Garden & Crafty - Garden, DIY, Home
  • GARDEN
    • Garden Tips
    • Garden Guide
    • Garden Care
    • Garden Ideas
  • DIY
    • Diy Project
    • Crafty Ideas
  • HOME
    • Decoration
    • Cleaning
    • Tips & Hacks
  • About Us
  • GARDEN
    • Garden Tips
    • Garden Guide
    • Garden Care
    • Garden Ideas
  • DIY
    • Diy Project
    • Crafty Ideas
  • HOME
    • Decoration
    • Cleaning
    • Tips & Hacks
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
Garden & Crafty - Garden, DIY, Home
Home GARDEN Garden Ideas

3 Christmas Cactus Types and Their Exotic Colors to Transform Your Home

Lois Capone by Lois Capone
August 1, 2025
in Garden Ideas
Reading Time: 5 mins read

IN THIS ARTICLE:

Toggle
  • Three Types of Holiday Cactus You Should Know
  • Christmas Cactus Flower Colors

When the cold months roll in and gardens go quiet, the Christmas cactus begins its show. These charming holiday plants defy the winter gloom by bursting into vibrant bloom.

What makes them even more magical is the sheer range of colors they come in from classic reds to glowing oranges, bright pinks, even yellow and purple.

Despite being called cactus, these beauties are tropical epiphytes from Brazil. That means they grow not in dry deserts, but clinging to trees in humid forests.

They prefer cool temps, indirect light, and regular watering, not quite what you’d expect from a cactus.

Three Types of Holiday Cactus You Should Know

1. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)

3 Christmas Cactus Types and Their Exotic Colors to Transform Your Home

This is the true Christmas cactus, often passed down through generations like a family heirloom. It typically blooms from late November through January.

The stems are soft-edged and smooth, and the flowers tend to hang downward with a graceful arch.

You’ll find blooms in classic holiday shades, mostly reds and whites, but there are also occasional yellows and pale pinks.

What makes them stand out is their symmetrical flower form and the way their blossoms seem to drape like ornaments. They’re especially stunning in hanging baskets or on elevated plant stands.

2. Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)

3 Christmas Cactus Types and Their Exotic Colors to Transform Your Home

Often mistaken for the Christmas cactus, the Thanksgiving cactus blooms a bit earlier, usually from mid-November through December.

The leaf segments (called phylloclades) have distinct, claw-like hooks or pointed teeth along the edges, earning it the nickname “crab cactus” or “lobster cactus.”

Its flowers are more outward-facing and slightly asymmetrical, with blooms often sprouting from the sides of the stems rather than the tips.

This type is one of the easiest to find in garden centers, and its color range is impressive, featuring yellow, white, deep pink, red, and peachy-orange tones.

Specially, hummingbirds are especially drawn to its tubular, satiny flowers.

3. Easter Cactus (Hatiora gaertneri)

3 Christmas Cactus Types and Their Exotic Colors to Transform Your Home

This type is the most challenging of the trio, yet it rewards patient growers with the most brilliant blooms.

The Easter cactus usually flowers in April and May, though it may surprise you with a bonus flush in the fall. The petals are shaped like flaring trumpets and come in shades of red, magenta, pink, and rich purple.

Unlike its holiday cousins, the Easter cactus has bristle-tipped leaf segments and needs careful watering.

It dislikes being either too dry or too wet and may drop its segments if stressed. Using a soil moisture meter can make all the difference in coaxing out its incredible flowers.

See also: 10 Common Mistakes People Think Are Correct When Caring for Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus Flower Colors

Red Blooms

3 Christmas Cactus Types and Their Exotic Colors to Transform Your Home

Red is the original and most iconic color associated with Christmas cactus. Classic varieties often feature deep, velvety crimson or bright scarlet petals, sometimes tipped with a faint pink or white edge.

These blooms pair beautifully with holiday reds and greens, making them a timeless favorite for seasonal decor.

If your plant has symmetrical, bell-shaped red blooms that arch downward, it’s likely a true Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii).

These plants look stunning in hanging baskets where the flowers can naturally droop and drape. For best bloom quality, keep the plant in a cool, bright room with short nights in late fall.

Red cultivars such as ‘Dark Marie’ or ‘Thor Carmen’ are easy to find and reliably bloom year after year.

Pink and Fuchsia Blooms

3 Christmas Cactus Types and Their Exotic Colors to Transform Your Home

Pink is a playful and popular option, with shades that range from soft pastel blush to intense hot pink.

Some blooms lean into a vivid fuchsia or magenta. These colors are especially charming when placed near windows where natural light can make their hues appear almost electric.

Pink varieties are commonly found in Thanksgiving cacti and are prolific bloomers. You might notice the flowers point outward and the leaf segments have noticeable teeth or claws.

These pink bloomers like to be kept slightly pot-bound and often reward consistent care with massive flushes of color.

White and Cream Blooms

3 Christmas Cactus Types and Their Exotic Colors to Transform Your Home

White Christmas cactus flowers are the epitome of understated beauty. Their soft, translucent petals often have a pearly sheen and may be tinged with pale green, cream, or buttery yellow near the throat.

White-blooming varieties are slightly more delicate and can benefit from stable temperatures and indirect light during the blooming period.

If you want to highlight their purity and contrast, pair them with metallic pots, deep green foliage, or even soft candlelight on a windowsill.

While harder to find than pink or red, white blooms are worth seeking out if your aesthetic leans toward minimalism or wintry elegance.

Orange and Apricot Blooms

3 Christmas Cactus Types and Their Exotic Colors to Transform Your Home

Orange Christmas cactus varieties are warm, energetic, and wonderfully unexpected. These tones may range from soft peach and coral to rich tangerine or coppery amber.

Varieties like Tango or Peach Parfait offer a citrusy punch that complements rustic, boho, or tropical-themed interiors.

They tend to bloom on Thanksgiving cactus hybrids and may appear earlier in the season than traditional reds or whites. Place them in a sunlit room with some morning light to really bring out their brilliance.

If you’re someone who gravitates toward sunset shades or fall-inspired decor, orange-blooming cacti are an energizing choice.

Purple and Lavender Blooms

3 Christmas Cactus Types and Their Exotic Colors to Transform Your Home

Purple may not be the first color you think of when it comes to winter flowers, but once you see a lavender or violet bloom glowing against green stems, you’ll never forget it.

These colors add a regal and mysterious tone to your home. In cooler rooms, their shades often deepen, turning soft lavender into bold plum or deep grape.

Cultivars like Thor Viole’ or lesser-known hybrids produce trumpet-shaped blooms that open slightly more horizontally.

Purple blooms are often favored by collectors or those who enjoy the unusual. They may not bloom as heavily as pinks or reds unless given ideal light and nighttime cooling.

Yellow Blooms

3 Christmas Cactus Types and Their Exotic Colors to Transform Your Home

Yellow is the rarest and perhaps the most surprising bloom color for a holiday cactus. These plants typically produce soft lemon, creamy gold, or buttery ivory blooms that seem to glow from within.

As the flowers mature, their yellow tones may warm slightly into peach or light apricot depending on the variety and lighting.

Look for cultivars like Gold Charm or pale yellow hybrids. Because they’re uncommon, they make lovely gifts or statement pieces.

To help yellow blooms retain their brightness, you can place the plant near a bright window but avoid direct afternoon sun.

Tips for Picking the Right Christmas Cactus Color and Type

Choosing a holiday cactus isn’t just about what’s blooming now, it’s also about understanding when and how it will bloom next.

If you’re buying in November or December, you’re most likely looking at a Thanksgiving cactus, even if it’s labeled as a Christmas cactus.

Next, think about your decor colors. Red and white are classic, but pink, orange, or purple might better suit a modern or minimalist home.

If you’re gifting one, a blooming plant in an unexpected color like apricot or lavender, feels both festive and memorable.

If you want a challenge, the Easter cactus offers vibrant rewards but needs more attention. For beginners, Thanksgiving and Christmas types are more forgiving and tend to bloom more reliably with less fuss.

Read more: Guide on Growing Christmas Cactus Successfully In a Pot

3 Christmas Cactus Types and Their Exotic Colors to Transform Your Home

Tags: Christmaschristmas cactuschristmas cactus colorschristmas cactus typeschristmas cactus varietiesEaster Cactus
SharePin
Lois Capone

Lois Capone

Lois Capone is a wife and mom in her 50s who enjoys sharing gardening, DIY tips, and home decor ideas. She believes that with some inspiration, anyone can create a special feel in their home and garden.

Related Posts

22 Elegant Sand Dollar DIYs to Infuse Your Space With Seaside Vibes
Garden Ideas

10 Perennial Plants for Chickens So You Can Feed Them for Free, Forever

If you’ve got backyard chickens, you know how fast those hungry beaks can go through a pile of greens. Instead...

by Lois Capone
August 1, 2025
24 Creepy-Cool Halloween Planter Ideas to Haunt Your Home in Style
Garden Ideas

24 Creepy-Cool Halloween Planter Ideas to Haunt Your Home in Style

Ever looked at your houseplants and thought, “You’d make a great Halloween prop”? You're not alone. Even plants can get...

by Lois Capone
July 30, 2025
10 Beautiful Plants That Attract Fireflies to Your Garden
Garden Ideas

10 Beautiful Plants That Attract Fireflies to Your Garden

Fireflies, once a dazzling hallmark of summer nights, are quietly disappearing. Over the past few decades, their numbers have declined...

by Lois Capone
July 28, 2025
10 Plants Frogs Love And Tips for a Frog-Friendly Garden
Garden Ideas

10 Plants Frogs Love And Tips for a Frog-Friendly Garden

If you’re trying to make your garden more wildlife-friendly, don’t forget about the frogs. These quiet little creatures are not...

by Lois Capone
July 27, 2025
15 Plants That Naturally Repel Spiders
Garden Ideas

15 Plants That Naturally Repel Spiders

If you're not a fan of finding creepy crawlies hiding in corners, you’re not alone. Spiders might be helpful in...

by Lois Capone
July 28, 2025
17 Spooky Shrub Decorations That Will Haunt Your Garden This Halloween
Garden Ideas

17 Spooky Shrub Decorations That Will Haunt Your Garden This Halloween

Last Halloween, I took a late-night walk through my neighborhood, and one yard stopped me cold. Hidden behind the hedges,...

by Lois Capone
July 25, 2025
Load More

Categories

  • Cleaning (6)
  • Crafty Ideas (114)
  • Decoration (133)
  • DIY (8)
  • Diy Project (144)
  • GARDEN (39)
  • Garden Care (51)
  • Garden Guide (114)
  • Garden Ideas (320)
  • Garden Tips (88)
  • HOME (90)
  • Tips & Hacks (20)

Garden & Crafty - Garden, DIY, Home

© 2024 gardenandcrafty.com

Navigate Site

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Service
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Webstories
  • Sitemap

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • GARDEN
    • Garden Tips
    • Garden Guide
    • Garden Care
    • Garden Ideas
  • DIY
    • Diy Project
    • Crafty Ideas
  • HOME
    • Decoration
    • Cleaning
    • Tips & Hacks
  • About Us