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Blooming Cactus Information
About The Blooming Cactus
This blooming cactus, also known as the Christmas or Thanksgiving Cactus, is your go-to fall and winter bloomer, delivering a burst of colorful flowers just when most plants are taking a break. Its segmented, trailing stems and festive flowers add texture and color to shelves, sills, or hanging planters. Easy to care for and long-lived, it’s a seasonal favorite that can bloom year after year!
Note: Common names like "Thanksgiving" or "Christmas" cactus refer more to bloom timing than plant type. Growers can induce blooming through light and temperature changes, so names may vary by season. Leaf shape and bloom color can also vary slightly by batch. No matter the name, you’re getting a festive, easy-care plant that’s easy to love.
- Each plant is unique; size and shape fluctuate by season so all measurements are shown as a range
- Your plant may arrive with or without buds or flowers, as availability can vary
- The actual color of blooms may vary slightly from what is pictured
- Arrives in a 6" nursery grow pot
Sizing Guide
Small
Approximately 5" in diameter, fits plants in a 4" grow pot or smaller
Medium
Approximately 7" in diameter, fits plants in a 6" grow pot or smaller
Large
Approximately 10-12" in diameter, fits plants in a 10" grow pot or smaller
Massive
Approximately 12-14" in diameter, fits plants in a 12" grow pot or smaller
Watering Requirements
Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out half way down between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. Schlumbergera can be sensitive to water with a high calcium content. Try using filtered water or leaving water out overnight before using.
Sunlight Requirements
Thrives in bright indirect to medium indirect light. Not suited for intense, direct afternoon sun.
Humidity Requirements
Normal room humidity can work, but Schlumbergera can benefit from higher humidity conditions. Consider incorporating a humidifier to boost humidity levels more consistently if the air in the home is dry.
Pet-Friendly Plant?
Yes, this plant is safe for homes with pets.
How can I tell what type of Schlumbergera I have?
Named "Thanksgiving" or "Christmas" cactus based on when they burst into winter bloom, these holiday favorites are easily identified by their unique stem shapes. Traditionally, a Thanksgiving cactus features sharp, claw-like points, smooth scalloped edges indicate a true Christmas cactus, and totally rounded edges reveal an Easter cactus.
Why are the flower buds falling off my Christmas cactus?
The most common causes are sudden temperature fluctuations (such as cold window drafts or blasting heating vents), bone-dry soil, or moving the pot to a different room after the buds have already formed. Once you notice tiny flower buds developing, pick a permanent spot with stable temperatures, and avoid moving the plant until it finishes blooming.
How do you force a Schlumbergera to bloom?
To trigger flower buds on a Schlumbergera, mimic their routine of short days and cool nights for roughly 6 weeks starting in mid-September. Provide 12-14 hours of darkness, and try to keep nighttime temperatures cool, ideally between 55-60F.
Why are my Christmas cactus leaves turning limp and wrinkled?
When the leaves of a Schlumbergera wilt, shrivel, and lose their plump texture, it is usually a sign of dehydration when it's accompanied by dry soil. On the other hand, if the soil is soggy but the plant looks wilted, the roots may have rotted away from overwatering and can no longer take up moisture.
Our planters are made from the highest quality materials, and designed to complement a range of styles.
Porcelain Planters
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Ceramic Planters
No Exterior Planter
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Isabella
Includes drainage hole and matching saucer
Grant
No drainage hole; use as cache pot or add lava rocks
Hyde
Includes drainage hole & matching saucer
Grow Pot
Plastic container with drainage holes used by our greenhouse
All of our plants ship in premium packaging for zero damage on arrival. Here’s what you can expect in your box on arrival:
Your Blooming Cactus
Fully rooted in a nursery pot with soil intact
Custom Protection System
Corner guards, soil stabilizer, and branch sleeves keep it secure
Pre-Watered & Ready
Each plant is watered 24 hours before it is shipped
Care Instructions Card
Includes expert-curated care tips to help your plant thrive far beyond the first 30 days.
Perfect For Gifting
No pricing or packing slips included with gifts! Just the plant and a note.
Additional Resources
- Video: Workshop Tutorial 1
- Video: Workshop Tutorial 2
- Video: Workshop Tutorial 3
- Video: Workshop Tutorial 4
- How to Care for a Cactus
- How to Care for a Christmas Cactus or Schlumbergera
- How Often & How Much You Should Water Houseplants
- Understanding Lighting in Your Home and How It Affects Your Plants
How to Care for a Christmas Cactus or Schlumbergera
Learn how to care for Schlumbergera cacti, including the popular Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, and Easter Cactus. Unlike their desert-dwelling family members, the epiphytic and epilithic cacti in this unique genus call humid southeastern Brazil home.
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How Often & How Much You Should Water Houseplants
Water is amazing. Made up of hydrogen and oxygen, it's literally responsible for all life on Earth. Watering your plant is a no brainer, but how much and how often...
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Why Choose The Sill?
Not all Blooming Cactuss are created equal
Greenhouse Grown
Not warehouse-held. Hand-picked and cared for by our experts.
Indoor Ready
Pre-conditioned to indoor light conditions.
Hand-Selected
Inspected by experts. Only our best ship out.
30-Day Guarantee
Free replacements if not happy and healthy.