Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactus Differences

on left, christmas cactus (smooth edges) on right, thanksgiving cactus (horns on edges) (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

“Charlotte I love Christmas Cactuses but are Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactuses the same?” — Emily

Are Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactus the Same?

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) and Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) are both popular holiday plants known for their vibrant blooms and ease of care.

While they are similar in many ways, there are distinct differences between the two species:

1. Origin and Natural Habitat:

   • Christmas Cactus: Christmas cacti are native to the cloud forests of Brazil. They have flattened stems with scalloped edges and are known for their pendulous flowers, which bloom in a variety of colors including red, pink, orange, white, and purple.

   • Thanksgiving Cactus: Thanksgiving cacti are native to the coastal mountains of southeastern Brazil. They have pointed, claw-like projections on their stems and typically bloom in shades of pink, red, white, or purple.

2. Leaf Segments:

   • Christmas Cactus: The stem segments of Christmas cacti have rounded, scalloped edges.

   • Thanksgiving Cactus: The stem segments of Thanksgiving cacti have pointed, claw-like projections.

3. Blooming Period:

   • Christmas Cactus: As the name suggests, Christmas cacti bloom in late fall to early winter, usually around December. The blooming period can extend into January.

   • Thanksgiving Cactus: Thanksgiving cacti bloom slightly earlier, typically in late November to early December, around the Thanksgiving holiday, hence the name.

4. Leaf Segments:

   • Christmas Cactus: The stem segments of Christmas cacti have rounded, scalloped edges.

   • Thanksgiving Cactus: The stem segments of Thanksgiving cacti have pointed, claw-like projections.

5. Flower Shape:

   • Christmas Cactus: Christmas cactus flowers have a more tubular shape, with pointed petals that often flare out at the tips.

   • Thanksgiving Cactus: Thanksgiving cactus flowers are usually more symmetrical and have a more rounded, crab-claw shape.

6. Cultural Requirements:

   • Both plants require similar care, including well-draining soil, indirect light, and regular watering. They prefer slightly humid conditions and benefit from occasional misting. During the blooming season, they require cool temperatures and shorter daylight hours to encourage flowering.

7. Propagation:

   • Both Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti can be easily propagated from stem cuttings. Simply cut a healthy segment of the plant, allow it to callous for a few hours, then plant it in moist soil. Given the right conditions, the cutting will develop roots and grow into a new plant.

Charlotte

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Norfolk Pine Christmas Trees

tiny norfolk pines are popular holiday gifts. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

“Charlotte, I’m torn between giving my family Amaryllis bulbs or tiny Norfolk Pine Christmas trees. Will the Norfolk Pines survive and get big enough to be a live (Christmas) tree?” — Ruth

Norfolk Pine Christmas Trees

Hi Ruth, I love giving growing gifts so either one will keep on giving long past the holidays.

In terms of the tiny Norfolk Pines, I have been blessed with a couple over the years and they are now my living Christmas trees.

Some people don’t like them because they get more spindly as they grow. I like the scarce look, makes hanging, and seeing, ornaments a lot easier.

Here’s a Norfolk Pine gift from maybe 10 years ago. They are slow growers so celebrate every inch!

solar powered bee lights keep this norfolk pine christmas tree glowing all year. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

When this tree was smaller, you bet I would decorate it with a few ornaments at Christmas. Today you can also find solar-powered lights and small string lights to add so you can enjoy them all year.

Norfolk Pines like indirect sunlight and being misted daily. They don’t like getting dry; they will start dropping branches. (Ask me how I know!)

The other Norfolk Pine Christmas tree I have is now almost 7 feet tall.

My cats like to nap under it.

Not sure what I am going to do when it outgrows the room but thankfully they are slow growers.

I had this Norfolk Pine tree out on my deck for a few summers. It seemed to like rain and just being outdoors. Now it’s too big for me to move so I’ll periodically bring it rain water.

So either Norfolk Pine trees or Amaryllis bulbs will make lovely gifts. The Amaryllis bulbs will take up less space and bloom within 6-8 weeks. The Norfolk Pine trees are slower to grow. Both can keep growing and giving enjoyment for many years to come.

I know, so helpful.

Charlotte

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Good Plant Gift

“Hi, I want to give a friend a growing gift but don’t know what would be a good choice. What do you recommend?” — Vivian

Good Plant Gift

Hi Vivian, that’s easy, Amaryllis bulbs are fun, interesting and affordable gifts. I’ve seen them offered at grocery stores and home and garden centers this time of year.

If you buy them in boxes, open the box to make sure the bulb has a bud tip showing and getting ready to grow.

If you buy them as loose bulbs, add a container one inch larger than the bulb. Year ago when I gave Amaryllis bulbs as gifts I also added a ruler so people could see how much the bulb grows from day to day. They can literally grow a couple of inches a day.

Also add Amaryllis bulb growing and care instructions.

Amaryllis make wonderful winter gifts, too so pick them up when marked down at the end of the season. There are few things that have large gorgeous blooms inside during cold winters!

Maybe get one for yourself, too?

Charlotte

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Where Do You Get Your Inspiration?

Native Black eye susans are long-lasting cut flowers and are one of my favorite summer flowers.

"Where Do You Get Your Inspiration?" -- Marie

Charlotte: Some people shop; I go out into my garden. Whether it is something to celebrate a special day, or moment, or cheer someone up, I can usually find something on my one-acre Missouri hillside garden.

It's not always flowers but those aren't a bad choice. Flowers are always welcome, especially ones we have "grown ourselves."

My garden also inspires me in terms of colors. Nature in a garden has a way of blending colors beautifully, a wonder place to be inspired when stumped selecting quilt fabrics.

I also enjoy my garden for all of the living creatures it hosts. Now when I look at a flower, I also look for its tenant, whether a spider or frog or ladybug. If I'm lucky, it's one of my honeybees visiting to pick up pollen. I sometimes stop for a minute. That is all it takes for some scene to unfold right before my camera eyes, if I'm lucky enough to remember to take my camera. Now I try to have it in hand at all times; I don't want to miss what my certified wildlife garden and monarch way station has to offer. 

So what else can you get inspired to do? 

Let's see, a jar of fresh herbs is a wonderful gift for a cook; a plant start is always welcome to a gardening friend. I will also share recipes to make gifts from the garden, and I look forward to hearing about the garden gifts you make. 

What kind of gifts do you like to give from your garden?