Christmas Zygo Cactus
Description
The Christmas Cactus, scientifically known as Schlumbergera truncata, is a beautiful epiphytic succulent. It features flat, glossy segmented stems and stunning flowers that can bloom in red, pink, or white. Please note that flower colors may vary, and we cannot guarantee a specific color.
Blooming Season
This festive plant earns its name because it blooms from late November to January, making it a perfect gift for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.
Care Tips
Caring for a Christmas Cactus is relatively easy, but it does have some specific needs to thrive and bloom beautifully:
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Light: Prefers partial sun or dappled light. It thrives in low light but benefits from bright light during its growing season (April to September). Avoid direct sunlight.
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Humidity: Unlike many cacti, this plant enjoys humidity. Frequent misting will keep it happy.
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Watering: Keep the soil gently moist during the growing season. Water once a week while it’s blooming. When dormant, allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings, adjusting to every two weeks. Avoid letting the roots sit in water to prevent root rot.
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Promoting Blooms: To encourage blooming, keep the plant in the dark for most of the day. About six hours of light daily is sufficient.
Signs of Health
Your Christmas Cactus is healthy when it has plump green leaves and plenty of blooms. Watch for signs of distress, like:
- Under-Watering: Wrinkled or puckered leaves.
- Over-Watering: Leaves with brown spots or mold.
If your plant shows these signs, check the pot. If it’s dry, give it water; if it’s wet, remove the plant, trim any rotting roots, and repot it in fresh soil to avoid water buildup.
- Botanical Name
- Schlumbergera truncata
- Common Names
- Christmas Cactus
- Plant Type
- epiphytic succulent
- Mature Size
- Height: 6 to 12 inches & Spread: 12 to 24 inches
- Sun Exposure
- 6 Hours of Sun
- Soil Type
- Fast draining mixes. A drought resistant plant, needs watering when soil is completely dry
- Soil pH
- Any
- Bloom Time
- Seasonal bloomer once mature enough.
- Flower Color
- red, rosy pink, pastel pink
- Hardiness Zones
- Zone 9-11 outdoors; may grow indoors in containers with enough light
- Native Area
- Brazil
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Plants ship from our location in Florida and arrive nationwide within 5-8 business days. All our plants ship exclusively with UPS to ensure they arrive timely and in good condition. For those users in Florida, George, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia, shipping may be faster. Estimated shipping dates can be seen in checkout. Plant exclusions may apply.
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