Christmas Cactus
Schlumbergera bridgesii
Succulents & Cacti Difficulty: Moderate
📖 About this plant
A beloved holiday houseplant that produces spectacular pendulous flowers in shades of pink, red, white, or lavender during the winter holiday season. Unlike desert cacti, this epiphytic jungle cactus naturally grows on tree branches in humid forests. Its flat, segmented stems cascade beautifully from hanging baskets.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Bright indirect (4-6 hrs)
💧
Water
Every 1-2 weeks
💨
Humidity
Moderate (50-60%)
🌡️
Temperature
15-25°C
🪴
Soil
Well-draining, slightly acidic mix of peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark (1:1:1 ratio)
🧪
Fertilizer
Balanced liquid fertilizer monthly from April through October; stop during bud formation
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Coastal mountains of southeastern Brazil; grows as an epiphyte on trees in tropical rainforests
- 📏 Max height
- 15-30 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 30-60 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Winter
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Pink, Red, White
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans — one of the safest holiday plants
- 🌱 Propagation
- Stem segment cuttings of 2-3 segments; allow to callus 1-2 days before rooting in moist medium
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans — one of the safest holiday plants
Common issues
- Bud drop from temperature or light changes, Root rot from overwatering, Mealybugs in stem joints, Stem rot
💡 Care tips
- Unlike desert cacti it needs more humidity and less sun,Trigger blooming with 12-14 hours of darkness for 6 weeks,Reduce watering and temperature in fall for flower buds,Can live and bloom for decades with proper care
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 30 days.
