Schlumbergera bridgesii, commonly known as the Christmas Cactus, is a popular epiphytic cactus celebrated for its pendulous stems and vibrant, showy flowers that typically bloom around the holiday season. Unlike desert cacti, this fascinating plant hails from tropical rainforests and has adapted to thrive in humid, shaded environments, clinging to trees. Its unique flattened, segmented stems and colorful blooms make it a beloved houseplant.
 
Key Features of Schlumbergera bridgesii (Christmas Cactus)
Flattened, Segmented Stems (Cladodes): Features smooth, green, flattened stem segments that are joined end-to-end, creating arching or drooping stems.
Areoles with Bristles: Small areoles (the points where spines would typically grow on a cactus) are present along the edges of the stem segments, bearing short bristles.
Pendulous Growth Habit: Naturally grows in a pendulous or drooping fashion, making it ideal for hanging baskets or elevated pots.
Vibrant, Zygomorphic Flowers: Produces distinctive, asymmetrical (zygomorphic) flowers in a range of colors, including red, pink, purple, orange, and white. Flowers typically appear at the tips of the stem segments.
Bloom Period: Typically flowers in late fall to winter, often around the Christmas season, triggered by cooler temperatures and shorter day lengths.
Relatively Smooth Stem Edges: The edges of the stem segments are generally smooth or slightly scalloped, lacking sharp teeth or spines.
 
Care for Your Schlumbergera bridgesii (Christmas Cactus)
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct, intense sunlight, which can scorch the stems. East or west-facing windows are usually ideal.
Temperature: Prefers average room temperatures, ideally between 18-24°C (65-75°F) during the growing season. Cooler temperatures (around 15-18°C or 60-65°F) are beneficial for flower bud development in the fall.
Watering: Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch during the active growing season (spring and summer). Reduce watering in the fall and winter, allowing the soil to dry out slightly more between waterings, but avoid letting the plant dry out completely, especially when flowering.
Humidity: Enjoys higher humidity levels than desert cacti. Increase humidity by misting regularly, using a pebble tray, or placing near a humidifier.
Soil: Requires well-draining but moisture-retentive soil. A mix of potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark or peat moss works well.
 
Maintenance for a Thriving Christmas Cactus
Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years in the spring, using a slightly larger pot and fresh, appropriate soil mix.
Pinching: Pinching off a few stem segments in late spring or early summer can encourage bushier growth and more potential flowering sites.
Providing a Resting Period: To encourage blooming, provide a resting period in the fall (around October) with cooler temperatures (around 15-18°C or 60-65°F), reduced watering, and longer periods of darkness (around 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night for several weeks).
Pest Control: Monitor for pests like spider mites and mealybugs, and treat promptly if they appear.
 
Propagation Methods for Expanding Your Collection
Stem Cuttings: The easiest method. Take cuttings of 2-3 stem segments in the spring or early summer. Allow the cut ends to callus over for a few hours or a day. Plant the cuttings upright in moist, well-draining soil, burying the bottom segment. Keep the soil lightly moist and provide bright, indirect light. Roots typically form within a few weeks.
Seed: Propagation from seed is possible but slow and less common for home gardeners.
 
With its graceful stems and vibrant winter blooms, the Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) brings a touch of tropical beauty to indoor spaces. Providing the right balance of light, temperature, and moisture will ensure this holiday favorite thrives and graces you with its stunning flowers year after year.
 
 
* Picture and information intended only as a guide. Size and colours of plants will vary, not any 1 plant is exactly the same and minor variations will occur.
 
** All plants will be posted bare rooted.