How to Care for Thanksgiving Cactus: A Complete Guide
The Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is a beautiful and vibrant plant that is often associated with the holiday season. With its stunning, tubular flowers in a variety of colors like pink, red, white, and purple, the Thanksgiving cactus brings joy and cheer during the fall months, typically blooming around Thanksgiving—hence its name. It’s one of the most popular holiday cacti, alongside the Christmas cactus and Easter cactus, all belonging to the Schlumbergera genus.
Unlike desert cacti that thrive in dry, arid environments, the Thanksgiving cactus is an epiphytic plant that originates from the cool, humid, and shaded conditions of Brazil’s rainforests. Because of this, it requires specific care to flourish and bloom during the colder months. In this complete guide, we will walk you through how to care for your Thanksgiving cactus, covering everything from its unique growing environment to water, light, soil, temperature needs, and more.
What is a Thanksgiving Cactus?
The Thanksgiving cactus is an epiphytic cactus, meaning it naturally grows on trees or rocks in its native rainforest environment, instead of in the soil. This characteristic is crucial in understanding its care requirements. Its flat, segmented stems are different from the spiny, cylindrical stems of typical desert cacti. The segmented stems grow in a zigzag pattern, which gives the plant a unique appearance.
Unlike its desert cousins, the Thanksgiving cactus does not have the typical spines or needles but instead features soft, pointed edges. It blooms in late fall (around Thanksgiving), producing colorful flowers that are often tubular in shape, a trait that distinguishes it from the blooms of other holiday cacti.
The plant’s growth habit is slow, and it typically reaches a mature height of about 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm), making it perfect for indoor containers. Thanksgiving cacti can live for many years with proper care and bloom annually, adding beauty and charm to your home during the holiday season.
Choosing the Right Location for Your Thanksgiving Cactus
The Thanksgiving cactus has specific environmental requirements that are different from the needs of desert cacti. Understanding these needs is essential to ensuring that your plant thrives.
Sunlight Requirements
Unlike desert cacti that love full sun, the Thanksgiving cactus prefers bright, indirect light. In its native rainforest habitat, it receives dappled light through the canopy, which is essential for its growth and blooming cycle. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves of the plant, so it is best to keep it out of the harsh afternoon sun.
When growing the Thanksgiving cactus indoors, place it near a north or east-facing window where it can get bright, indirect light. If the light is too harsh, you can use sheer curtains to filter it.
If you don't have a window that provides sufficient light, you can also place your plant under grow lights to simulate the conditions it would experience in its native habitat.
Temperature and Humidity
The Thanksgiving cactus is well-suited to moderate temperatures and higher humidity. It prefers temperatures between 60°F and 70°F (15°C - 21°C) during the day, but it can tolerate a slight drop in temperature at night. However, it is important to keep it away from drafts, hot radiators, or air conditioning vents, as extreme temperature fluctuations can negatively impact the plant.
In terms of humidity, the Thanksgiving cactus thrives in moderate to high humidity. Since it originates from the humid rainforests of Brazil, it enjoys the moisture in the air. In dry climates or homes with dry indoor air, it is important to increase humidity by:
- Misting the plant with water, especially during the winter when indoor air tends to be dry.
- Using a humidifier in the room to maintain moisture in the air.
- Placing a humidity tray filled with water and pebbles beneath the plant. Make sure the pot doesn’t sit directly in the water, as this can cause root rot.
Ideal Location for Thanksgiving Cactus
Because of its temperature and humidity requirements, the Thanksgiving cactus is best kept indoors. If you want to place it outside, be sure the climate is warm enough, with no risk of frost, and that it is in a spot that receives dappled or indirect sunlight. A shaded porch or balcony could be an ideal location if temperatures are mild.
Soil Requirements for Thanksgiving Cactus
As an epiphytic cactus, the Thanksgiving cactus does not grow in typical desert soil. Instead, it thrives in well-draining, light, slightly acidic soil that mimics the organic material found in its native rainforest environment. The soil should be able to retain some moisture without becoming soggy, as this can lead to root rot.
Ideal Soil Mix
To create the ideal growing medium, use a well-draining potting mix, such as cactus or succulent potting mix. However, because epiphytic plants also need organic matter to thrive, it’s beneficial to add additional components to the mix to improve water retention and drainage.
A good soil mix for your Thanksgiving cactus includes:
- 2 parts cactus or succulent potting mix.
- 1 part peat moss (for moisture retention).
- 1 part perlite (for good drainage).
This mixture will provide the perfect balance of moisture retention and drainage, keeping the roots happy while preventing the plant from sitting in water.
Watering Your Thanksgiving Cactus
Watering is a critical aspect of Thanksgiving cactus care. As an epiphyte, the plant’s roots need to be kept moist but not soggy. Overwatering is one of the most common issues with this plant, as it can quickly lead to root rot. To avoid overwatering, always make sure the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry before you water again.
When to Water
-
Spring and Summer (Growing Season): During the growing season, when the plant is actively growing, water your Thanksgiving cactus every 1-2 weeks or when the top inch of soil feels dry. The plant needs more water during this time, but be sure to never let it sit in water.
-
Fall and Winter (Dormancy/Blooming Period): In the fall and winter, when the plant enters dormancy and begins to bloom, water less frequently. Only water when the soil feels dry to the touch, which might be every 2-3 weeks. Avoid overwatering during this period, as too much moisture can interfere with the blooming process.
How to Water
When watering, always water the plant thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom of the pot. Make sure that your pot has proper drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating in the bottom of the pot, as this could cause root rot. Avoid wetting the stems or flowers directly, as this can lead to fungal infections.
If your Thanksgiving cactus is in a humidity tray, be sure to check the water level regularly and replace the water as needed.
Fertilizing Your Thanksgiving Cactus
Fertilizing your Thanksgiving cactus will encourage healthy growth and vibrant blooms. However, it’s important not to over-fertilize, as this can harm the plant.
When to Fertilize
-
Spring and Summer (Growing Season): Fertilize your Thanksgiving cactus once a month during the growing season using a balanced liquid fertilizer or fertilizer designed for cacti and succulents. A 10-10-10 (NPK) fertilizer works well, but be sure to dilute it to about half the recommended strength to avoid overfeeding.
-
Fall and Winter (Blooming Period): Stop fertilizing during the blooming period. The plant should be allowed to focus its energy on producing flowers rather than on new growth.
How to Fertilize
Always apply fertilizer to moist soil—this helps to prevent burning the roots. After fertilizing, make sure to water the plant thoroughly to wash away any residual fertilizer from the leaves and stems.
Encouraging Blooming in Thanksgiving Cactus
One of the reasons the Thanksgiving cactus is so cherished is for its stunning, vibrant blooms. To encourage your Thanksgiving cactus to bloom during the fall (around Thanksgiving), it needs to go through a period of rest and darkness to trigger flower production.
How to Encourage Blooming
-
Provide darkness: To initiate the blooming process, your Thanksgiving cactus needs a period of 12-14 hours of darkness each day for several weeks. Starting in early October, move the plant to a dark room or closet for 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness. During the daytime, place it in bright, indirect light.
-
Cool temperatures: Keep the plant in cool temperatures of 50-55°F (10-13°C) at night. Avoid placing it near heat sources, as warmth can inhibit blooming.
-
Reduce watering: During the bloom period, water the plant less frequently. Let the soil dry out a bit more between waterings to simulate the plant’s natural environment.
-
Be patient: After 6-8 weeks of darkness and cooler temperatures, you should start to see buds forming. At this point, you can return the plant to its normal location and continue regular care.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Even though Thanksgiving cacti are relatively easy to care for, they can sometimes experience a few issues:
-
Yellowing leaves or weak growth: This can be caused by overwatering, under-watering, or lack of nutrients. Make sure you are watering correctly and using the appropriate soil mix. Also, check that your plant is receiving the right amount of light.
-
No blooms: If your Thanksgiving cactus isn’t blooming, it could be due to too much light, too much water, or insufficient darkness during the fall months. Ensure the plant gets the required 12-14 hours of darkness each day in the lead-up to blooming.
-
Pests: Thanksgiving cacti are sometimes susceptible to pests such as mealybugs, aphids, or spider mites. Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove mealybugs, or treat the plant with insecticidal soap for other pests.
-
Root rot: If the leaves are wilting or the plant is mushy, root rot could be the issue. Make sure your pot has proper drainage and avoid letting the plant sit in water.
Conclusion
The Thanksgiving cactus is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant that can add color and life to your home during the fall and holiday seasons. With its stunning blooms, moderate care needs, and long lifespan, this plant makes an excellent addition to any indoor garden. By providing the right environment with proper light, temperature, humidity, and water, you can enjoy its beauty for many years to come. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, following this comprehensive care guide will ensure your Thanksgiving cactus thrives and produces vibrant flowers each year for the holiday season.
