Easter Cactus

This holiday cactus is so named because it blooms around the Easter holiday in the northern hemisphere.

It will mostly care for itself once it is set up properly, although certain conditions are required for the Easter cactus to bloom the following year.

Description

A native of southeastern Brazil, Hatiora gaertneri is a tropical cactus that requires a certain amount of regular water in order to survive. The fully grown cactus resembles a shrub. In the wild, these cacti grow on trees or rocks only, so they require a special potting mixture to keep them healthy in your home.

How It Looks: The Easter cactus forms from a single, squat stem. From this, elongated leaf segments grow. Unlike other holiday cacti, the Easter variety has no scallops or teeth on a healthy leaf. These leaves darken in color as they age, beginning life as pale green. They will grow wider and flatter with age, with fully grown segments measuring 1.5-3 inches (4-7 cm), and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. When fully grown, segments will arc toward the ground under their own weight.

Flowering: In late April and early May, this cactus will form stunning starburst shaped flowers in crimson hues. These large blooms are typically 3 inches (7.5 cm) across, with yellow stamen in the center. Flowers only bloom from areoles at the ends of mature segments. If fertilized, these flowers will produce oblong red fruit bearing seeds.

Immediately after flowering has finished, this cacti requires a one month resting period. During this month, restrict water to keep the soil moist only, and do not offer fertilizer. After the month, resume watering and fertilizing on a regular basis. Beginning in January, move the plant to a cool room: 50-65°F (10-18°C) during the day and 45-55°F (7-13°C) at night. Provide at least 14 hours of darkness daily by covering the plant with a box or keeping it in an interior closet. Continue until buds form.

Facts

Buds Appearing

Easter Cactus Care

Potential Problems

• The cactus will fail to flower the following year if it is watered regularly or fertilized in the 30 days following blooming.
• Next year’s blossoms will be smaller if the plant is permitted to waste energy developing fruits. Pinch off the withered flowers to prevent this.
• Never disturb a blooming plant for any reason except to water it. Touching the flowers will cause them to fall off the plant.
• Move the budding plant from the winter room to its usual light source immediately when buds are seen.
• Over-watering will result in segments of the plant breaking off for no apparent reason. These segments can be re-potted for propagation.
• Under-watering will cause the segments of the plant to collapse in toward the pot and start turning yellow. Increase watering over the course of the next few weeks to stop this. Too much water too quickly will shock the plant.

Elyssa Goins

Elyssa Goins is an experienced house plant hobbyist who maintains over a hundred plants. She is a gardener, beekeeper, and a proud mother of four.  She is a member of the American Horticultural Society, has a published study in the National Social Science Association, and loves to talk about her love of plants.  For the past twenty years, she’s been all about growing and caring for various fruits, veggies, herbs, livestock, kids, and houseplants. Managing a big garden to feed four growing kids and raising dairy goats has taught her so much about being an excellent plant parent and now is her time to share with you.