Cacti

Schlumburgera truncata

Thanksgiving Cactus

Family: Cactaceae

Genus: Schlumbuergera

Species: Truncata

Cultivars: None

Common names: Thanksgiving Cactus, Holiday Cactus

Difficulty: Low

Description: This common tropical cactus gets its name from the time of year it blooms, typically late November. It, along with other holiday cacti have thick leaves with sectoral growth creating a bushy vine. It has flowers in just about every bright color you can think of. We carry white, pink, yellow, and red flowering Thanksgiving cactus. The Thanksgiving cactus is distinguished from other holiday cacti by the pointed ridges along the sides of the leaf petals. To get this cactus to bloom, you will need to reduce light in the weeks leading up to the bloom period.

Size: This plant is relatively slow growing and is regularly seen 1 foot across with vines that are 6 inches long. They can live a long time and can get up to 4 feet wide and long. 

Light: Bright indirect light. As noted above, light must be reduced substantially to get blooms in the weeks leading up to flowering. 

Water: Very forgiving with drought. Water deeply when the top 75% of soil is dry. It is a tropical cactus and needs more water than your everyday desert cactus. 

Temperature: Ideal between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 40 degrees. 

Humidity: Ambient home humidity is fine for this plant. It will not be bothered by dry air. 

Soil: A rich quick draining mix that doesn’t retain water too long is ideal. We use 2-parts coco coir, 1-part bark, 1 part coarse perlite, 1 part sand. 

Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis. If using grow lights, fertilize year-round. If using only natural light, fertilize from May to September. Do not fertilize when flowering, this will cause the flowers to die for the year. 

Repotting: Only repot when the roots are coming out of drainage holes. Move up only 1 pot size when transplanting. This plant requires drainage holes in all planters. Do not fertilize for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. Water the plant in after transplant and immediately resume allowing to dry completely between waterings. 

Toxicity: Thanksgiving Cactus is non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. It is non-poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats.  

Native to: Brasil

Companion Animals: This plant could be used in an arid climate terrarium, although we have never seen it happen.