Schlumbergera × buckleyi
christmas cactus
Southeastern Brazil (garden hybrid origin)
Overview
Schlumbergera x buckleyi, the Christmas cactus, is a hybrid epiphytic cactus derived from S. truncata and S. russelliana, both native to Brazil. It grows as a spreading to trailing plant 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) wide, with arching stems made up of flattened green segments 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) long joined end to end. Unlike desert cacti, it has no true leaves and no sharp spines, only small bristles at the segment joints. Tubular flowers, 2.5–3 inches (6–7.5 cm) long, hang from the stem tips and flare into reflexed petals, in shades of pink, red, white, and purple. Bloom comes in early winter, around late November to January, triggered by long nights and cool temperatures. As an epiphyte it grows on tree branches in its native habitat rather than in soil. The plant needs a period of cool, dark nights in autumn to set buds, and buds drop if the plant is moved or stressed during this time. It is grown indoors as a flowering houseplant.
Native Range
Schlumbergera x buckleyi is a hybrid of garden origin. Its parent species are native to the coastal mountains of southeastern Brazil, where they grow as epiphytes on trees and rocks in humid forest.Suggested Uses
Grown as a flowering houseplant, in hanging baskets, and on bright windowsills. The winter flowers draw hummingbirds where the plant is grown outdoors in frost-free climates. One plant fills a pot 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) across.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowers form in early winter, from late November to January, set off by long nights and cool autumn temperatures. Each flower lasts several days, and a plant blooms over several weeks. Bud formation depends on twelve to fourteen hours of darkness each night for several weeks beforehand.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink, red, white, purpleFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in bright indirect light in a free-draining, organic potting mix made for cactus or epiphytes, with a soil pH from 5.5 to 6.5. Water needs are medium during growth and bloom, letting the top of the mix dry between waterings, and lower while resting after flowering. As a tender epiphyte it is hardy outdoors only in USDA zones 10–12 and is grown indoors elsewhere. Cool nights around 50–55°F (10–13°C) and long darkness in autumn are needed to set buds, and buds drop if the plant is moved or chilled during this stage. Overwatering causes the segments to soften and rot.Pruning
A few stem segments are twisted off after flowering to encourage branching and more flower tips. The removed segments root easily in moist mix to make new plants. No other pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons