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False Christmas Cactus

4.6 out of 5 (204 experiences)

Survivor

Fast grower

Also known as

Holiday Cactus, Crab Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Schlumbergera truncata

Genus

Schlumbergera

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

What other plant parents say

Survivor 142

Fast grower 81

Easy to propagate 64

Blooms easily 63

Large, lush leaves 24

Pet friendly 22

Pest magnet 4

Browns easily 2

@Giudittalay…

05/30/2021

Honestly I haven’t had much time with this plant I got it from my grandma a couple months ago. But from what I read it blooms easily and can go without watering for a certain period of time. From my …

@Thegreenhou…

Worcester, Massachusetts

09/01/2021

I live in New England, and last winter (October-ish?) I accidentally left this cactus outside during a frost... maybe more than one day... I brought it in, left it is the window with good morning sun…

@Foxybadg3r

Plymouth, Michigan

05/24/2021

My cactus loves to be right up against my south facing window in a crowded pot. I water her when she dries out completely. She’s always either giving me flowers or new leaves. She’ll tell you when sh…

@Nataleaf

New Orleans, Louisiana

03/07/2021

Great fun looking plant! Remember not to treat it like a true cactus - it does like to be watered more frequently than a typical cactus would. It is a tropical epiphyte, and loves humidity as well. I…

@Agatha

04/24/2021

I love the look of this cactus. It’s so unique. For a year, mine grew slow and didn’t bloom, but stayed healthy and looking fresh and green. I moved him closer to the light just two weeks ago and it …

@Carolarolyn

New Haven, Connecticut

06/03/2021

Give this guy lots of sunlight if you want to see growth! I had mine in an east-facing window (with morning sun) for months with no change. As soon as I moved it to south sun it starting growing new …

@Javabean4

Evansville, Indiana

06/07/2021

Super easy. I bought this as a little plant around Thanksgiving and she has grown new leaves very frequently. I rotate her back and forth between a Northeast and East facing window. Water when she ge…

@Barbarab

04/07/2021

I got this as a random grocery store plant one day, and it’s stayed alive and reasonably happy for about 5 years now. It’s low-drama as long as it has enough light and I remember to clean it off ever…

@Sarahnotsara

White Lake charter Township, Michigan

05/17/2021

So easy, place in a window and water when dry. I have 3 and they all just grow and grow, any time a piece falls off just plop in some water and it will root. This started as my great grandmas propaga…

@Risaree1957

Tualatin, Oregon

06/12/2021

This cactus can last through being forgotten to be watered. It handles being out in the sun for the summer and come inside and bloom. Very hardy plant. Will wilt if it really needs watering. But spri…

How to care for False Christmas Cactus

Water

How often to water your False Christmas Cactus

False Christmas Cactus needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.