil because of its high water-holding capacity. Cactus soil is a potting mix that consists of perlite, moss, pumice, sand, and gravel, and it drains water well and dries out rapidly.
2) Water when the soil appears dry. Maintaining a healthy Thanksgiving cactus is as simple as making sure it gets enough water. The Thanksgiving cactus is an exception to the rule for cacti, as it prefers the wet, humid environment of Brazil’s rainforests. Care for your holiday cactus with the soak and drain technique: Your cactus will benefit from a good soaking, which is best done over a sink so that any excess water can drain. Don’t water again until the top inch of soil has dried out. Don’t overwater your Thanksgiving cactus, or you risk killing it.