The Christmas cactus is an epiphytic cactus that is native to Brazil. It is a popular houseplant that has jointed flat segments and rose purple flowers, which bloom in winter. In the wild, Christmas cacti can be found growing in the forks of tree limbs, where they feed off the decayed leaves.

The correct botanical name for Christmas cacti is Schlumbergera. It is a hybrid of the Schlumbergera truncata and Schlumbergera russelliana. This type of cactus has been a holiday houseplant since the 1800s. It is a tropical cactus plant that requires care that is completely different than that of a regular cactus.

Christmas cacti are given their name because, when properly cared for, they are in full bloom during the holiday months. During the fall months, maintaining the correct temperature is crucial. It is important to keep the temperature in the house around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Keep the Christmas cactus away from heat vents and doors that open to the outside of the house. Areas of extreme heat or cold must be avoided or the plant will not bloom.

Proper light is crucial to getting the Christmas cactus to bloom during the holidays. Place the cactus in an areas that receives indirect bright light during the day. At night, the cactus needs complete darkness. This means that the room must not have any light at all, including lamps, night lights or television.

When watering a Christmas cactus, follow the same guidelines for watering any other tropical plant. Water the cactus thoroughly and allow the soil to dry. When the top inch (2.54 cm) of soil is dry, water it again. During the fall and winter, water it less frequently.

In order to keep the Christmas cactus alive, keep the humidity in the room around 50 to 60 percent. You can do this by keeping a small bowl of water near the plant. As it evaporates, the air will stay humid. You can also place the plant on a saucer filled with pebbles. Add water halfway up the pebbles and it will provide a continuous source of humidity for the cactus plant.

Fertilize the Christmas cactus with a liquid fertilizer in late October to early November. Verify that the nitrogen ratio of the fertilizer is no higher than ten percent. There are three numbers on the fertilizer container and the first one is the percentage of nitrogen it contains.

With proper care, this plant can be passed down from generation to generation. It is a long-lived, easy plant to grow. When properly cared for, it will flower several times throughout the year.