The fact that the Christmas cactus enjoys so much popularity is not only thanks to its flowering at Christmas time. The different leaf shapes and, above all, the many colors in which the flowers appear make it a decorative houseplant.
What colors are the Christmas cactus?
Christmas cacti come in different flower colors such as red, pink, orange, white and yellow. Some varieties even have bicolor flowers. These varied colors make the Christmas cactus a popular and decorative houseplant.
The Christmas cactus blooms in many different colors
The most common are Christmas cacti, which have strong red flowers. However, the palette of colors extends much further. Depending on the variety, the flowers are
- red
- pink
- orange
- white
- yellow
Bicolor varieties are also available commercially. The later flower color can almost always be recognized from the bud.
By the way, the varieties differ not only in the color of the flowers, but also in the shape of the flowers and leaf sections. The flowers vary in length and width depending on the variety. The leaves can be rounded, elongated or oval.
Popular varieties of Christmas cactus
There are a total of six different types of Christmas cactus that bloom in different colors:
- Schlumbergera kautskyi
- Schlumbergera microsphaerica
- Schlumbergera opuntioides
- Schlumbergera orssichiana
- Schlumbergera russelliana
- Schlumbergera trunctata
Some of these species are extremely rare and endangered. Hybrids bred from the different species are almost exclusively available for indoor cultivation.
How to prevent flowers from falling off
No matter which varieties and flower colors you care for – Christmas cacti are a bit tricky. The flowers often fall off before they shine in their beautiful colors.
The reason for this is usually that the pot with the Christmas cactus was moved and rotated. The flowers always align themselves with the light, especially at the beginning. If the location of the light source changes, the flowers turn and fall off. That's why you shouldn't move a Christmas cactus shortly before it blooms.
What to do if the Christmas cactus doesn't bloom
If the Christmas cactus doesn't produce any flowers at all, it hasn't had a break after flowering. During this time it should be kept cooler and darker for a few months.
The three-month dark phase ensures that the Christmas cactus shines in its most beautiful colors.
Tip
The flowering period of the Christmas cactus begins in November and extends into January. It can last up to six weeks. There are some species that even produce a second flower.
