In stock
Shipping now

Holiday Cactus

A festive burst of holiday color in beautiful, varying shades of red

Size
Trusted by 4M+ Gardeners
Grow Guarantee
Fast Shipping
Secure
Shipped from Asheville, NC

About the Variety

New

Key Features

Prefers Dappled Shade
Morning Sun Only
Container Friendly
Attracts Bees
Attracts Hummingbirds
Easy to Grow
Hanging Basket Friendly

Plant Details

BOTANICAL NAME

Schlumbergera truncata

LIFE CYCLE

  • Perennial

SEED TYPE

  • Live Plant

LIGHT REQUIREMENT

  • Partial Shade

BLOOM SEASON

  • Late Fall through Winter

GROWTH HABIT

  • Branching
  • Trailing

COLOR

  • Red

MATURE SIZE

  • 9 to 12 inches x 12 to 24 inches

Holiday Cactus brings a welcome pop of color indoors just as the days grow shorter. Its graceful, arching stems are adorned with vibrant, exotic-looking blooms that brighten windowsills, tabletops, and holiday displays. Easy to care for and wonderfully long-lived, this festive houseplant can become a cherished holiday tradition, rewarding you with beautiful flowers year after year.

  • When nighttime temps dip toward 50°F, bring your plant indoors
  • Healthy plants are passed down as multi-generational heirlooms for up to 100 years
  • Native to Brazilian rainforests rather than standard deserts

Planting Information

PLANTING DEPTH

  • Top of the root ball level with soil surface

WATER NEEDS

  • Average

PLANT SPACING

  • 12 to 24 inches

HARDINESS ZONES

  • 10
  • 11
  • 12

Planting Guide

Ready to Grow

We guarantee that our seeds & bulbs will be true to type and ready to thrive. If something doesn't grow as expected, we will make it right. Questions? Call us at 855-440-2929

All houseplants
Grown by Our Community 

    Holiday Cactus FAQs

    How do I care for a Holiday Cactus?

    A Holiday Cactus prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry, and reduce watering in the fall to encourage blooming. Avoid letting the plant sit in standing water, as this can cause root rot.

    When does a Holiday Cactus bloom?

    This plant typically blooms in late November to early January—just in time for the holidays, and why it is often called a Thanksgiving Cactus or Christmas Cactus. To trigger flowering, reduce daylight exposure and nighttime temperatures in the fall. A period of 12–14 hours of darkness and cooler temps around 50–55°F can help set buds.

    Can I grow a Holiday Cactus indoors?

    Absolutely! The Holiday Cactus is an ideal houseplant. It thrives in indoor environments with moderate humidity and indirect sunlight. It's also great for hanging baskets or containers on shelves where its arching stems can spill over attractively.

    Does a Holiday Cactus need to be pollinated to bloom?

    No pollination is needed for blooming—this plant naturally produces vibrant flowers when given the right environmental cues. However, if you grow multiple Holiday Cacti and they bloom at the same time, natural pollination by insects (or by hand with a small brush) can produce seed pods, though most people propagate this plant by cuttings rather than seeds.

    Why are my Holiday Cactus buds falling off?

    Bud drop can happen due to sudden changes in light, temperature, or watering routines. Try to keep the plant in a stable spot, away from drafts, heat vents, and direct sunlight. Avoid moving it once buds have formed to prevent stress.

    Gardening Tools