Christmas Cactus | Schlumbergera × buckleyi
Bring beautiful holiday color indoors with the Christmas Cactus! Known for its vibrant, long-lasting blooms in shades of red, pink, purple, or white, this easy-care tropical cactus typically flowers in early winter, just in time for Christmas. Its flat, segmented green stems gracefully arch over the sides of containers, making it a wonderful choice for tabletops, windowsills, shelves, and holiday gifts.
Unlike desert cacti, Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera × buckleyi) is native to tropical forest environments and prefers indirect sunlight, moderate moisture, and humidity. This long-lived houseplant can bloom year after year with proper care. Mature plants typically reach 6–12 inches tall and spread 12–24 inches wide.
Christmas Cactus or Thanksgiving Cactus?
These popular holiday houseplants are often confused! Learn how to identify yours by comparing their stem shapes, flowers, and bloom times in our Thanksgiving Cactus vs. Christmas Cactus Guide.
Why You'll Love Christmas Cactus
- Beautiful Holiday Blooms: Colorful flowers brighten your home during the winter season.
- Easy-Care Houseplant: Thrives indoors with bright, indirect light and moderate watering.
- Long-Lived: Can grow and bloom for many years with proper care.
- Pet-Friendly: Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Christmas Cactus Care
Sunlight Requirements
Place Christmas Cactus in bright, indirect sunlight, such as near an east-facing window. Avoid intense afternoon sun, which can scorch or discolor its stems. Consistent indirect light encourages healthy growth and flowering.
Watering Christmas Cactus
Water thoroughly when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry. Allow excess water to drain completely, and never leave the pot sitting in water. Christmas Cactus prefers slightly moist soil but is sensitive to overwatering. Moderate indoor humidity is beneficial.
Soil and Repotting
Use a loose, well-draining potting mix containing perlite or orchid bark. Christmas Cactus prefers slightly snug roots and generally only needs repotting every 2–3 years, preferably in spring or after flowering.
Fertilizing Christmas Cactus
Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2–4 weeks during active growth in spring and summer. Reduce feeding in fall and stop during winter dormancy.
How to Get Christmas Cactus to Bloom
For dependable winter blooms, provide cooler nighttime temperatures around 55–65°F and approximately 13–14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night for 6–8 weeks in fall. Once flower buds appear, maintain consistent temperatures, moisture, and lighting. Avoid sudden changes that can cause buds to drop.
Container sizes
Compare the nursery pot sizes we ship.
#1 Pot
1 gallon · #1 container
- Plant size
- ~10–14"
- Pot size
- ~7"H × 7.75"W
- Volume
- 2.26–3.73 qt
- Plant age
- ~1–2 years
#2 Pot
2 gallon · #2 container
- Plant size
- ~12–18"
- Pot size
- ~9.5"H × 9.5"W
- Volume
- 1.19–1.76 gal
- Plant age
- ~1.5–3 years
#3 Pot
3 gallon · #3 container
- Plant size
- ~12–30"
- Pot size
- ~9.5"H × 11"W
- Volume
- 2.32–2.76 gal
- Plant age
- ~2–4 years
Photos give a general idea of each container size. Plant size and age are estimates and vary with the type of plant, time of year, last pruning and other factors. Learn more about container sizes
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- 1Arrives healthyYour plant arrives happy, healthy and ready to use.
- 2Check it on deliveryOpen the box and look your plant over when it arrives.
- 3Something wrong?Contact us within 3 days of delivery.
Ships in 2–3 business days
Most orders ship within 2–3 business days. West Coast orders may take a little longer.
Free shipping
Free shipping on every Christmas plant.
Where we ship
The lower 48 U.S. states. We don't ship to Alaska, Hawaii or outside the U.S.
This plant can't ship to
AK, HI
These limits apply only to this plant, because of agricultural rules or other restrictions. Other plants may still ship to these states. Questions? Our team is happy to help.