Christmas cactus vs Thanksgiving cactus: how to tell them apart

Look at the edges of the flat green segments. Pointed teeth mean a Thanksgiving cactus. Rounded bumps mean a Christmas cactus. That one check works on any plant, in bloom or not.

Most plants sold in November as “Christmas cactus” are Thanksgiving cactus. If yours blooms before December, that is likely what you have. Both are easy, safe for pets, and need the same care.

The quick comparison

	Thanksgiving cactus	Christmas cactus
Botanical name	Schlumbergera truncata	Schlumbergera × buckleyi
Segment edges	Two to four pointed, claw-like teeth on each side	Rounded, scalloped bumps
Blooms	Late October to late November	December to January
Flower angle	Sticks out to the side	Hangs down
Pollen color	Yellow	Pink to purple-brown
In stores	Most of what is sold for the holidays	Less common

Check the segment edges

The “leaves” on both plants are flat stem segments linked end to end. Run a finger along the edge of one.

Thanksgiving cactus segments have sharp points along the sides and two pointed tips at the end, like a crab claw. Some people call it the crab cactus for this reason.

Christmas cactus segments have smooth, rounded bumps along the sides. The end of each segment is blunt.

This is the best test because it works all year. You do not need to wait for flowers.

Check the bloom time

A Thanksgiving cactus blooms about a month before a Christmas cactus. Buds start in October, and flowers open from late October through November.

The name follows American Thanksgiving in late November. In Canada, where Thanksgiving comes in October, the plant often blooms a few weeks after the holiday.

A Christmas cactus blooms from December into January.

Bloom time is a clue, not proof. A warm house, a lamp left on at night, or a cold porch can shift either plant by weeks.

Check the flowers

If your plant is in bloom, look at two things.

1. The angle. Thanksgiving cactus flowers stick out sideways, close to level with the stem. Christmas cactus flowers droop down from the stem tips.
2. The pollen. Look at the tips of the long threads in the center of the flower. Yellow pollen means Thanksgiving cactus. Pink, purple, or brown pollen means Christmas cactus.

Why stores sell more Thanksgiving cactus

Thanksgiving cactus blooms early enough to be in full color for holiday shopping. Growers ship millions of them labeled “Christmas cactus” or “holiday cactus.” The name on the tag often does not match the plant in the pot.

There is nothing wrong with that. It is a lovely plant. Now you know why it blooms at the “wrong” time.

What about the Easter cactus?

A third look-alike blooms in spring. The Easter cactus, Schlumbergera gaertneri, has rounded segments with soft bristles at the joints. Its flowers open flat, like stars, in March to May. It likes a little more sun and a bit less water than the other two.

Does the care differ?

No. Both grow the same way.

• Bright, indirect light, such as an east window.
• Water when the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry.
• A chunky, fast-draining mix of cactus soil and orchid bark.
• Long, cool nights in fall to set buds.

The only difference is timing. A Thanksgiving cactus sets buds earlier, so start its long, cool nights in early to mid September. Start a Christmas cactus in October.

Once buds form, do not move either plant. Moving it, drafts, and dry soil make buds drop.

Read the full Christmas cactus care guide for light, water, soil, pruning, and how to make it bloom every year.

What if mine has both traits?

Some plants are hybrids. Breeders cross the two to make new flower colors, and the Christmas cactus itself started as a cross. A hybrid can have mixed segment shapes and bloom in between. Go by the segment edges, and call it a holiday cactus if you cannot decide. The care is the same.

Are they safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA lists Christmas cactus as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Both plants are in the same genus. A pet that eats a lot of either one can still get an upset stomach.

That makes a holiday cactus one of the best plant gifts for a friend with pets. Poinsettia and amaryllis are not safe picks. Read the poinsettia care guide and the amaryllis care guide for more.

Quick answers

Can a Thanksgiving cactus bloom at Christmas? Sometimes. A late, cool fall can push its blooms into December.

Can either one bloom twice a year? Yes. Some plants bloom again in spring, after a second spell of cool nights.

My plant has no flowers yet. How do I tell? Check the segment edges. Pointed teeth mean Thanksgiving cactus.

Is a Christmas cactus a real cactus? Yes. Both are cacti, but they grow on trees in Brazilian forests, not in deserts.