You might be surprised to learn that the “Christmas” cactus you see blooming in your home during the holidays might not really be a Christmas cactus at all – but instead a Thanksgiving cactus. In fact, thanks to a lot of confusion over the years with growers and sellers – it could actually even be an Easter cactus!
One of the most popular indoor plants of all during the holiday season is the cherished Christmas cactus. With its vibrant flowers in shades of red, pink, white, or purple, it brings a burst of holiday spirit to any space.
However, the plant you think is a Christmas cactus might actually belong to one of its closely related cousins – the Thanksgiving or Easter cactus. We know this all too well as we once misidentified a “Christmas” cactus for years in our house!
How To Identify Your Cactus – Is It A Christmas Or Thanksgiving Cactus?
When it comes to the Christmas cactus, there are all kinds of misunderstandings. For starters, despite its name, it’s not truly a cactus at all in the traditional sense.
Unlike a true desert cacti, the Christmas cactus does not thrive in dry, sandy environments. Instead, this plant actually prefers humid conditions. And unlike a desert cactus, it also needs moist, nutrient-rich soil. One that should be more along the lines of a combination of compost, sand and perlite to allow it to grow best.
Originating from the tropical jungles of South America, the Christmas cactus is technically a succulent rather than a true cactus. It does store water in its segmented leaves, which gives it a somewhat cactus-like appearance. But that is really where the similarities to any type of cactus plant end.
But even more confusing is how often this plant gets mistaken not only as a cactus, but as one of its relatives – the Thanksgiving and Easter cactus. The good news? Once you know what to look for to tell the difference, you will never mistake one for the other again!
How to Tell the Difference Between A Christmas & Thanksgiving Cactus
Not only is the Christmas cactus not a cactus, but it also has two nearly identical twins – the Thanksgiving and Easter cactus. The confusion stars because all three come from the same tropical regions in South America. And even more, because all have similar flowering habits.
All three cacti bloom after a period of cooler temperatures and reduced light exposure, both in their natural environment, or when growing indoors.
When grown in greenhouses, these cacti can be encouraged to flower at different times of the year by manipulating light and temperature. Which is exactly why each variety can bloom just in time for their specific holiday.
But due to their similar appearances and blooms they are frequently mislabeled – both by those who grow them at home and by retailers selling them during the festive season. So how do you tell them apart for sure? It’s actually quite easy. It all comes down to simply looking at their leaves, and, in the case of an Easter cactus, the shape of its flowers as well.
The Leaves Tell The Story – Do You Have A Christmas Or Thanksgiving Cactus?
At first glance, the leaves of all three holiday cacti may appear nearly identical. But if you take a closer look, you’ll notice some distinct differences. Especially with the shape and the ends or tips of the leaves.
Thanksgiving Cactus:
Of the three, the Thanksgiving cactus has the most pointed, jagged leaf edges. They resemble very sharp claws with pointy tips. If the edges of your plant’s leaves are serrated or have pointed tips, it’s likely a Thanksgiving cactus.
Christmas Cactus:
In contrast, the Christmas cactus has more rounded, scalloped edges on its segments. Its leaves look more like teardrops than claws. The leaves have a much smoother appearance compared to the Thanksgiving cactus.
Easter Cactus:
An Easter cactus has the roundest leaf segments of all. Even more so than the Christmas cactus. The Easter cactus is also easier to distinguish by its flowers, which have a star-like, flatter shape, unlike the more upright blooms of the Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti.
One thing is for sure, no matter which variety of a holiday cactus you have – they can live a long time. In fact, many can live and bloom for 75 to 100 years with good care.
Because of that, they often get handed down, which is exactly how we thought for years we had been gifted a Christmas cactus – when in reality – we had a Thanksgiving cactus the entire time!
Our cactus been handed down from a previous generation with the term “Christmas” cactus firmly given to us when we took possession. And for years we thought that is what we had blooming each holiday season. But it wasn’t until a few years back when doing a bit of research for an article that we realized we didn’t have a Christmas cactus at all!
A Few Tips For Caring For Your Holiday Cactus – Do You Have A Christmas Or Thanksgiving Cactus?
The great news is that regardless of which type you have, caring for them is quite similar. Since all three come from the same tropical family, they thrive under comparable conditions: moderate light, humidity, and regular watering to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
They all thrive best in bright, indirect light. Always try to keep your holiday cactus away from direct sunlight, which will burn its delicate leaves. A location near a window with filtered light or semi-transparent curtains works best. Avoid placing the plant near drafts, heat vents, or areas with sudden temperature changes, as these can stress the plant.
All three cacti types require consistently moist, well-draining soil. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, allowing excess water to drain out. Overwatering can lead to root rot. So with that in mind, it’s essential to use a pot with drainage holes to avoid standing water.
During their flowering period, slightly reduce watering to allow the soil to dry out a bit more between sessions. After flowering, prune the plant by pinching off a few segments from each stem. This will help to maintain a bushy shape and encourages new growth.
You can fertilize your cactus once a month after it finishes flowering. It’s best to continue to do this right up until you begin to reduce it’s light late in the year to get it ready to bloom again. See our article: How To Fertilize Your Christmas Cactus With Coffee Grounds – Get More Blooms Year After Year!
So whether you happen to own a Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter cactus, here’s to keeping your holiday cactus healthy and happy!
Old World Garden Farms
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
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