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Schlumbergera russelliana

Previously known as:

  • Epiphyllum russellianum
  • Schlumbergera bridgesii
  • Zygocactus bridgesii
Phonetic Spelling
shlum-BER-ger-uh rus-sel-lee-AY-nuh
Description

Thanksgiving or Christmas Cactus has leafless green stems which act as leaves to photosynthesize. The stems are composed of flattened segments that vary in length from 0.5 to 1.5 inches long and 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. A few notches occur along the edges of these segments. Areoles with 1 or 2 bristles appear at these notches and at the ends of stems from which flower buds appear. The showy flowers come in shades of pink and have a "flower inside a flower" look. They are native to coastal mountains in SE Brazil and usually grow in trees as an epiphyte in rain forests. 

Most of the plants sold in stores today are sterile hybrids of S. russelliana and S. truncata. There are over 200 cultivars of these plants giving  a variety of flower colors.

Plant in light soils and give it bright light. Provide moisture but do not overwater. They will do best if given time outdoors in the summer through fall. The shorter cooler days of fall will help induce flower budding. 

 

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

More information on Schlumbergera.

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Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#fall flowers#white flowers#succulent#pink flowers#red flowers#epiphytic#pet friendly#hanging baskets#winter flowers#Christmas decorations#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#long lived
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#fall flowers#white flowers#succulent#pink flowers#red flowers#epiphytic#pet friendly#hanging baskets#winter flowers#Christmas decorations#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#long lived
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Schlumbergera
    Species:
    russelliana
    Family:
    Cactaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    S.E. Brazil
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Rounded
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is yellow-green with 4-5 ribs.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Orange
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    Tepals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1.5 to 2-inch terminal flowers hang downward and have stamens protruding from the back-swept petals in shades of pink, red, purple, yellow and white.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    No leaves. See stem information.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Segmented flattened green stems with scattered notches along the edges. Margins can be crenate to serrate. Stems tend to arch downward as they grow in length and flower. Bases can become woody with age. The stem is capable of photosynthesis.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants