Plant guides / Christmas cactus
Easter cactus guide
Schlumbergera gaertneri, also called Hatiora gaertneri, Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri, spring cactus
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Let it dry more in winter.
- Humidity
- Average room air is fine
- Temperature
- 15 to 24°C (60 to 75°F). Cool fall nights set the buds.
- Soil
- Chunky, fast-draining mix: cactus soil with orchid bark or perlite
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) wide, with arching stems
- Propagation
- Twist off a piece two or three segments long and root it in soil
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes Easter cactus different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the Christmas cactus care guide.
What it is
Easter cactus is a jungle cactus that blooms in spring, around Easter. Its stem segments are smaller, thicker, and more rounded than a Christmas cactus, often with a red edge and tiny bristles at the tips. The flowers are star-shaped and open flat, in red, pink, orange, white, or lavender. It is sold under several names as botanists keep moving it between groups.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Segments | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Easter cactus | Small, rounded, bristles at tips | Flat, star-shaped flowers in spring |
| Thanksgiving cactus | Sharp, pointed teeth | Tube-shaped flowers in November |
| Christmas cactus | Rounded, scalloped edges | Tube-shaped flowers in December |
Care differences
Easter cactus needs a longer, cooler rest than the holiday cacti. From about November to February, keep it at 10 to 15°C (50 to 60°F) and water less. That cool rest sets the spring buds.
It rots faster than a Christmas cactus. Let the soil dry a bit more between waterings, most of all in winter.
Grow it from a cutting
Twist off a piece two or three segments long. Let it dry for a day, then push it into moist mix. Roots form in two to four weeks.
Buying it
Easter cactus is sold in spring at garden centers and grocery stores. Buy plants with buds, not full bloom. Keep it cool at home so the buds do not drop.