Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is a beloved tropical cactus, widely sought after during the holiday season for its stunning and abundant blooms. True to its name, the Thanksgiving cactus typically flowers around Thanksgiving, adding a burst of vibrant color to your home just as the weather outside turns colder.
Unlike typical desert cacti, the Thanksgiving Cactus is a tropical plant with flat, segmented leaves and beautiful flowers that range in color from pink to red, purple, and even yellow. It’s a fantastic addition to any home, bringing warmth and brightness to the chilly months.
Buy Thanksgiving Cactus online offers convenience and an extensive selection. From different sizes to rare color variations, online shopping allows you to find exactly what you need without the hassle of visiting multiple stores.
Why Buy a Thanksgiving Cactus Online
One of the biggest advantages of purchasing a Thanksgiving cactus online is the ability to read reviews of buying Thanksgiving cactus online from other buyers. These insights can help you assess the quality of the plant and the dependability of the seller.
Shopping online also gives you access to a wider variety of Thanksgiving cactus options, including unique colors and hybrids that may not be available at local stores. You can easily find a plant in the size and color that best suits your style and space.
With online shopping, comparing prices from multiple sellers is simple, allowing you to secure the best value.
However, finding where to buy Thanksgiving cactus online and identifying a genuine Thanksgiving cactus can be a bit challenging, especially around the holidays. With its vibrant blooms and seasonal charm, this cactus is a sought-after choice for many homes. The challenge lies in distinguishing it from similar varieties, like the Christmas cactus or Easter cactus.
Distinguish Thanksgiving cacti from other holiday cacti
When shopping for Thanksgiving cactus online, it’s helpful to know how to tell it apart from other holiday cacti like the Christmas and Easter cacti. Although similar in appearance, each has distinct features in their leaf shape and blooming season that set them apart.
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Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata): Known for its unique, claw-like projections on the leaf segments, this cactus is often mistakenly sold as a Christmas cactus, especially in places where it blooms earlier, typically between November and January. The Thanksgiving cactus adds a lovely touch to the holiday season with a range of vibrant flower colors and a longer blooming period.
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Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii): This true Christmas cactus has smoother, more rounded notches on its leaf segments, unlike the sharper edges of the Thanksgiving cactus. It blooms later in December, aligning more closely with the Christmas holiday.
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Easter Cactus (Hatiora gaertneri): Easily distinguished by its rounded leaf segments and unique, star-shaped flowers, the Easter cactus blooms in spring, usually around April or May.
Where to Buy Thanksgiving Cactus Online: Key Factors for Finding a Trustworthy Seller
Shopping online for a Thanksgiving cactus? Finding a reputable seller is essential to receive a vibrant, healthy plant. Here’s how to pick a reliable online source for your holiday cactus needs:
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Prioritize Customer Reviews
A seller with strong customer feedback is often a safer choice. Look for reviews highlighting healthy plant arrivals and attentive customer service, as these reflect a commitment to plant quality and customer satisfaction. -
Seek Detailed Product Information
Trustworthy sellers provide clear photos and thorough descriptions of the plants they offer, ensuring you know exactly what you’re getting. At Garden Plant Nursery, we aim to show our plants as accurately as possible, so our customers can shop confidently. -
Responsive Customer Support
Reliable sellers offer dedicated customer support to answer questions about plant care, shipping, or other concerns. At Garden Plant Nursery, we’re here to assist you from the purchase to post-care guidance, making the experience seamless for you. -
Inspect Shipping and Packaging Practices
Well-packaged plants are crucial for safe delivery. Check for sellers who mention their packaging methods, ensuring your plant arrives undamaged. We prioritize secure packaging to maintain plant quality during transit.
Using these criteria will help you choose an online nursery you can trust. For a smooth, high-quality experience, Garden Plant Nursery offers top-notch Thanksgiving Cacti with the added benefit of expert support.
Quick Tip: Thanksgiving cactus segments are edged with tiny “teeth,” while Christmas cactus segments are rounded and smooth.
Thanksgiving Cactus Care
Light: Thanksgiving cacti love bright, indirect light. A few hours of gentle morning sunlight will suit them well, but keep them out of the direct afternoon sun, which can burn their leaves. Place them near a window with filtered light to keep them healthy and vibrant.
Water: For best results, let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. During the growing season, keep the soil slightly moist by watering more frequently, but reduce watering once the plant enters its dormant phase. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so keep an eye on soil moisture.
Soil: Thanksgiving cacti thrive in a well-draining mix tailored for epiphytic cacti. A combination of potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand will do the trick. Alternatively, a specialized cactus mix enriched with organic matter and mycorrhizal fungi supports strong root development and overall plant health.
Fertilizer: Fertilize in spring with a balanced 5-10-5 NPK fertilizer to boost growth. Avoid fertilizing during dormancy, as this is the plant’s natural resting phase.
Temperature: Thanksgiving cacti are happiest in temperatures between 60°F and 70°F, making them suitable for USDA zones 10–12. If you’re in a colder area, consider growing them indoors with added humidity or in containers that can be moved indoors when temperatures drop.
How to Make Thanksgiving Cactus to Bloom
To encourage blooming, expose your cactus to cool temperatures (about 50-55°F) and reduced daylight. About 6-8 weeks before desired flowering, keep the cactus in a room with limited light for 12-14 hours a day, or cover it with a dark cloth. This process mimics shorter daylight hours, helping to trigger blooms.
Following these tips will set you on the path to a thriving Thanksgiving cactus with showy seasonal blooms. Patience is key, but the brilliant blossoms make the wait worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buying Thanksgiving Cactus Online
1. Is Thanksgiving Cactus Easy to Care For?
Thanksgiving cactus is relatively easy to care for, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts. The plant thrives in indirect light, needs a well-ventilated space, and requires consistent humidity. It is especially well-suited for indoor environments and doesn’t need frequent watering.
2. How Long Will Thanksgiving Cactus Bloom After Purchase?
Thanksgiving cactus typically blooms around the Thanksgiving holiday in the fall or early winter. If properly cared for, this cactus will bloom after a period of rest with the right light and temperature conditions. Depending on the environment and care provided, blooming can take a few weeks to a few months.
3. How Much Light Does a Thanksgiving Cactus Need?
Thanksgiving cactus needs indirect light, ideally near a window with soft light or under ambient lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn the leaves or cause them to lose their vibrant green color. To encourage seasonal blooming, make sure the plant receives enough light without placing it in overly hot or dry conditions.
4. Can Thanksgiving Cactus Be Grown Outdoors?
While it grows well indoors, it can be grown outdoors in warm, humid climates with minimal exposure to extreme temperatures. If you plan to keep it outdoors, choose a shaded spot and avoid areas that experience harsh cold in winter.
5. How Often Should I Water My Thanksgiving Cactus?
They should be watered when the soil surface feels slightly dry, usually about once or twice a week, depending on the humidity and temperature of your space. During winter, reduce the watering frequency as the plant enters its resting phase to encourage blooming.