For 11 months, our little house plant sits in the corner, biding its time. Then, at Christmas, it goes into full bloom. It is, after all, a Christmas Cactus.
Except, our little plant gets excited when the Christmas lights go up, and Christmas music echoes throughout the house. Then he blooms prematurely, sometimes as early as Thanksgiving.
Christmas cactus is a favorite house plant that is low maintenance, lovely when in bloom and can live as long as some turtles. It is native to rain forests, and since it gets most of its moisture from humidity, it needs very little care and watering. We have found that if you go easy on the water in October and November, it waits longer to bloom. We’ve got it timed about right; I believe.
Not that it matters, but the official name of our plant is Schlumbergera, a genus that includes several species of blooming cactus plants native to Brazil. These plants typically have leaf-like pads that join one another, and the plant adds pads as it ages. The blooms come in a variety of colors including white, pink, yellow, orange, red or purple.
The plants are relatively easy to care for. They require free draining, humus-rich soil, somewhat acidic. They do best when the soil is kept just moist, not overly or under watered. They like just a small amount of light. Too much or too little sun can prevent flowering. A monthly dose of liquid fertilizer at half-strength keeps it happy. No pruning is necessary.
Christmas Cactus plants, by the way, make very nice gifts for fellow plant lovers. They sell for about $20 to $30 each. A Christmas cactus makes a nice gift and if you happen to get one, you can enjoy it for years – no matter when it blooms. Though ours began blooming back in November, there were still a few pink and white blooms remaining on Christmas Day. It’s an Almost Christmas Cactus.