By Jessica Carlson 

OTC Master Gardener

Holiday cactus are cherished houseplants that brighten the darker months with colorful blooms. Though commonly associated with winter holidays, they have a rich natural history and specific needs that help them thrive year after year. Learning where these plants come from and how they grow can make caring for them simpler and more successful.

Holiday cactus are members of the cactus family, but they are quite different from desert cacti. In nature, they grow in the humid, shaded rainforests of southeastern Brazil. Rather than rooting in dry soil, they live as epiphytes, clinging to tree branches or rocky surfaces. This would explain why they prefer bright, indirect light, evenly moist soil, and higher humidity than most people expect from a cactus.

There are three main types of holiday cactus commonly grown indoors. The Thanksgiving cactus, often associated with the Latin name Schlumbergera , has flattened stem segments with pointed, claw-like teeth and typically blooms in late fall. The Christmas cactus has smoother, more rounded segment edges and usually flowers later in winter. The Easter cactus, sometimes referred to as Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri, has rounded segments with gentle scalloping and produces star-shaped blooms in spring. While these names describe general bloom timing and appearance, there are hundreds of cultivars and hybrids that vary widely in flower color, shape, and exact bloom period.

Holiday cactus flowers may be pink, red, white, purple, orange, or bicolored, depending on the variety. With care, plants can bloom reliably each year and often live for decades, becoming meaningful heirloom houseplants.

Basic care is similar for all holiday cactus. They grow best in bright, indirect light and should be protected from harsh, direct sun. A well-drained potting mix and containers with drainage holes are essential. Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. If using a moisture meter, holiday cactus prefer soil that stays in the slightly moist range rather than very wet or completely dry.

Humidity also plays a significant role. Because these plants originate in rainforest conditions, they benefit from moderate indoor humidity. A hygrometer reading between 40 and 60 percent is ideal. If indoor air is very dry, placing the plant on a pebble tray can help. A pebble tray is a shallow tray filled with small stones and water, with the plant pot resting on top of the pebbles rather than sitting directly in the water. As the water evaporates, it increases humidity around the plant without soaking the roots.

One of the most frequent questions about holiday cactus is how to encourage blooming. Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus need long, uninterrupted nights and cooler temperatures in fall to set buds. About six weeks of 12 to 14 hours of darkness each night usually triggers flowering. This can be achieved by placing the plant in a room not used at night or by covering it with breathable dark cloth each evening. Consistency is important, and some gardeners find it helpful to set a timer or phone reminder to track the dark periods.

Easter cactus follows a slightly different cycle. After a short winter rest, it benefits from 12 to 14 hours of darkness each night for eight to ten weeks to initiate spring blooms. Once buds appear, avoid moving the plant or changing light and temperature conditions.

Holiday cactus reward gardeners who take time to understand their origins and natural habits. By mimicking the light, moisture, and humidity of their native environment, these graceful plants can provide dependable color and enjoyment in the home for many years.