With regards to residing Christmas decorations, it’s arduous to prime the Christmas cactus. This perennial favourite is thought and beloved for its tropical blooms that present up across the holidays yearly. It’s no marvel, then, that almost everybody has one. Who wouldn’t? They’re stunning and straightforward to develop.
(The larger query is whether or not you’ve gotten a real Christmas cactus or a Thanksgiving cactus. Click on right here to seek out out.)
However why cease with the common-or-garden Schlumbergera buckleyi? Whether or not you’ve mastered the artwork of getting your Christmas cactus to bloom and now you’re on the lookout for the following problem otherwise you’re trying to develop one thing rather less widespread, we’ve received some attractive options to everybody’s favourite vacation cactus.
Should you’d prefer to strive rising one other epiphyte, listed here are a pair to think about.
1. Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera)
Other than its very holiday-centric identify, the mistletoe cactus stands out with its ethereal, cascading stems that create a comfortable, flowing texture. They appear superb in hanging baskets or positioned up on excessive cabinets. Native to tropical rainforests, this epiphytic cactus is exclusive for its love of shade and moisture, a departure from its desert-dwelling cousins.
What’s extra, the slender, trailing branches produce tiny white flowers in spring, adopted by translucent, berry-like fruits that resemble mistletoe. Look after the mistletoe cactus entails replicating its pure setting: brilliant, oblique gentle, constantly moist (however not waterlogged) soil, and a well-draining potting combine wealthy in natural matter. With its unique look, you’d count on the mistletoe cactus to be fussy to keep up, however very like a Christmas cactus, it’s comparatively low-maintenance.
2. Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum spp.)
The orchid cactus is famed for its jaw-dropping blooms that rival the grandeur of orchids, therefore its identify. These nocturnal blossoms, which emerge from their flattened, arching stems, are available in a spectrum of colours, together with vivid pinks, reds, and whites, usually filling the night time air with a candy perfume. In addition they get pleasure from a popularity for being troublesome to get to bloom. However if you happen to’ve mastered the blooming secrets and techniques of a Christmas cactus, then you should not have any drawback coaxing flowers from an orchid cactus.
Native to Central and South American rainforests, this epiphytic plant thrives in brilliant, oblique gentle and a chunky, well-draining potting combine. It appreciates common watering throughout its lively rising season however prefers barely drier situations in winter. With its dramatic flowers and stylish progress behavior, the orchid cactus makes a shocking addition to any plant assortment.
3. Easter Cactus (Hatiora gaertneri)
Okay, this one does really feel a bit like dishonest, because it’s just like a Christmas cactus. Nevertheless, the Easter cactus has flowers which might be very otherwise formed than its Christmas cousin. The just about daisy-like flowers bloom in shades of pink, crimson, and coral round Easter. Its segmented cladodes type a tidy, rounded form, making it a sexy houseplant even when it’s not blooming.
Native to Brazilian rainforests, this plant prefers similar situations to the Christmas cactus – brilliant, oblique gentle, reasonable watering, and permitting the soil to dry barely between waterings. Cooler night time temperatures and shorter daylight encourage its flowering. With its seasonal attraction and straightforward care, the Easter cactus brings a festive burst of coloration to springtime décor.
In fact, you’re not restricted to cacti if you happen to’re on the lookout for fascinating crops that supply a splash of coloration within the wintertime.
4. Christmas Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)
The Christmas cherry, also called Jerusalem cherry, is a compact decorative plant prized for its vibrant crimson or orange berries that resemble miniature vacation ornaments. Its shiny inexperienced leaves and festive fruiting behavior make it a preferred alternative for winter décor. With a reputation just like the Christmas cherry, who wouldn’t wish to add one to their assortment?
Native to South America, this plant thrives in brilliant, oblique gentle and well-drained soil. It requires reasonable watering and occasional pruning to keep up its bushy form. Whereas the berries are visually placing, they’re poisonous and ought to be stored out of attain of kids and pets. With its festive identify and look, the Christmas cherry is an eye catching addition to any houseplant assortment.
5. Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)
The desert rose is a placing succulent, capturing each the power and breathtaking great thing about the desert panorama in plant type. It boasts an nearly sculpted-looking trunk known as the caudex and produces delicate trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, crimson, and white.
Native to arid areas of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, this plant is as hardy as it’s stunning, thriving in brilliant daylight and well-draining, sandy soil. It requires minimal watering, particularly throughout its dormant winter part. Through the rising season, its blooms create a dramatic distinction in opposition to its shiny inexperienced leaves and distinctive trunk. With its showy flowers, the desert rose makes a charming centerpiece for sunny windowsills that want a pop of coloration.
6. Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Kalanchoe is one other fashionable plant that exhibits up across the holidays. With its compact clusters of tiny, vibrant flowers that bloom for weeks, it’s the proper plant to assist thrust back cabin fever in shades of crimson, orange, yellow, and pink. Its thick, succulent leaves retailer water, making it an excellent alternative for busy or novice houseplant dad and mom.
Native to Madagascar, kalanchoe thrives in brilliant, oblique gentle and well-draining soil, requiring watering solely when the soil is dry. With its long-lasting blooms and minimal care wants, kalanchoe is a good various to Christmas cactus. Discover ways to take care of it right here.
7. Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)
Cyclamen appears like one thing out of a fairytale with its delicate, butterfly-like flowers that rise above heart-shaped, variegated leaves. Blooming in shades of pink, crimson, white, and purple, this plant appears as if it could be extra at residence popping up within the spring. But, cyclamen are one other fashionable winter-blooming plant.
Native to the Mediterranean, cyclamen prefers cool temperatures, brilliant, oblique gentle, and well-draining soil. It’s delicate to overwatering and thrives when watered from under to keep away from rotting its tuber. Cyclamen’s skill to bloom in winter makes it the proper alternative for including a pop of coloration to indoor areas through the colder months. Should you observe Mickey’s recommendation, she’s going to present you find out how to get your cyclamen to rebloom many times.
8. Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
Wintergreen is a low-growing, evergreen shrub. It’s well-known amongst foragers for its flavorful foliage and cheerful crimson berries that persist all through the winter. I’ve snacked on many a wintergreen berry whereas trudging via the snow as a toddler.
Native to North American woodlands, its shiny leaves launch a minty perfume when crushed, and its berries are a favourite of wildlife. Wintergreen thrives in partial shade, acidic soil, and funky, moist situations, which may simply be mimicked indoors, making it an awesome little vacation houseplant. This hardy plant’s festive look and flexibility make it an enthralling addition to your indoor vacation panorama.
And at last, if instantaneous gratification is extra your fashion, strive forcing Amaryllis or Paperwhite bulbs.
9. Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.)
Amaryllis is a showstopper. It’s unimaginable to stroll right into a room and never discover their massive, trumpet-shaped flowers in daring hues of Christmassy crimson, white, or peppermint stripes. And people are solely the colours you’ll be able to generally discover in most shops. Should you order amaryllis bulbs from a web based nursery, you’ll be able to get pleasure from deep, velvety purples, creamy peach and surprising orange.
Rising from a bulb, amaryllis is simple to take care of: plant it in well-draining soil, water sparingly till progress begins, and supply brilliant, oblique gentle. With correct care, it rewards gardeners with weeks of spectacular blooms. Save your bulb to rebloom yearly and begin a cherished vacation custom.
10. Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus)
Paperwhites are a pleasure to develop within the winter, producing aromatic clusters of creamy white, star-shaped flowers atop slender inexperienced stems. These members of the daffodil household present up in every single place simply earlier than Thanksgiving, prepared for indoor forcing through the winter months.
Paperwhites develop simply in pebbles and water or soil, however they want brilliant, oblique gentle and funky temperatures to thrive. To learn the way straightforward it’s to drive paperwhites to bloom for the vacations, click on right here.
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Together with Sunday musings from our editor, Tracey, in addition to “What’s Up Wednesday” our roundup of what’s in season and new article updates and alerts.
