Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)

Last updated: August 3, 2025

Care Sheet List

The Thanksgiving Cactus, a popular houseplant, is cherished for its vibrant, tubular flowers that typically bloom in late fall and early winter. Unlike desert cacti, these are epiphytic jungle cacti, meaning they grow on trees in their natural habitat, not in soil.

Lighting

Thanksgiving Cacti thrive in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight, especially harsh afternoon sun, can scorch their delicate stems and cause them to turn reddish. An east-facing window is ideal, providing gentle morning sun. A north-facing window might be too dim, while a west or south-facing window may require sheer curtains for protection.

Watering Routine

Water your Thanksgiving Cactus when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. They prefer consistent moisture during their active growing and blooming periods, but absolutely do not like to sit in soggy soil, which can lead to root rot. Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot, and then empty any excess water from the saucer immediately. Reduce watering significantly after blooming (around late winter/early spring) and during their semi-dormant period in summer.

Fertilizer Requirements

Fertilize your Thanksgiving Cactus during its active growing season, primarily from spring through early fall.

• Type: Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus to encourage blooming (e.g., a "bloom booster" formula).
• Commercial Recommendation: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food (Liquid) or Schultz Liquid Plant Food are good options. Dilute these commercial concentrates to achieve approximately 25-50 ppm N in your final solution, applied every 2-4 weeks. This is often equivalent to using them at "half strength" or "quarter strength" of the package's recommended dose.
• DIY Fertilizer Suggestion: For optimal blooming, use your homemade 1-2-1 liquid fertilizer concentrate (High Phosphorus) or a balanced 1-1-1 liquid fertilizer concentrate.
  • For 1-2-1 concentrate (10,000 ppm N): Apply at a "Light Feeding" rate, using 5 ml per 1 liter of water (resulting in ~50 ppm N, 100 ppm P₂O₅, 50 ppm K₂O). See recipe details.
  • For 1-1-1 concentrate (10,000 ppm N): Apply at a "Light Feeding" rate, using 5 ml per 1 liter of water (resulting in ~50 ppm N, 50 ppm P₂O₅, 50 ppm K₂O). See recipe details.
• Important: Stop fertilizing around late September to encourage bud formation for their winter bloom. Resume after blooming.

Misting Requirements

Thanksgiving Cacti are native to humid, tropical environments and appreciate moderate to high humidity.

• Regular misting (daily or every few days) with room-temperature water is beneficial, especially in dry indoor environments or during winter when heating is on.
• Placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (ensuring the pot does not sit in the water) can also effectively increase ambient humidity. Grouping it with other plants also helps create a microclimate.

Pot Size and Soil Type

• Pot Size: Thanksgiving Cacti prefer to be somewhat root-bound, which can encourage more abundant blooms. They don't need frequent repotting. When repotting (best done after blooming, in late winter/early spring), choose a pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one. Ensure the pot has excellent drainage holes.
• Soil Type: As epiphytes, they need a very well-draining, airy, and slightly acidic potting mix. Standard potting soil is too heavy and retains too much moisture.
• An ideal mix often includes elements like orchid bark, perlite, and peat moss or coco coir.
• You can create a suitable mix by combining:
• 1 part quality potting mix (or peat moss/coco coir)
• 1 part perlite (medium or coarse)
• 1/2 part small orchid bark or coarse sand
• NOTE: We used this mix
• 1 part Miracle-Gro Palm, Cactus & Citrus Potting Mix
• 1 part Perlite (Vigoro fine/medium mix)
• 1/2 part Peat Moss
  

Promoting Blooms

To encourage abundant flowering, a Thanksgiving Cactus needs a period of cool temperatures and short days/long nights (around 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness).

• Starting in early fall (late September/early October), expose the plant to cooler temperatures (around 50-55°F or 10-13°C) and ensure it receives 12-14 hours of complete darkness each night for 4-6 weeks. Even a brief flash of light at night can disrupt bud formation.
• After buds have set, you can move the plant back to its normal, slightly warmer (but still cool) location, and resume a regular watering schedule.