Holiday cactus
It’s known as the Christmas cactus because it originally bloomed around Christmas.
Holiday cactus is native to the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil. In the wild, they are found in humid and shady places where they grow as epiphytes on rocks and trees.
The holiday cactus has been cultivated in Europe since the start of the 1800s, and over time, varieties with many different flower colours have been developed.
In the beginning, the holiday cactus was only sold under the name Christmas cactus. Since then, however, it has become possible to control the onset of flowering, so that they can be sold over a longer period.
Plants that flower in November are sold as November cacti, whilst plants that flower in December are marketed as Christmas cacti.
Facts:
- Greenhouse location: Tropical house
- Danish name: Helligdagskaktusi
- Latin name: Schlumbergera
- Family: The cactus family / Cactaceae
- Natural habitat: Southeast Brazil
Learn more about other plants here.