Formerly Zygocactus
Family: Cactaceae
Common Name: Christmas Cactus, Crab Cactus

These epiphytic cactuses from Brazil include the Christmas cactus and the similar crab cactus. They are both popular and easily grown pot plants for the home or intermediate green-house or conservatory, flowering in autumn and winter.

Species

S. x buckleyi is the familiar Christmas cactus, which produces bright red blooms in the winter. Rather similar and often confused with that hybrid is S. truncata, the crab cactus, but the stein sections have toothed edges, resembling a crab's claw. The flowers in shades of pink, red, orange and white are produced in autumn and winter.

Cultivation

Grow in cactus compost formulated for epiphytes. Plants can be grown in hanging baskets if desired. Provide good light, but shade from direct sun. Maintain a humid atmosphere. Water normally, but keep only slightly moist in the winter and spring following flowering. Propagate in summer from cuttings of stem sections rooted with bottom heat.

Climate

Zone 10. Must be frost-free.