Plant Bio

Christmas cacti bloom just in time for the holidays (hence their name), and they’re pretty stunning, too. The hanging branches, which are made up of flat, glossy green segments, can grow up to 3 feet long. Flowers in red, white, yellow, pink, or purple appear at the tips of these branches and measure up to 3 inches long, with several tiers of petals. Each bloom lasts for several days, and the entire flowering period of most cultivars will span several weeks. But to keep these plants looking beautiful, you need to follow all the steps involved in proper Christmas cactus care.

Certain factors can help — or hinder — your Christmas cactus’s potential. For example, this Brazilian coastal plant (which is also known as Schlumbergera) favors more humid conditions than desert-dwelling species do. Plus, it needs extended periods of darkness before it can begin flowering.