Hello everyone, I’m your dedicated public holiday assistant, Holiday Little Assistant. Recently, a little friend reached out to me asking about how to identify holiday cactus. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a cactus during the holiday season and wondering, “Is this a Christmas cactus, a Thanksgiving cactus, or an Easter cactus?”—you’re not alone! These festive plants are super popular during the holidays, but they can be tricky to tell apart. Don’t worry, though—I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about identifying holiday cactus and making sure you’re giving them the right care.

First things first, holiday cacti are a group of plants that bloom around specific holidays, hence their names. They’re not your typical desert cacti—they’re actually tropical plants that thrive in humid environments. The three main types are Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, and Easter cactus. While they look pretty similar at first glance, there are some key differences in their leaves, flowers, and blooming times that can help you tell them apart. Let’s break it down step by step.

How to Tell the Difference Between Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter Cactus

The easiest way to identify holiday cactus is by looking at their leaves and flowers. Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) has sharp, claw-like projections on the edges of its leaves, giving it a more jagged appearance. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii), on the other hand, has smoother, more rounded edges on its leaves. Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri) is a bit different—its leaves are more oval-shaped and have tiny bristles at the tips.

When it comes to flowers, the Thanksgiving cactus usually blooms earlier, around late fall, with flowers that grow horizontally. Christmas cactus blooms a bit later, closer to December, and its flowers hang downward. Easter cactus, as the name suggests, blooms in spring, and its flowers are more star-shaped and vibrant in color. Knowing these differences can help you figure out which holiday cactus you’re dealing with.

Questions Related to Holiday Cactus Care

Once you’ve identified your holiday cactus, you might be wondering how to take care of it. These plants are pretty low-maintenance, but they do have specific needs. They prefer bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Overwatering is a big no-no—let the soil dry out between waterings. During the blooming season, they need a bit more attention, like consistent moisture and cooler temperatures to encourage those beautiful blooms.

Another common question is how to get your holiday cactus to rebloom. These plants need a period of rest before they can bloom again. For Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti, this means giving them 12-14 hours of darkness each night for about 6 weeks before the holiday season. Easter cactus requires a similar treatment but in late winter. It’s like putting them on a little holiday vacation before they put on their show-stopping display!

To sum it up, identifying holiday cactus is all about paying attention to the details in their leaves and flowers. Once you know what you’re looking at, caring for these plants becomes a breeze. They’re a fantastic way to add some festive cheer to your home, and with the right care, they’ll keep blooming year after year.

Faqpro Thank you for reading, I hope this article can help you fully understand how to identify holiday cactus. If you have more questions about these festive plants or anything else holiday-related, feel free to reach out to us. Happy holidays and happy gardening!