Colorful Christmas Cactus for the Holidays
by Laurelynn Martin and Byron Martin
Christmas Cactus are some of the most loved indoor plants in the winter time. They bring beauty and color to the windowsill in the darkest days of year. It has become a tradition in many families to hand down these beauties from generation to generation. Easily grown in the home environment, we are sure you will get years of enjoyment from these beautiful plants.
We have selected a couple of exclusive Christmas Cactus collections as well as some single hybrids. The collections grow in the same pot and delight the gardener with three unique colors. Christmas Cactus need to be grown in partial sun to shade and during the active growing season should be fed a balanced fertilizer every two weeks. Flowering is induced by cool night time temperatures and the plant should only be pruned after flowering is complete.
Winter Beauty Christmas Cactus Collection
Winter Beauty Christmas Cactus Collection (Schlumbergera hybrids)
Our newest signature collection is the Winter Beauty Christmas Cactus Collection. This spectacular trio adds warmth and color to any home holiday décor. ‘Thor Alice’ has large purple buds that open to deep orange; ‘Modesto’ blooms with vibrant, hot pink-purple flowers, and ‘Coral Red’ rounds out the collection with its lovely red flowers. Flowers emerge mostly in November and December.
Trio of Christmas Cactus
Trio of Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera hybrids)
The Trio of Christmas Cactus has a swirl of colors in tones of golden-yellow, pink and red and white. It includes ‘Christmas Flame,’ ‘Cristen’ and ‘Dark Marie.’ Each of these varieties are bi-colors with white inner petals. This Trio of Christmas Cactus blooms just in time for the holidays.
Red Aspen Christmas Cactus
Christmas Cactus ‘Red Aspen’ (Schlumbergera hybrid)
Some gardeners prefer single Christmas Cactus such as ‘Red Aspen.’ This rare hybrid is highly sought-after for its frilly, reddish-purple blooms. Its resilience and adaptability to the home environment makes ‘Red Aspen’ a great gift for the new gardener.
Christmas Cactus ‘Cristen’
Christmas Cactus ‘Cristen’ (Schlumbergera hybrid)
Another favorite of ours is Christmas Cactus ‘Cristen,’ a prolific bloomer that puts on a show of non-stop pink flowers with white inner petals. We especially love ‘Cristen’ for its well-branched habit and compact nature.
Christmas Cactus ‘Limelight Dancer’
Christmas Cactus ‘Limelight Dancer’ (Schlumbergera hybrid)
Finally, Christmas Cactus ‘Limelight Dancer’ has pale yellow petals with white centers and reddish-purple pistils that illuminate the flowers and add to their charm. ‘Limelight Dancer’ is a vigorous grower that usually blooms in late fall or early winter.
Christmas Cactus are easy-to-grow succulents that have an indestructible nature, are adaptable to the home environment, and add tons of color to the indoor winter garden. You can learn more about our most popular Christmas Cactus plants below. While you’re here, please be sure to explore our selection of fruiting, rare and tropical plants. And don’t forget to request your free Logee’s catalog, too!