The beautiful Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) is one of the many delightful plants featured in Luminous, our holiday display at The Leaf. This low-maintenance houseplant offers vibrant winter blooms and easy care, making it an amazing addition to your home this season.
Basics: Named for its tendency to bloom during the winter holidays, the Christmas cactus is a compact plant with flat stems that cascade downward. Its tubular flowers come in a variety of shades, including pink, red, purple, and white. Unlike its desert-dwelling relatives, this cactus has no sharp spines, making it ideal for households with curious pets and children.
Habitat: Native to the humid rainforests of Brazil, Schlumbergera x buckleyi thrives in warm, moisture-rich environments. While it can be sensitive to cold drafts and temperature fluctuations, it adapts well to indoor life in colder climates.
Why You Should Care for One: Christmas cacti are an excellent plant for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts for several reasons:
- Once it’s established in your home, it requires minimal attention and does well with basic care.
- Like many houseplants, it improves air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and emitting oxygen at night.
- They are non-toxic and safe for pets and children.
- With proper care, they can live for decades. Many Christmas cacti are family heirlooms, passed down through generations.
Caring for Schlumbergera x buckleyi: Despite being a cactus, it prefers regular water and dislikes regular sunlight! Here’s how you can keep yours thriving:
- Provide bright, indirect light for four to six hours a day.
- Water it regularly.
- Looking to get maximum blooms on your Christmas cactus before the holidays? From October to mid-November, reduce watering to allow the soil to dry out, and then give it 12-14 hours of darkness every day! This will help trigger it being more like a cactus and provide beautiful blooms.
