Schlumbergera truncata

Schlumbergera truncata, Christmas Cactus is an epiphytic cactus from the coastal mountains of southeast Brazil where is grows in trees and on rock surfaces. A well-known cactus that has been in cultivation as a houseplant for over a hundred years, it has flattened leaf-like cladodes and eventually (after any years) forms a short woody stem. Although the cladodes are frost-tender these woody segments are extremely tough and will survive sub-zero temperature. However, although making a great summer epiphyte in a semi-shady location, it is not a plant that should be left outdoors through winter and needs to be brought inside in late summer before it goes into its flowering cycle. Schlumbergera truncata responds to shortening daylight hours in the autumn to reliably produce its stunning pink flowers with distinctively long stamens. It has been called Christmas Cactus as it approximates its flowering time but the American common name of Thanksgiving Cactus is more accurate as the buds usually start appearing in November and open in the second to third week of November.

As it grows, the foliage forms an arching habit and makes Schlumbergera truncata ideal either in a terracotta pot or in a hanging container.