Whitesun 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 needs light shade and well-drained soil. It tolerates occasional drying, but overly wet soils will cause root rot. It blooms in the spring around Easter, hence the common name.
It 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. Christmas Cactus has teardrop-shaped scallops and Thanksgiving Cactus has spiny, crab-claw-like edges on its stem segments. The Easter Cactus is less popular and less frequently offered for sale. It is more finicky than either of its cousins and drop stem segments if it is over- or underwatered. Grow it in a bright but not direct light, in moist, well-draining cactus potting mix. It prefers high humidity so 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 it once a month. The plants can be placed outdoors in a shady location for the warm summer month. An outdoor "holiday" will harden the new growth and help the flower buds form. Move it back indoors, away from artificial lights (plants are daylength sensitive) in the fall. 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.
Quick ID Hints:- Stem segments (cladodes) elongate, crenate
- Leaves inconspicuous, brown bristle-like
- Flowers broad diameter, short-tubed, scarlet
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:
-
- Tags:


- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhipsalidopsis
- Species:
- gaertneri
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. Brazil
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 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 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 Description:
- Oblong, ca 0.5", red.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Funnelform-campanulate, 1.5 to 3 inches in diam., tube short, perianth parts numerous, intense scarlet, stamens inserted at base of tube. It blooms in the spring, around Easter.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Soft, deciduous, brown, bristle-like. See stem section.
-
-
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
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil