Thanksgiving Cactus

Thanksgiving Cactus Care

Schlumbergera truncata

What is the plant

Add the holidays to your home with an evergreen plant that will delight you with beautiful blooms before the holidays.

Known as Crab Cactus, Holiday Cactus, or Winter Cactus, Schlumbergera truncata is native to the mountains of Brazil. It's a representative of the Cactaceae family. It boasts beautiful pink flowers that appear closer to the winter holidays.

This cactus is relatively easy to care for and propagate, so it is suitable for plant-loving beginners.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

20°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

10b - 11b

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Even though we see the name cactus in its identification, this plant cannot withstand long dry periods like other succulents. Water your Schlumbergera truncata when the topsoil is dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot.
Pruning
Schlumbergera truncata doesn't need much pruning, but you can remove dead leaves to keep the plant from wasting energy.
Fertilizer
Try not to overfeed your Thanksgiving Cactus, as it grows well without additional fertilizers. However, you can use a well-balanced liquid fertilizer several times during the growing season if your plant looks sickly.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
It grows best in partial shade or indirect sunlight during the warm season. In winter, you can move it to a southern windowsill when direct light cannot burn its leaves.
Soil
Thanksgiving Cactus likes well-drained and light soil that allows water and air to pass through without retaining excess moisture. You can prepare a sand mixture or buy ready-made soil for cacti and succulents.
Propagation
This cactus is easy to propagate by cuttings. To do this, you need to separate part of the plant manually. The cutting must consist of several segments. Then place it in moist soil and wait for new roots to appear. During rooting, Thanksgiving Cactus may produce aerial roots; this is normal.

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Temperature
The ideal temperature for Thanksgiving Cactus is 70-80°F (21-27°C) during its growing season from April to September. Try not to let temperatures rise above 90°F (32°C) once the flowers have formed, or they may die.
Container
Schlumbergera truncata does not need frequent transplanting; instead, once every 2-3 years will be enough. When the time comes, choose a new pot according to the size of the root system. Make sure the container has drainage holes, but don't worry about the material.
Fun fact
The genus Schlumbergera was named for Frédéric Schlumberger, a famous collector of cacti who lived in the 19th century.