Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus Similarities

Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus are closely related, so it's easy to mistake them for the same plant. Both grow wild in the mountains of southeastern Brazil, meaning they prefer cooler, shadier conditions unlike desert cacti. This makes them excellent, easy-care houseplants, though they do require more regular watering than desert varieties.

Both of these holiday cacti feature flattened, spineless, segmented green stems (technically, they don't have leaves). They also produce similar-looking flowers that bloom in shades of pink, red, yellow, or white.

The Differences Between Thanksgiving Cactus and Christmas Cactus

1. Stem Segments

• Thanksgiving Cactus: Identified by the pointy, soft "teeth" on the sides of each stem segment.
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• Christmas Cactus: Lacks pointed teeth, featuring edges that are much more scalloped or rounded.
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2. Flowers

Look closely at the clusters of long, thin anthers protruding from the blossoms to check the pollen color.

• Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata): Features yellow pollen. (Historically called the "crab claw cactus" or zygocactus).
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• Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi): Features pink pollen.
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3. Growth Habit

• Thanksgiving Cactus: Tends to have a more upright growth habit.
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• Christmas Cactus: Stems tend to point downward, giving it a more drooping or weeping appearance.
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4. Bloom Time

• Thanksgiving Cactus: Typically blooms earlier in November.
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• Christmas Cactus: Likely to bloom in late November or early December.
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Thanksgiving-Christmas Cactus Hybrids

In recent years, new varieties have been produced that blur the lines between the two species. If you purchase a young plant from a garden center today, it is likely a hybrid of Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti (and possibly other related species). However, if you have a cutting from an older, heirloom plant, it might be a true, unmixed Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus.

Note: Another look-alike, the Easter cactus, typically blooms in the spring.

How to Propagate from Cuttings

Whether you have a Thanksgiving cactus, a Christmas cactus, or a blended hybrid, these long-lived plants are easy to grow and can be passed down through generations. To share with friends, simply take a small stem cutting and root it in a bit of damp potting soil.