Discover the 6 most popular Holiday Cactus Types to grow indoors and how to take the proper care of them!

Holiday cactus got their name because they bloom near the famous holiday season–Around the time of Thanksgiving and Christmas! Thanks to their blooming attribute, they got their name accordingly.

Difference between Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus

People are often confused between these two, mainly since they both are from the same Schlumbergera Cactus family, but the difference is in their leaves. This article has more information on it.

• Christmas Cactus: The leaves of this cactus are smooth and scalloped, without any rough edges. Also, due to the various other hybrid cultivars available, the true Christmas cactus is challenging to find. Its flowers dangle down from the stems.
• Thanksgiving Cactus: The leaves of this cacti have pointy and serrated crab’s claw-like edges, and it is therefore also famous as crab cactus.

Famous Holiday Cactus Types

Unlike other cacti, these cactus plants don’t like full sun and need bright indirect sunlight and slightly moist soil to thrive well. 

1. Christmas Cactus

Image credit: Gardenista

Botanical Name: Schlumbergera bridgesii

Flowering Time: Mid-November to January

The most recognized of the lot, it flowers in stunning shades of yellow, pink, red, white, or purple and lasts for several days! Keep it in a warm and humid condition, and watch it thrive!

Here’s all you need to know about making Christmas Cactus bloom

2. Easter Cactus

Botanical Name: Schlumbergera gaertneri (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri)

Flowering Time: March to April

Spring cactus, as it’s also popularly famous, can be an attractive addition to your house, thanks to the star-shaped flowers that last for days! And yes, it does well in filtered sun!

3. Thanksgiving Cactus

Botanical Name: Schlumbergera truncata

Flowering Time: October to November

The plant is instantly recognizable due to its unique foliage with serrated or toothed leaves, which is it is also famous as Crab Claw Cactus. Produces long tube-like flowers in purple, orange, red, pink, peach, or white colors!

4. Miniature Easter Cactus

Botanical Name: Schlumbergera rosea

Flowering Time: March to April

With thin, trailing foliage, you can also grow this in hanging baskets! It has finger-like plump leaves and grows charming flowers in 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦-pink color!

5. True Christmas Cactus

Botanical Name: Schlumbergera buckleyi

Flowering Time: November to January

It is called ‘True Christmas Cactus’ for a reason, thanks to its vivid flowers that are large in size and also last longer. Its leaves also have a slightly different shape as compared to the Christmas cactus.

6. Orchid Cactus

Botanical Name: Disocactus Ackermannii

Flowering Time: Spring

This cactus is native to southern Mexico and grows funnel-shaped flowers in bright red color. It grows best in indirect sunlight, but exposure to bright morning sun is beneficial.