What is the Difference Between Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus?

The main difference between Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti lies in the shape of their leaves. Here are the key distinguishing features:

• Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata): This cactus has sharp, pointy edges on its flattened leaf-like stems, which are known as phylloclades.
• Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii): In contrast, the Christmas cactus has smooth, round edges on its phylloclades.

Both cacti are part of the Schlumbergera family and are known as short-day plants, meaning they require approximately 6 weeks of short days to bloom. They have bright pink, tubular-shaped flowers, but the Thanksgiving cactus flower is flattened where it emerges from the stem, while the Christmas cactus flower is rounder as it comes out of the stem.

The blooming period for Thanksgiving cacti typically occurs between November and December, while Christmas cacti bloom from January to February. However, these plants can be forced to bloom at any time, so houseplants may not always follow this pattern.

Comparative Table: Christmas Cactus vs Thanksgiving Cactus

The main differences between Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus are their blooming time and the shape of their stem segments. Here's a comparison table highlighting these differences:

Both Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti require well-drained soil, with a mix of peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and soil being ideal for them. They prefer bright light but not direct sun, and they should be watered when the soil is dry. They also prefer night temperatures around 65 degrees.