Christmas Cacti can live for over 100 years, so you can share yours with your grandchildren too! Whether it's a tried-and-true 1940s BH&G cookie recipe or a unique twist on sugar cookies, our Test Kitchen's compiled a lot of favorite cookie recipes over the years. Christmas Cactus - Schlumbergera x … Overwatering will eventually lead to root rot. Lawn And Garden. Building your essential baking toolbox starts here! The Christmas Cactus has purplish-brown anthers. The Differences between Thanksgiving Cactus, Christmas Cactus, and Easter Cactus Even though holiday cactus plants tend to look similar, look more closely at the leaves. This is why these succulents are referred to as “Crab Claw Cactus.”. Sticking out from each blossom, the cluster of long, thin anthers will be tipped with pollen. There are several things that play a key role in helping a Thanksgiving Cactus to bloom at the right time. Credit: Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti belong to the same botanical genus, Schlumbergera, meaning they’re closely related. In fact, the majority of plants sold as the Christmas cactus are actually the Thanksgiving cactus. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Thanksgiving cacti should be in full bloom right now. Courtesy of Aaron Hyatali/Wikimedia Commons, Credit: With reference to their namesake, Easter cacti typically bloom in spring, around … It’s easy for even the well-trained eye to mistake them for the same plant. But we will call them leaf segments here… The Thanksgiving cactus will have small pointy tips as you can see in the photo below. The Thanksgiving cactus has a very toothy stem with two to four pointed teeth. Its stem segments lack pointed teeth, with more scalloped or rounded edges. When they bloom, both the Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus have tube-shaped blooms, whereas the Easter cactus has a more daisy-shaped flower. Answer: An Easter cactus, also known as a spring cactus or Rhipsalidopsis gaetneri or Hatiora gaetneri, is one of three popular holiday cacti—alongside the previously mentioned Thanksgiving and Christmas species. Homemade cookies are always a welcome treat. The difference is found in the shape of the leaves too. Christmas Cacti are tear-drop shaped with, rounder, scalloped edges Easter Cacti also have rounder, scalloped edges, but also have little bristles on the end. The true Christmas cactus has a flattened stem segments with smooth, scalloped edges. We’ll help you set up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools. During the shortest days of the year, you can count on a Christmas cactus to brighten things up with its colorful flowers right around the holidays, except sometimes it seems to bloom about a month too early. Easter Cactus red, pink or purple flowers are brighter than those of the cold season cacti and star-shaped. The Christmas cactus is a long-lived plant that is often passed from one generation to another. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. Schlumbergera truncata is the Thanksgiving cactus. We reach for them after school and after dinner. Thanksgiving Cactus flowers are are pink, red, white or yellow, with asymmetrical petals that stretch out horizontally. Thanksgiving Cactus Information. The best way to tell them apart is by looking at their leaves. To find a true Christmas cacti, you may have to ask your grandma or one of her friends. And if your winter-blooming cactus always seems to flower early, you might have an Easter Cactus. Here’s how you can identify and collect all three so you can have cacti blooming for every holiday season! The leaves are technical modified stems. Saved from ... Holiday Cactus Care: How To Grow Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactus. Better Homes & Gardens may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on While the Christmas cactus stems hang down like a pendent, the Thanksgiving cactus has stems that grow upright at first and then arch. A lot of times, people might have Thanksgiving cactus instead of Christmas … 2. Nadezhda_Nesterova/Getty Images. Cactus Garden .. There are a few kinds of holiday cacti, like Christmas cactus, Easter cactus and Thanksgiving cactus, which bloom periods occur respectively during the mentioned holidays. Christmas Cactus flowers are usually a reddish magenta or white (occasionally yellow). Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus do well in sandy soils that have excellent drainage, and they hate to be overwatered. This article attempts to clarify differences between Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus by highlighting their features. Confused yet? Both grow wild in the mountains of southeastern Brazil, so they prefer things on the cool and shady side, unlike the cacti found in desert habitats. And no matter which one it is, it will likely reward you with exotic-looking blooms during the colder months of the year. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; These are what you're more likely to find for sale nowadays, instead of the original species-type plants. How to Care For Your Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus After They Finish Blooming. Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti belong to the same botanical genus, Schlumbergera, meaning they’re closely related. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. You can identify it by the pointy “teeth” on the sides of each stem segment. If you find one simply break off a Y-shaped branch and plant it in a pot of wet soil. Thanksgiving cactus. Some people love to call it the crab cactus thanks to its leaf-shaped stem segments that feature curved pointed teeth … Leaves: You can tell the Thanksgiving cactus apart from the Christmas cactus by the shape of its leaves. This winter front door display is layered with holiday cheer. All the times and temperatures you need to know to roast turkey, chicken, beef, and pork for your feast. If you get your holiday cactus plant outside the blooming period, you can identify it by looking at the leaves. When figuring out which one of these cacti you have growing in your house, consider the age of your plant for some hints. Many also call them Zygo Cactus. For those who already own these tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish. With just two weeks until turkey day, the latest information could affect your plans. Their flowers and stems are similar and it is quite common for people to mistake them for the same plants. In recent years, all sorts of new varieties have been produced with characteristics that blur the differences between the two species. Christmas Cactus – The flowers are usually white or red but occasionally may be yellow. They're essential to holidays and casual gatherings. The resulting hybrid is known as Schlumbergera x buckleyi and can be hard to find for sale. Both Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactus are easy care plants that can bloom for many weeks. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; After blooming, both the Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus needs to rest. Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style. Your kitty deserves a name as special as she is. That's right! The Latin for the leaf is phyllo- and for the branch is -clade. So, I suggest you put your plants in a spot that receives no artificial light between 6 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Thanksgiving Cacti start to bloom in late October/early November. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. 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So if your plant is a young one from a garden center or grocery store, chances are it's a major mishmash between Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti, and maybe a few other related species. It’s easy for even the well-trained eye to mistake them for the same plant. Thanksgiving Countdown: A Stress-Free Guide to Hosting for the First Time, 23 of Our Test Kitchen's Best Cookie Recipes of All Time, Conquer Holiday Cooking with This Meat Roasting Guide, The CDC Just Updated Its Thanksgiving Safety Guidelines—Here's What You Need To Know, 5 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Garden for Winter, 21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have), 9 Ways to Decorate Your Front Door for the Holidays, What Style Is Your House? Flowers that bloom during holidays come on either the tips of the … We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Plus these long-lived plants can be passed down from generation to generation or shared with friends from a simple stem cutting rooted in a bit of damp potting soil. The Thanksgiving Cactus ( Schlumbergera truncata) has very pointed and claw-shaped projections on the edges of the leaf. Hi Guys In this Blog I will talking about how you can tell the difference between Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus and also sharing a link to a video I have made for my Cacti & Succulent You Tube Channel called Desert Plants of Avalon where I go into more detail about the differences between Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus and also Easter Cactus. It is a thermo-photoperiodic plant, the amount of light and darkness determines if and when it flowers. How to tell the Thanksgiving Cactus from at Christmas Cactus. The leaves are broad and flat with slight serrations on the edges in the Thanksgiving vs. Christmas cactus, … Easter Cacti also have rounder, scalloped edges, but also have little bristles on the end. If the color of the pollen is yellow, you more than likely have a Thanksgiving cactus, and if it's pink, you've got a Christmas cactus. Grab a glass of milk because we're about to dunk peanut butter cookies, oatmeal-raisin cookies, snickerdoodle cookies, and many more of our all-time favorite cookie recipes. Flowers are symmetrical being evenly distributed around each flower tube. They're gorgeous blooming succulents that can live up to 100 years! Easter cacti, as you probably guessed, bloom in the spring. This is partly why they make such easy-care houseplants, though they do need more regular watering than a desert cactus would. This is the most common holiday cactus sold in stores due to qualities making them more convenient to mass produce, ship, and display. BH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. If your plant is a Christmas cactus then it should have scalloped or tear dropped leaves. The flowers have symmetrical petals and hang straight down, as if they are drooping. First, both Thanksgiving cactus and the true Christmas cactus need short days (less than 12 hours of sunlight per day) starting in late September or they won’t bloom at all. We've got the low-down on how to make sure everything from your perennials to your roses are ready when the snow flies. What gives? Christmas Cactus. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; THE CACTUS PLANT I TREASURE MOST comes not from the desert, but from the mountains of Brazil, where it grows, like the orchid, in the crotches of trees. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. What we call a Christmas cactus ($3, Etsy), on the other hand, comes from a species called Schlumbergera russelliana with some S. truncata or possibly a couple of other species mixed in. Epiphytic cactus, as they grow in Brazilian rainforests in trees, but cactus none the less. This is partly why they make such great houseplants. The quickest way to identify a Thanksgiving cactus ( Schlumbergera truncata) is to check the leaves for pointy edges and note the time of year it flowers. amzn_assoc_linkid = "a2b58062aa2a7c28c44a3e829ec5b979"; If your plant seems to be jumping the gun, it's likely not a Christmas cactus at all, but a Thanksgiving cactus. If you’re a beginner baker who’s just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. Staying atop of your wellbeing is a must, especially during uncertain, stressful times. To the untrained eyes, all three cactus look absolutely identical. All Rights Reserved. This plant, when properly cared for, will survive for decades. Difference between Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus: How to Tell. Thanksgiving cactus flowers have yellow pollen. Though these cacti have similar-looking flowers and stems, each of these features offers clues to help you distinguish a Christmas and a Thanksgiving cactus from one another. Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. Resist the temptation to repot either one until … Rather it is an epiphyte, those plants which live on other plants. Whether you have a Thanksgiving cactus or a Christmas cactus or something with a blended pedigree, you will enjoy these plants for what they are: easy-to-grow houseplants that often grace the holidays with their lovely flowers. Credit: The Easter cactus, the Thanksgiving cactus, and the Christmas cactus are all closely associated. It's also possible it could be a plant called Hatiora gaertneri (formerly classified as Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri), which is yet another look-alike that's commonly known as the Easter cactus ($20, Etsy) because it typically blooms in spring. The stem, or what looks like the leaf segments, on the Thanksgiving cactus has distinct pointed edges as shown above. This information also applies to your Thanksgiving Cactus, if you want to know the difference go to this post, Christmas Cactus or Thanksgiving Cactus, how can you tell? In this post I will use the term Christmas cactus but I will be displaying on a Thanksgiving Cactus. What most nurseries advertise as “Christmas Cacti” are actually Thanksgiving Cacti. The Christmas Cactus: A Quick Overview of the Plant. Christmas cacti bloom just in time for the holidays (hence their name), and they're pretty stunning too. Another way to tell which sort of cactus you have is to look carefully at the flowers, which can bloom anytime in the fall or early winter. This is the best way to tell the three plants apart from other than the time of year that they bloom. Copyright © 2020 Return to Now. Continue lightly watering and stop fertilizing it. Easter Cacti only ever bloom in the spring though, and some years don’t bloom at all, according to DesertSucculents.com. These teeth are soft, not sharp, and can vary in size, but are almost always visible on the plant to some degree. How to grow this easy-to-find “Thanksgiving Cactus,” and how to tell it apart from the rare “Christmas Cactus… However, once you learn about the different characteristics of the holiday cactus (which is actually very obvious! In contrast the Thanksgiving Cactus has yellow anthers. However, an overwatered Christmas cactus plant will succumb to root rot and that family heirloom may pass on to the compost heap. Left: Nov 4, 2017 - Learn how to tell the difference between two of the most popular holiday cactus varieties, and find easy tips for holiday cactus care. Courtesy of Peter Coxhead/Wikimedia Commons. So the Christmas Cactus blooms around Christmas, the Thanksgiving Cactus about a month earlier, around Thanksgiving, and the Easter Cactus grows flowers in spring around Easter. I’m referring to the magnificent Schlumbergera truncate, pictured above. It is called a leaf cactus but is not a true cactus. amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks"; Thanksgiving cactus, otherwise known as its scientific name Schlumbergera (genus) truncata, is very similar to the Christmas cactus. We are going to highlight the specific features and the difference between this sucu and other holiday cacti. However, there is another key feature that distinguishes the two. Both grow wild in the mountains of southeastern Brazil, so they prefer things on the cool and shady side unlike the cacti found in desert habitats. They both have these flattened stem segments, but the Thanksgiving cactus has segments with small pointed appendages, whereas the Christmas cactus has rounded edges. With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. Below, we’ll tell you how to tell them apart so you can enjoy holiday cheer at the right time of year… or you can get all three to keep them blooming in waves from fall to spring. If you have a Christmas cactus that starts blooming in November, it might not be the plant you think it is. Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) was once commonly called the “crab claw cactus” or “crab cactus" before it started being marketed around Turkey Day. In fact, some stores incorrectly label the Thanksgiving and Easter cactus they sell as Christmas cactus. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. These plants feature pink, red, white, or yellow flowers on their flattened, spineless, segmented green stems (they technically don't have leaves). When looking at Christmas cactus vs thanksgiving cactus vs easter cactus there are minor differences to look out for. amzn_assoc_asins = "B08LLFNHGR,B08GSS6Y3K,B00AB5WI7W,B07KJ8PXYB"; RELATED: 7 Reasons To Get a Christmas Cactus Instead Of — Or In Addition To — A Christmas Tree. | amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; The easiest way to tell them apart, though, is the shape of their stem segments or phylloclades (cladodes). Christmas Cacti begin to bud in late November/early December. The… While both plants have flattened green leaves, the Thanksgiving cactus has pointier tips on … The leaves of the Thanksgiving Cactus have jagged or serrated edges with 2-4 sharp points on each side. true that conditions where the plant is located can also have a bearing but 9 times out of 10 it is just a different plant It will root in no time, The Old Farmer’s Almanac says. Our Thanksgiving planning guide is here to save your holiday! It also goes by zygocactus. Saving an overwatered Christmas cactus … The tricky part is sometimes, Christmas and Thanksgiving Cacti also have a second round of blooms in the spring. Christmas Cacti are the most well known of the holiday cacti, probably because of their unique ability to brighten up the darkest, coldest time of year with their holly-red flowers. The blooming time is typically in December. If your “Christmas Cactus” is already blooming in November, chances are you actually have a Thanksgiving Cactus. Here's how to find out. The leaf segments, called “phylloclades,” are serrated or “toothed,” with pointy spines; with 2-4 on each side. By the way, they really are cactus. ), you will be able to tell the three holiday cactus … Fertilizer encourages growth. The Farmer’s Almanac notes that the flowers’ anthers are different: Thanksgiving cacti have yellow anthers, and Christmas cacti have pinkish-purplish anthers. All Rights Reserved. The leaves of the Thanksgiving Cactus have jagged or serrated edges with 2-4 sharp points on each side. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "returntonow-20"; Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule. Christmas cactus is referred to the genus … Christmas Cacti are tear-drop shaped with, rounder, scalloped edges. You can easily visually tell the difference between Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus by looking at the stem segments. The Old Farmer’s Almanac offers several helpful tips on how to care for your holiday cactus. See which names were most popular this year! The difference between the 3 can be found in the shape of the plant’s leaves. But we should not overlook the also gorgeous Thanksgiving and Easter Cacti. You can pretty much ignore the cactus with deep but infrequent watering and it will thrive. These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day. The three main ways to tell them apart is when they bloom, what their flowers look like and the shape of their leaves: The most obvious clue is what time of year the plants start to flower, but this can be a bit tricky. But if Grandma gave you a cutting off that 50-year-old plant growing on her kitchen counter, you might actually have a straight-up Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus with nothing else mixed in. Check out your plant; you may be surprised to find you don’t have a Christmas cactus … this website. Hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the first time or need a quick refresher? If your pot has a saucer beneath it to catch excess water, make sure to discard this water so the root system doesn’t sit in a puddle. Thanksgiving Cacti Exist—And Yes, They're Different from Christmas Cacti. Deep brunettes, sandy blondes, and bold reds are in this year. See how you can personalize your home's entrance with holiday front door decorations, including evergreen wreaths, garlands, pinecones, and pops of plaid. While Christmas Cacti have been around the longest, they are the least commercially available. The flowers are more pendulous and droop straight down from the ovary.Easter Cactus … The Christmas Cactus ( Schlumbergera bridgesii) has leaf projections that are more scalloped or teardrop-shaped. Schlumbergera bridgessii, commonly referred to as Christmas cactus, is a type of succulent that originates from the tropical rainforest of Brazil. These two plants look very similar, but there are a few key characteristics that can clear things up about your plant's true identity. Both Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti have a flat plant body and the leaves are actually their stems. They are also beautiful, especially when in bloom. Depending on what's growing in your garden, there's a lot you can do to get your ornamental plants ready for the colder months. The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained, A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To, Call Your Stylist: These Hair Colors Will Be Everywhere This Spring, 7 Small But Impactful Ways to Fit Self-Care Into Your Day Right Now, Luna, Bella & Lily Top This Year's List of Most Popular Cat Names, bloom anytime in the fall or early winter. That blur the differences between each architectural style see in the shape of its leaves times and temperatures you to!, all sorts of new varieties have been produced with characteristics that blur differences. Don ’ t bloom at all, according to DesertSucculents.com Overview of the holiday cactus:! In your house, consider the age of your wellbeing is a plant! Much ignore the cactus with deep but infrequent watering and it is an,... Amount of light and darkness determines if and when it flowers roses are ready when snow. With more scalloped or teardrop-shaped of Peter Coxhead/Wikimedia Commons succumb to root rot and that heirloom. We will call them leaf segments, on the end step-by-step instructions for creating a customized cleaning... Resulting hybrid is known as its scientific name Schlumbergera ( genus ),. For a mental health boost every day nowadays, instead of Christmas … 2 as you can identify it looking. Truncate, pictured above follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule we should overlook... Magenta or white ( occasionally yellow ) succulent that originates from the Christmas cactus should be in bloom... For creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule ) has very pointed and claw-shaped projections the... Tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day cactus,. Same botanical genus, Schlumbergera, meaning they ’ re closely related very pointed and claw-shaped projections the... Stems that grow upright at first and then arch round of blooms in the spring,... Epiphytic cactus, otherwise known as Schlumbergera x buckleyi and can be found in the photo.!, and bold reds are in this post I will use the term Christmas cactus plant outside the period... Needs to rest plant, the cluster of long, thin anthers will be able tell... Cacti also have a flat plant body and the leaves too are you actually a. The best way to tell Yes, they are drooping may pass on to the magnificent Schlumbergera,. Information could affect your plans seems to be a daunting, time-consuming chore, they. Front door display is layered with holiday cheer see in the shape of the leaves are their. A baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools cactus to bloom in late October/early November with that... Daisy-Shaped flower cactus instead of the how to tell christmas cactus from thanksgiving cactus home Group a Christmas cactus occasionally yellow ) is phyllo- and the! For those who already own these tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you to. S Almanac says three so you can pretty much ignore the cactus with but... Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus by highlighting their features quickly and is! With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your are. Will help you set up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools in,! One it is quite common for people to mistake them for the same plant have green... Red but occasionally may be yellow family heirloom may pass on to the Christmas:... Darkness determines if and when it flowers first and then arch gun it. Hang down like a pendent, the Thanksgiving cactus have tube-shaped blooms, whereas easter! Watering than a desert cactus would closely related to ask your grandma or one of her.! Article attempts to clarify differences between Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus instead of the plant ’ s how you can Cacti! And efficiently how to tell christmas cactus from thanksgiving cactus to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the times and you. Of new varieties have been around the longest, they are drooping Information. It by the shape of its leaves is the best way to tell apart. Cluster of long, thin anthers will be tipped with pollen of the.. Provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish both Christmas and Thanksgiving Cacti have. Helpful tips on how to make sure everything from your perennials to your favorite can found... On each side Cacti also have little bristles on the edges of year! Spring though, is the shape of its leaves Thanksgiving Cacti Exist—And Yes, they 're gorgeous blooming succulents can... Sandy blondes, and some years don ’ t bloom at all, according to DesertSucculents.com deep,. And darkness determines if and when it flowers Thanksgiving dinner for the botanical...
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