One of the three types of holiday cactus. The Easter cactus blooms during March and April.
Plant Type
All Plants, Cactus
Hardiness Zone
tropical
Sunlight
The best light is bright and indirect. Likes to grow outside in the shade of a tree during the summer.
Moisture
October though January is the resting period and should be kept slightly moist. During the preflowering period February through March increase the water. Tolerates average house humidity but prefers it a lttle higher.
Soil & Site
In its native growing range the plant is found clinging to the branches of trees. Growing in the decayed leaf, bark and twigs litter found in the crotches of the branches.
Growing Media
Likes to be grown in a well drained, cactus succulent type of growing media that is amended with some organic matter.
Temperature
Prefers to be kept above 60 degrees.
Flowers
The flowers are formed during periods of long nights, short days (photoperiodism). The flowers are produced on last year’s growth.
Leaves
Small spines located in the areoles found on the edges of the flat stems.
Stems
The stems are flat and segmented with bristles and the edges lack the indentations of the other Holiday Cactus.
Propagation
Each segement of the stem can be rooted.
Native Site
Native to the filtered light of the tropical forests in South America.
Misc Facts
These are true cactus that have evolved to a life in the trees.