A gorgeous trailing cactus with pretty segmented stems and colourful winter flowers. Schlumbergera is a festive favourite that can flower from November to January — with a little seasonal encouragement.
Bright, indirect light is ideal. Avoid strong direct sun, which can scorch or discolour the plant.
Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil feels dry. Keep watering sparingly through winter.
18–24°C is ideal, although it can tolerate temperatures down to around 12°C. Slightly cooler conditions can actually help encourage those beautiful flower buds.
Want more blooms? Give your Christmas cactus cooler temperatures and minimal watering for about a month before flowering time.
Once it's finished flowering, give the tips a little trim to encourage a fuller, bushier shape.
Feed with houseplant fertiliser between April and September to support healthy growth.
It enjoys a little extra humidity, but normal household conditions are usually perfectly fine.
MAX+BETTY verdict:
A little winter show-off that likes bright light, cooler nights and not too much fuss. 🎄🌸
