With its explosion of colorful blooms, the Christmas cactus definitely lives up to its name during the holiday season. These stunning flowers can grow up to four inches long! Most of the plants you’ll find at the garden center are hybrids, which means they’ve been specially bred to show off a huge variety of colors.
What colors can a Christmas cactus be?
The classic Christmas cactus look usually features shades of red and pink with a beautiful gradient effect. Typically, the petals start white at the base and transition into deep red or pink at the edges. The tube of the flower is usually white, while the center (the throat) is a vibrant pink. But if you want to spice things up, there are some really cool color variations out there to brighten up your home during the blooming season.
For example, orange Christmas cacti are a huge hit; their petals have very little white and instead show off a glowing orange hue at the tips. If you’re looking for something a bit more elegant, white or yellow varieties are gorgeous choices. In the yellow versions, the petals fade from a crisp white to a soft, buttery yellow, creating a striking contrast with that signature pink throat.
Do the leaves come in different colors, too?
For the most part, the segmented “leaves” (which are actually flattened stems) stay a simple green. You might notice that brand-new growth is a bit lighter than the older segments. I’ll admit, the plant can look a little plain for most of the year, but that spectacular holiday show makes the wait totally worth it!
Just a heads-up: your plant absolutely needs a “rest period” for a few weeks, or it won’t bloom at all. To get those flowers ready right in time for Christmas, you should start this rest phase in August or September. During this time, stop fertilizing and cut back significantly on watering.
Cool Christmas Cactus Varieties to Look For:
- Golden Sun: Petals fade from rose-pink to a golden yellow; pink tube and throat.
- Purple/Lilac: Petals transition from white to a delicate lilac; white tube and pink throat.
- Samba Brasil: A showstopper with a gradient from white to yellow, ending in bright red edges; white tube and pink throat.
- Thor Alec: Petals range from soft pink to yellow; pink tube and throat.
- White Christmas Cactus: Pure white petals and tube with a contrasting pink throat.
Quick Tip: Once your Christmas cactus starts setting buds, leave it right where it is! Don’t move it to a new location—even just rotating the pot can cause the plant to drop its buds in a huff.
