Easter Cactus Schlumbergera gaertneri

Easter Cactus is an epiphytic house plant that needs light shade and well-drained soil.  It tolerates dry soil 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 to its stem segments.  The Easter Cactus is less popular and much harder to find for sale.  It is more finicky than either of its cousins dropping stem segments if it is over or underwater.  Plant it in a bright but not direct sun window in moist well-draining cactus potting soil.  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.  To get knock out flowers move the plant outdoors in the summer to a protected shady location. This will harden up the new growth and help the flower buds form.  Move it back indoors in the fall.  The Easter Cactus does not form its flower buds until the following year around February-March when the days start getting longer.  The plant will typically bloom between late March and May.

Quick ID Hints:

• Cladophylls elongate, crenate
• Leaves soft, 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.

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