The waxy, colorful blooms of the Easter cactus appear in local garden centers and grocery stores in March and April, producing an abundance of red or pink, starlike flowers that can last well into May or longer. But once the flowers fade, Easter cacti don’t need to end up on the curb. Relatively low-maintenance succulents, they actually make one of the best houseplants.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri, synonyms Schlumbergera gaertneri and Hatiora gaertneri, is a species of epiphytic cactus which belongs to the tribe Rhipsalideae within the subfamily Cactoideae of the Cactaceae. Together with the hybrid with R. rosea, Rhipsalidopsis × graeseri, it is known, in English speaking countries in the Northern Hemisphere, as Easter cactus or Whitsun cactus and is a widely cultivated ornamental plant. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri is found in southeastern Brazil, in Paraná and Santa Catarina, at altitudes of 350–1,300 m (1,100–4,300 ft). R. gaertneri grows on trees (epiphytic) or less often rocks (lithophytic) in sub-tropical rain forest. With maturity, it develops into a branching pendant leafless shrub with a woody base. The stems are made up of segments, most of which are flattened and which are the photosynthetic organs (cladodes) of the plant. Younger segments are dullish green, 4–7 cm (1.6–2.8 in) long and 2–2.5 cm (0.8–1.0 in) wide, with small notches on the margins. Structures characteristic of cacti, called areolas, form in these notches. Flowers form from areolas at the ends of the stems. These are scarlet in colour, 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) long, radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), opening to a funnel shape with a maximum diameter of about 4–7.5 cm (1.6–3.0 in). Red oblong fruits form after the flowers are fertilized.
Under the name Easter cactus or Whitsun cactus, Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for its scarlet flowers. Its common names reflect the period in which it flowers in the Northern Hemisphere, namely late Spring. It has been artificially crossed with a pink-flowered species, Rhipsalidopsis rosea, to form the hybrid Rhipsalidopsis × graeseri, cultivars of which have flowers in a wider range of colours.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Like many houseplants, Easter cactus prefers bright, indirect light. Indoors, this usually comes from a north- or east-facing window. Outside, aim to keep Easter cacti in bright shade, such as a spot that gets some shade from a tree. Easter cacti leaves that are overexposed to light will develop a red, purple, or even pale green color.
In order to rebloom, however, Easter cacti require a period of light deprivation for 2 to 3 months, with a minimum of 13 hours of darkness per 24-hour period. For many homes, this is easily achieved by keeping the plant out of the light of a window or in a seldom-used room that remains dark at night.
Temperature and Humidity
Easter cacti are native to a tropical climate, so warm temperatures and plenty of humidity are keys to encouraging healthy growth. The average home is not humid enough for this plant, especially in the winter, so plant owners can increase humidity either by placing a humidifier in the area or by misting the plant regularly (every day to every other day). Another trick to increase the humidity is to set the pot on a shallow tray or saucer filled with pebbles, and then add water. The pebbles will keep the pot out of the water, helping to avoid oversaturation or overwatering of the Easter cactus.
Watering
An overwatered Easter cactus is an unhappy one, so consistent watering is critical to keep these plants healthy. Aim to water when the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil feel dry to the touch. Don’t let them dry out so much that the soil begins to pull away from the pot; this causes soil compaction and results in a potting mix that won’t drain quickly.
During their active growth and blooming stage, expect to water a 6-inch Easter cactus once every 3 days or so, but keep in mind this can vary greatly depending on the humidity, the size of the plant, and the size of the pot. Always be sure that the water drains completely and that the pot is not sitting in water.
Soil
As an epiphyte, Easter cacti do best in porous soil mixes that provide good airflow to their roots. A store-bought “cactus and succulent mix” would work well, especially when combined with perlite and orchid bark. The plant thrives in a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5.
Fertilizing
Like many succulents, Easter cacti should be fertilized sparingly, about once a month, with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer (15-15-15). Easter cactus fertilizer should be diluted, so don’t use the same ratio needed for regular houseplants. Stop fertilizing after the plant’s blooms have fallen, allowing it a period of rest. Take care not to apply liquid fertilizer to a dry plant; water it and allow it to drain first, then apply the fertilizer.
Pruning
Pruning an Easter cactus is optional, but it will help with reblooming for the following year. The one rule is to prune right after the plant flowers in the spring and while it’s still in its active growth phase. Don’t wait to prune an Easter cactus in the fall or winter.
To prune, focus on breaking off the top leaf pad from the stem at the joint. Use your fingers or sterilized garden scissors. If you create an uneven break, be sure to trim that off. Pruning will encourage the growth of new stems for a bushier plant with more blooms.
Propagation
You can grow Easter cactus from seeds or cuttings. It’s more popular and much easier to propagate Easter cactus with cuttings. Propagating is best done two to three months after the blooming period. To propagate by cuttings, follow these simple steps:
- Gently twist a leaf off at the leaf terminal; don’t break the base.
- Once separated, stick the bottom of the leaves back into a small cup or pot of soil, ensuring at least half of the leaf is in the dirt.
- Lightly mist the leaves.
- Place plastic bags over the cuttings to keep in the moisture.
- Wait to water the leaves until roots sprout in a few weeks, then repot.
- Water as you would with a mature Easter cactus.
How to Grow from Seed
Harvesting seeds can be challenging because you must pollinate the plant, harvest seeds, and keep your patience while waiting to see if the seeds thrive.
- Germinate seeds on a moistened paper towel. Lay the towel over a tray of moistened, enriched soil. Cover with plastic wrap. Give air for an hour each day.
- Place the tray in a warm spot with indirect light exposure.
- When given ideal conditions, the seeds will germinate within three weeks.
- Transplant the seedlings once they show signs of sprouting.
Potting and Repotting
Easter cacti enjoy being snug and pot-bound and only need to be repotted every two years to refresh the soil. If there is still room in the current pot, don’t increase the pot size; plant it back in the same container. However, if you need to size up a pot, choosing a pot 2 to 3 inches wider than the previous one is ideal. Clay pots are best to help with aeration and drainage. Repotting is best done in the spring after the blooming period.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Common indoor plant pests such as mealybugs, scale, spider mites, and fungus gnats can be problematic for Easter cacti. Root rot can also be an issue but is usually a result of overwatering or improper soil mixes being used.
Common Problems
The Easter cactus is a relatively easy-going plant, but sometimes, you’ll spot a problem. Usually, problems result from overwatering (check for root rot, cut away any affected roots with sterile scissors, and repot), underwatering (begin with small sips of water if it’s been neglected), or it gets too much light (move the plant).
Dropping Leaves
Your cactus may look like it’s falling apart if the pads fall off. The cause may be that the plant is stressed from overwatering or underwatering. You can always root the pads that fall off in potting soil for new plants.
Wilting
A wilting Easter cactus can mean it’s stressed from being overwatered, underwatered, or getting too much direct sunlight.
Leaves Turning Yellow
Your cactus may need to be repotted. When the leaves turn yellow, the plant may be in soil that cannot properly drain. Check for root rot and repot.
How to Get to Bloom
Like the Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus, it helps to know how to get the Easter cactus to bloom each spring. The plant must go through a period of light and temperature change to bloom again. Like its holiday cactus cousins, the plant needs at least 8 weeks of nighttime light deprivation, and Easter cactus might bloom better with up to 12 weeks (or 3 months) of short days. This is easier to achieve than it sounds.
To coax out blooms around Easter, count back 12 weeks from the date you want to see the flower buds, between December and January, and begin to shift the plant’s light exposure. During this period of light deprivation, do not fertilize the plants and be careful not to overwater.
To adjust light and temperature:
- Keep the Easter cactus in an area (outside) with overnight temperatures between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In all but the most moderate climates, this will be difficult in late winter, when temperatures can plummet.
- Inside, the average home temperature should fall between 55 and 70 degrees. Deprive the plant of light for 14 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period under these conditions. This can be achieved by placing it in a closet, seldom-used room, or other low-light area of the home.
- If an Easter cactus is kept in temperatures at or higher than 70 degrees, deprive it of even more light. Ideally, allow it 15 hours of constant darkness.
Once the plant begins to set buds, choose an area in the home with consistently bright, indirect light. Keep the Easter cactus blooming by avoiding moving the plant once the buds have formed, since this can cause the hard-earned blooms to drop.
III. What’s the difference between Christmas and Easter cactus?
Since the three holiday cactuses were named after the holiday around which they bloom, this is the easiest way to tell them apart. The Thanksgiving cactus blooms in the late fall through midwinter, while the Christmas cactus blooms from early winter to midwinter. Meanwhile, the Easter cactus blooms from late winter to early spring. The Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus both need about six weeks of short days (a required 12 hours or more of darkness) to bloom, and the Easter cactus needs eight to 12 weeks.
Another way to tell the holiday cactuses apart is to look at the flattened stems, which are essentially the “leaves” of these plants. Christmas cactus stems are more tear-dropped in shape with purplish-brown pollen-bearing anthers on the flowers. The Thanksgiving cactus has saw-toothed stem edges with yellow pollen, and Easter cactuses have more rounded stems with little bristles on the segments.
Find Where to Buy the Best Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri)
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