Photo: Victor Farjalla PontesCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Christmas Cactus Plant Care
Schlumbergera bridgesii (Lem.) Loefgr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Schlumbergera is a small genus of cacti with six to nine species native to the coastal mountains of southeastern Brazil. These plants grow on trees or rocks in habitats that are generally shady with high humidity, and can be quite different in appearance from their desert-dwelling cousins.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Christmas Cactus?
Water Christmas Cactus every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Where Is the Christmas Cactus Native To?
What Is the Christmas Cactus?
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) belongs to the Cactaceae family within the Schlumbergera genus. Christmas Cactus is native to the coastal mountains of southeastern Brazil. Christmas Cactus is also known as Holiday cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, Easter cactus.
Christmas Cactus displays an epiphytic, cascading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Christmas Cactus produces tubular flowers in various colors like red, pink, orange, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Christmas Cactus?
Schlumbergera bridgesii requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Christmas Cactus Need?
Christmas Cactus thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Christmas Cactus in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Christmas Cactus Prefer?
Schlumbergera bridgesii grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Christmas Cactus prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Christmas Cactus?
Well-draining, acidic soil mix with peat moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Christmas Cactus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Christmas Cactus?
Feed Christmas Cactus every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Christmas Cactus?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Christmas Cactus?
Christmas Cactus can be propagated through stem cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to thanksgiving cactus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Christmas Cactus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
Non-toxic to humans and pets
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Christmas Cactus?
Christmas Cactus is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Christmas Cactus Need?
Christmas Cactus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Christmas Cactus is native to the coastal mountains of southeastern Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Christmas Cactus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Christmas Cactus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Schlumbergera genus — compare its care with other Schlumbergera species on PlantoScan.
Schlumbergera is part of the Cactaceae plant family — browse all Cactaceae genera and species.
Christmas Cactus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Schlumbergera bridgesii (Lem.) Loefgr., family Cactaceae (first published in in Arch. Jard. Bot. Rio de Janeiro 2: 32. 1918.) — World Flora Online record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Christmas Cactus as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Victor Farjalla Pontes, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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