Plant DetailShow Menu

Easter Cactus Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Epiphyllopsis gaertneri
  • Hatiora gaertneri
  • Rhipsalis gaertneri
  • Schlumbergera gaertneri
Phonetic Spelling
rip-sa-li-DOP-sis GART-near-eye
Description

Easter Cactus is an epiphytic house plant that is native to the coastal mountains of Southern Brazil where it grows naturally on trees. It has a bushy and sprawling habit, spineless, flat segmented, rounded stems, and star-shaped flowers that bloom during the Easter season. It grows 6 to 12 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide. It is a member of the cactus family (Cactaceae). The genus name, Rhipsalidopsis, originates from Rhipsalis, meaning stem, and opis, meaning "looking like.' The specific epithet, gaertneri, honors the Gaertner family who were early settlers in Brazil. Gaertner is German for "gardener."

This plant prefers bright, indirect light, and moist well-drained, cactus potting mix. It prefers high humidity; therefore, misting, putting a saucer with rocks and water under the pot, or placing the plant in a bathroom can be helpful. When it is actively growing, fertilize the plant once a month. It is best to keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering. Reduce watering during the dormant months of winter. Temperatures should range from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but cooler temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit in late winter will promote blooming. The plants can be placed outdoors in a shady location for the warm summer months. An outdoor "holiday" will harden the new growth and help the flower buds form. Move it back indoors, away from artificial lights in the fall (these plants are day length sensitive).

The stems are green, flat, segmented, smooth, rounded, and spineless with tiny soft bristles on the edges. The flowers are star-shaped, up to 3 inches in diameter, and may be in shades of red, pink, or white. The Easter Cactus does not form its flower buds until the following year around February or March, when the days start getting longer. The plant will typically bloom between late March and May.

The Easter cactus is often confused with Thanksgiving (Schlumbergera. truncata) and Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi), but you can tell the difference because the flattened stems have rounded scallops. The Easter Cactus is less popular and less frequently offered for sale. It is more finicky than either of its cousins and drops stem segments if it is overwatered or underwatered.

This plant will provide vibrant blooms in the spring as a houseplant or container planting on your patio. 


Quick ID Hints:

  • Stem segments (cladodes) rounded with a few brownish or yellowish bristles at the tips
  • Flowers broad diameter, short-tubed, star-shaped
  • Fruits dull red, oblong, 15 mm long

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant may be susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, and scale. Root rot and gray mold can occur. It is important to have good air circulation and humidity control. Scorched leaves can result from direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Columbia'
    orange flower
  • 'Scorpius'
    bright red blooms
  • 'Sirius'
    white blooms
'Columbia', 'Scorpius', 'Sirius'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#succulent#epiphytic#interiorscape#low maintenance#spring flowers#pet friendly#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#red fruits#fantz#cactus#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#perennial#long lived
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Columbia'
    orange flower
  • 'Scorpius'
    bright red blooms
  • 'Sirius'
    white blooms
'Columbia', 'Scorpius', 'Sirius'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#succulent#epiphytic#interiorscape#low maintenance#spring flowers#pet friendly#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#red fruits#fantz#cactus#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#perennial#long lived
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rhipsalidopsis
    Species:
    gaertneri
    Family:
    Cactaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Brazil
    Distribution:
    Native: Brazil South. Introduced:Honduras
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Rounded
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is dull, red, oblong, 15 mm long, and produced during the summer.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    Tepals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are star-shaped, funnelform-campanulate, 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter, short tubed, perianth parts numerous, intense scarlet stamens inserted at base of the tube. It blooms in the spring between March and May in shades of red, pink, or white.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Cylindric, angled, segmented. Cladodes flat, oblong or elliptic, truncate, 1.5 to 2.5 inches long and 0.75 to 1 inch wide, weakly crenate (rounded scalloped edges). These round margins and the presence of bristles at the tips distinguish it from other species.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Dry Soil