The scientific name of Christmas Cactus is Schlumbergera bridgesii. The Christmas Cactus is a beautiful holiday plant as it brings holidays colors into your home. It has arching foliage with bright, cascading flowers measuring around 3 inches. The Christmas cactus will flower through the holidays months and stop blooming around late winter or early fall. Now let’s check out how to properly care for this plant.
What we can say about the Christmas Cactus temperature and humidity – the average household temperature is fine all year but when it is time to bloom they need a lower temperature. I recommend starting the beginning of October when it blooms to keep the Cactus in temperatures between 50F-55F. If you live in a colder climate where Fall temperatures are in the 50s, leave your plant outside. Just be sure to bring it in before the first frost.
Christmas Cactus Scientific Name – Schlumbergera bridgesii
About the lighting. If the Christmas Cactus is already in bloom when you bring it home, set it in high light but not direct sunlight which can burn the leaves. If your plant has not bloomed yet be aware that their flowering is directly related to the length of the day versus night (and also to temperature). Your Christmas Cactus must get 12-13 hours of uninterrupted darkness in order to provide vibrant flowers. Once it blooms this does not apply.
As we already mentioned, the Christmas Cactus scientific name is Schlumbergera bridgesii, but it is also known as Thanksgiving cactus or Holiday cactus.
A little about watering a Christmas cactus. Keep your plant just moist except for the time between early October and bloom when you should allow the soil to dry between waterings. And then from when it blooms to the end of September, keep the soil moist. Fertilize Christmas Cactus once every two weeks after it blooms. Also, do not move the plant once it blooms as this will cause the buds to fall off and it will stop flowering.
