Thanksgiving Cactus Care: How to Grow an Indoor Schlumbergera Holiday Cactus
Last Updated on July 6, 2023
The holidays are a great time to show off your green thumb with an indoor Schlumbergera holiday cactus. Unlike many other cacti, the Schlumbergera is known for its colorful blooms that appear in shades of pink, red, and white. With proper care, your cactus can thrive indoors and provide you with years of enjoyment.
Here are a few tips on how to take care of your holiday cactus so it will continue to bloom year after year.
Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactus Care: Update On How I Grow Them
If you’re looking for a festive and easy-to-care-for holiday plant, look no further than the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata). Also known as crab cactus and jewel cactus, these South American natives are popular holiday gifts and often used in holiday displays. While they’re related to true cacti, they have softer, more leaf-like stems and beautiful blooms in shades of pink, red, purple, or white.
Thanksgiving cacti are relatively low-maintenance plants that thrive with just a little bit of TLC. Here are some tips on how to grow and care for your Thanksgiving cactus:
Light: Bright indirect light is best for Thanksgiving cacti.
They can tolerate some direct sunlight, but too much sun will cause their leaves to turn yellow or brown.
Water: Water your Thanksgiving cactus when the soil is dry to the touch. Allow the water to fully soak into the potting mix before watering again.
Overwatering is one of the most common problems with these plants, so be sure not to overwater!
Fertilizer: A weak fertilizer solution can be applied every few weeks during the growing season (spring through summer). Be sure to use a fertilizer formulated for succulents or cacti; too much fertilizer will burn the roots of these plants.
How to Make Thanksgiving Cactus Bloom
It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing color and the air is getting crisp. That can only mean one thing- Thanksgiving is just around the corner!
And what better way to get into the holiday spirit than by decorating your home with a beautiful Thanksgiving cactus?
If you’re not familiar with Thanksgiving cacti, they are a type of succulent that blooms around the fall season. They are relatively easy to care for and make for a great addition to any holiday display.
Here are a few tips on how to make your Thanksgiving cactus bloom:
1. Give it plenty of light. Like all succulents, Thanksgiving cacti need bright light in order to thrive.
If you don’t have a lot of natural light in your home, you can supplement with artificial lighting. Just be sure to place your plant near a window or under a grow light.
2. water sparingly .
too much water will cause the roots to rot, so it’s important to err on the side of caution when watering your Thanksgiving cactus. Allow the soil to dry out completely before giving it another drink.
3. fertilize monthly .
A little bit of fertilizer goes a long way with these plants! Use a half-strength solution once per month during the growing season (spring through summer). This will help encourage blooming come falltime.
4. mimic their natural habitat . These plants originate from Brazil, so they prefer warm temperatures and high humidity levels . If you live in an area with cooler weather , consider placing your plant on top of a pebble tray or humidifier . This will help create an environment more conducive for growth .
How to Care for a Thanksgiving Cactus
A Thanksgiving cactus (also known as a crab cactus or false Christmas cactus) is a beautiful plant that blooms around the holiday season. While it’s not actually related to the true Christmas cactus, it shares many of the same care requirements. If you’re thinking about adding a Thanksgiving cactus to your home, here’s what you need to know about how to care for it.
Light and Temperature
Thanksgiving cacti prefer bright, indirect light. They can tolerate some direct sun, but too much will cause the leaves to fade in color.
If your plant is getting too much sun, you may also notice that the stems start to get longer and leggy. When this happens, it’s time to move your plant to a location with less sunlight.
As far as temperature goes, thanksgiving cacti do best in cool rooms that are between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
They can tolerate brief periods of lower or higher temperatures, but prolonged exposure will damage the plant.
Watering and Humidity
Thanksgiving cacti are relatively drought tolerant plants, so they don’t need a lot of water.
During the active growth period (spring and summer), water your plant when the soil has dried out completely. During fall and winter, allow the top few inches of soil to dry out before watering again. It’s important not to overwater thanksgiving cacti because this can lead to root rot – which is fatal for the plant.
Thanksgivings cacti also prefer low humidity levels, so there’s no need to mist them or set them on a pebble tray filled with water. Just make sure they’re not sitting in water that has pooled at the bottom of their pot! Lastly…
Fertilizing Your Thanksgiving Cactus
Fertilize your thanksgiving cactus every two weeks during its active growth period using a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half . You can stop fertilizing altogether once fall arrives and growth slows down .
Thanksgiving Cactus Vs Christmas Cactus
When it comes to festive cacti, there are two that stand out above the rest – Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus. Both of these plants are known for their beautiful blooms that appear around the holidays, hence their names. But what’s the difference between these two holiday plants?
Thanksgiving cactus (or Schlumbergera truncata) is a member of the epiphytic cacti family, which means it grows on other plants or trees in its natural habitat. It’s native to Brazil and has distinctive flattened stems with sharply-toothed edges. The flowers of Thanksgiving cactus are typically red, pink, or white and bloom in late fall or early winter.
Christmas cactus (or Schlumbergera bridgesii), on the other hand, is also native to Brazil but belongs to a different plant family – the leafy succulents. Unlike its Thanksgiving cousin, Christmas cactus has rounded stems with scalloped edges. Its flowers come in a wide range of colors including red, pink, purple, yellow, and white.
They typically bloom a bit later than those of Thanksgiving cactus – usually in mid-winter.
So there you have it! The main differences between Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus are their stem shapes/edges and flowering times.
But both make lovely holiday decorations that will add some cheer to your home during the dark winter months!
When to Fertilize Thanksgiving Cactus
When to Fertilize Thanksgiving Cactus
If you want your Thanksgiving cactus to bloom in time for the holiday, you need to start fertilizing it in September. Use a fertilizer with a low nitrogen content and apply it every two weeks until the buds form, then stop.
If you keep fertilizing after the buds appear, they may fall off.
Thanksgiving Cactus Problems
If you’re having trouble with your Thanksgiving cactus, don’t worry! You’re not alone. Many people struggle to keep this plant alive and healthy.
There are a few common problems that can occur, and we’ll go over them here.
One of the most common problems is that the plant doesn’t bloom. This can be frustrating, but there are a few things you can do to encourage blooming.
First, make sure the plant is getting enough light. It should be in a bright spot, but not in direct sunlight. Second, water it regularly but don’t overwater – letting the soil dry out between watering is important.
Finally, fertilize monthly during the spring and summer months. If you follow these tips and your plant still doesn’t bloom, it may just be too young – give it some time and it should eventually start blooming for you!
Another common problem is that the leaves of the Thanksgiving cactus start to turn yellow or brown and drop off.
This usually happens when the plant isn’t getting enough light or if it’s being overwatered. Again, making sure it’s in a bright spot and only watering when the soil is dry will help fix this problem.
If your Thanksgiving cactus isn’t looking its best, don’t despair!
With a little care and attention, you can get it back on track.
Credit: www.greenhousestudio.co
How Do You Care for an Indoor Thanksgiving Cactus?
The Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), also called crab cactus and holiday cactus, is a popular houseplant that blooms indoors in late fall or winter. Native to Brazil, these epiphytic cacti are easy to care for and make great gifts. Here’s how to grow and care for your own Thanksgiving cactus.
Light: Bright indirect light is best for Thanksgiving cacti. They will tolerate some direct sun, but too much sun can cause the leaves to turn red.
Water: Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering.
Water less frequently in winter when the plant is dormant. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
Temperature: These plants prefer cooler temperatures—around 60-70°F during the day and 50-55°F at night.
They can tolerate some fluctuations outside of this range, but extreme heat or cold will damage the plant.
Humidity: Average household humidity levels are fine for Thanksgiving cacti. If the air is very dry, you may need to mist the plant occasionally with distilled water to prevent leaf drop.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks from spring through summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half. Cut back on fertilizing in fall and stop altogether in winter while the plant is dormant.
Where is the Best Place to Put a Thanksgiving Cactus?
If you’re looking for the best place to put your Thanksgiving cactus, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, these plants prefer bright indirect sunlight, so a spot near a window is ideal. Second, they like to be kept on the drier side, so make sure the pot has drainage holes and that you’re not overwatering.
Lastly, Thanksgiving cacti are susceptible to root rot, so it’s important to choose a pot that’s not too big. With these guidelines in mind, you should be able to find the perfect spot for your plant!
How Do You Care for a Schlumbergera Christmas Cactus?
To care for your Schlumbergera Christmas cactus, water it when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Place it in a location with bright, indirect light and keep the temperature between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Fertilize your plant every other month with a balanced fertilizer.
To encourage blooming, give your plant 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night starting in October.
Is it Dangerous to Repot a Thanksgiving Cactus?
Is it dangerous to repot a Thanksgiving cactus? When repotting a cactus safely, it is important to take certain precautions. Wear protective gloves to avoid the prickly spines. Use a well-draining soil mix and ensure the pot has appropriate drainage holes. Handle the cactus with care, avoiding any damage to the roots or stems. Following these guidelines will help minimize the risk while repotting your Thanksgiving cactus.
Where Should I Put a Christmas Cactus Indoors?
Christmas cactus are one of the most popular holiday plants. They are easy to grow and care for, and they make beautiful blooming houseplants. But where is the best place to put a Christmas cactus indoors?
Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect spot for your Christmas cactus:
1. Pick a place with bright, indirect light. Christmas cacti need bright light to bloom, but too much direct sunlight can damage their leaves.
A spot near a south- or west-facing window is ideal.
2. Avoid drafts. Drafty windowsills or doors can cause your Christmas cactus to drop its buds or flowers.
Keep it away from any sources of drafts, such as heating vents or fans.
3. Consider the temperature. These desert plants prefer cooler temperatures, around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 50-55 degrees at night.
If your home is on the warm side, try placing your plant in an east-facing window or in a cool room like a basement or garage (just be sure to bring it back inside before it gets too cold!).
Conclusion
If you want to add a festive touch to your home this holiday season, why not try growing a Thanksgiving cactus? Also known as Schlumbergera truncata, this plant is native to Brazil and is related to the Christmas cactus.