Schlumbergera truncata

RHS Plant Profile
Christmas cactus

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Christmas cactus RHS
Christmas cactus RHS

Other common names

Christmas cactus, common winter cactus, crab cactus, lobster cactus

Cactus Succulent Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse
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A cactus with upright stems that then become pendent-forming as a bushy, trailing plant with flattened and toothed, oblong stem segments. Flowers produced at the stem tips in autumn and winter are usually in shades of purple, pink or red

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Sand, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam
Moisture
Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cactaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Trailing
Genus
Schlumbergera are bushy epiphytic perennials with arching stems formed of flattened segments, and trumpet-shaped flowers
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained compost in bright light but avoid direct sunlight and maintain a minimum temperature of 10°C. See Schlumbergera cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by stem cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free