Plant guides / Christmas cactus
Thanksgiving cactus guide
Schlumbergera truncata, also called crab cactus, holiday cactus, false Christmas cactus
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry
- 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 Thanksgiving cactus different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the Christmas cactus care guide.
What it is
Thanksgiving cactus is a jungle cactus with flat, jointed stem segments. Each segment has two to four pointed teeth along its edges, like a crab claw. It blooms in late fall, around American Thanksgiving, with flowers in pink, red, white, orange, or yellow. Most “Christmas cactus” sold in stores in November are this plant.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Segments | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving cactus | Sharp, pointed teeth on the edges | Claw-like points, blooms in November |
| Christmas cactus | Rounded, scalloped edges | Smooth bumps, blooms in December |
| Easter cactus | Rounded, with bristles at the tips | Star-shaped flowers in spring |
Read more in Christmas cactus vs Thanksgiving cactus: how to tell them apart.
Care differences
Care is almost the same as Christmas cactus. It needs cool nights and long, dark nights in fall to set buds. Start that about six weeks earlier than for a Christmas cactus, in late September.
The flowers face out to the side, not down. The pollen-bearing parts are yellow. On a Christmas cactus, they are purple-pink.
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
Thanksgiving cactus is sold everywhere in fall, often labeled as Christmas cactus. Check the segment edges. Buy plants with lots of buds that are not yet open. Buds drop when the plant moves into a warm house, so keep it cool for a week or two at home.