Thanksgiving Cactus
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One of my Thanksgiving cactus is blooming a bit early this year. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
“…I’m confused, I thought I had a Christmas cactus but you said it was a Thanksgiving cactus. Are they different?” —Tanya
Thanksgiving Cactus
Hi Tanya,
Yes there is definitely a difference between Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus. They both come from the same plant family but Christmas cactus are no longer available on the commercial market.
Schlumbergera truncata is the Thanksgiving cactus. It is called a leaf cactus but is not a true cactus. Rather it is an epiphyte, which are plants that live on other plants.
The main difference between Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus is that Thanksgiving cactus leaves are broad and flat with slight horns on the edges. Christmas cactus leaves tend to be thinner and have smooth edges.
Thanksgiving cactus can be encouraged to bloom at Thanksgiving. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Thanksgiving cactus flowers are very similar to fuchsia blossoms. They are available in a rainbow of colors including yellow, white, pink, peach and red.
The Thanksgiving cactus is a favorite home decor plant. Not only is it easy to care for but the blooms may last 2-4 months.
To bloom at Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving cactus have to be exposed to less light and colder temperatures at the end of summer or early fall.
Some of mine live in the basement so they were naturally exposed to colder temperatures thanks to air conditioning and less light. The sure sign the plant is about to bloom is the sight o little colorful bumps at the ends of the green leaves.
Thanksgiving cactus have spikes or horns at the ends of their leaves. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
You will find a good selection of Thanksgiving cactuses to buy from November-January.
