How To Grow And Care For An Easter Cactus For Healthy Growth And Pretty Blooms
Lilies are a common Easter plant, adorning homes and churches across the Southeast during the spring. But there’s another lesser-known holiday beauty that also blooms around the time of Easter. Known as Easter cactus, this lovely plant has interesting flattened stems, an elegant weeping form, and exquisite star-shaped flowers in rich shades of red, orange, pink, or white.
Native to the mountainous rainforests of Brazil, Easter lily (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri) is an epiphyte, which grows in the crooks of tree branches. This plant looks similar to its relatives, the more popular Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera x buckleyi)and Thanksgiving cacti (Schlumbergera truncata), which are named for the holidays closest to their bloom times.
However, Easter cactus is from a different genus. If you look closely, you can tell it apart from the other holiday cacti. Easter cactus have more rounded, scalloped edges to their flattened stems with a few brownish or yellowish bristles on the tips. It does not have sharp spines, making it a good choice around curious kids and pets. The flowers are funnel-shaped with fringe-like edges.
All of these holiday cacti are day-length sensitive and bloom in response to cooler temperatures and the amount of light and darkness they receive. Easter cactus need the longest period of darkness and cooler temperatures to bloom of all the holiday cacti, roughly from late fall until early spring.
Plant Attributes
| Common Name | Easter cactus |
| Botanical Name | Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Mature Size | 6 inches to 12 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Sun Exposure | Bright, indirect light |
| Soil Type | Well-draining, rich |
| Soil pH | Neutral |
| Bloom Time | Early to late spring |
| Flower Color | Red, orange, pink, white, fuchsia |
| Zones | 10 to 11 |
| Toxic to pets | No |
Easter Cactus Care
Easter cactus is less familiar to most people and less commonly sold than other holiday cacti, but it can live for a decade or more if given the right conditions. Its stunning blooms last for weeks, much longer than those of other holiday cacti.
Light
Easter cactus likes bright, indirect light, not direct sunlight, which can scorch the foliage. Make sure it receives total darkness and cooler temperatures (55 to 60 degrees) during the winter dormancy period, starting in late fall. This will stimulate flower bud formation.
Soil
Like orchids, this plant is an epiphyte, which grows on trees in its native environment. However, it adapts well to a pot filled with any well-draining potting soil, though it tends to do best in a cactus and succulent mix. Also, make sure the container has drainage holes because this plant will not tolerate soggy roots.
Water
Because this plant is a succulent, it will not tolerate overwatering. Allow the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings. In fall, reduce watering, keeping it a little more on the dry side until flower buds appear in late winter.
Fertilizer
Fertilize this plant monthly from spring to fall with any general-purpose houseplant fertilizer at half-strength.
Common Pests And Problems
Easter cacti rarely are bothered by pests, although they occasionally get scales or mealybugs, usually from a nearby infected plant. The biggest issues come from too much direct sun (the flattened stems will become scorched and discolored) or overwatering (the plant becomes mushy and dies).
Repotting Easter Cactus
Easter cacti rarely need repotted and tend to “like” being a little root-bound. If you do need to repot, do it after the spring bloom period, and be careful not to break off pieces because the stems can be fragile if mishandled.
Pruning Easter Cactus
Pruning is not required but can help keep the plant looking full. In late spring to early summer when the plant is done blooming, prune the plant all the way around to keep it more compact and bushy. Pruning also stimulates branching, which encourages more flowers. Save the pieces to make new baby plants.
How To Propagate Easter Cactus
These plants are incredibly easy to propagate. Cut or twist off a length of stem containing three to five segments, dip the cut end into rooting hormone, and place in a container filled with potting mix in bright, indirect light. Water and keep slightly damp. You can cover it with plastic wrap to make a mini “greenhouse,” but it’s not necessary. It should root within a few weeks.
Easter Cactus Toxicity
According to the ASPCA, Easter cactus is not toxic to pets. However, any plant can cause GI distress or vomiting if ingested in large enough quantities, so keep all houseplants away from curious pets.
