The Thanksgiving Cactus Variegated is a striking plant that adds an explosion of color and variety to your mix. Ideal for using a statement plant with bold white marbeling on its leaves and bright flowers, this cactus is different from the usual green-leaved species.
So, the Thanksgiving cactus is a member of the Schlumbergera family and closely related to Christmas and Easter Cacti but has unique qualities which have made it one of the most popular types among plant enthusiasts.
Let’s read on to learn about the history, characteristics and feature of Variegated Thanksgiving Cacti as well as their care requirements & flowering seasons. As a seasoned gardener, this guide will help you grow and care for your new plant!
What are Variegated Thanksgiving Cacti?
The Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus is a tropical plant that first found in rainforests of Brazil. Thanksgiving Cacti is not the typical desert cactus; it actually prefers moist, humid conditions as a forest-floor epiphyte. This means that it uptakes its nutrients and water partially by the air, not from the soil exclusively.
Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus is a great choice to plant to all cactus lovers. The foliage is what makes this type of Thanksgiving cactus stand out. It has big leaves that have the green with spots of creamy white or yellow and are visually rewarding when added to any plant collection.
Besides the lovely foliage, this cactus produces bright pink, red, orange or white blooms usually in fall around Thanksgiving to color up your space.
How To Identify A Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus
The shape of the segmented stems with points makes it easy to identify this cactus as a Thanksgiving Cactus rather than its smooth-edged cousins Christmas and Easter. The variegated version follows the same blueprint but has the bonus of showing variegation patches and spots in contrasting colors, usually creamy yellow or white on top of a green base.
The mosaic pattern in each plant originates, at this smallest resolution, from a genetic difference. In its segments the Thanksgiving Cactus blossoms with lovely tubular flowers in autumn. These blossoms will often last for many weeks, providing a dazzling show. Its variegated foliage mixed with colorful flowers make this cactus a real eye catcher in any interior garden.
Holiday Cacti Generally speaking, there are a few types of holiday cacti commonly found in homes.
All three plants belong to the same genus and are often mistaken for each other, but here is how you tell them apart:
Thanksgiving Cactus: The Thanksgiving cactus gets its name from it sharp claw-like points and blooms that come around late fall. These tubular flowers brighten up decorations during the holidays.
Christmas Cactus: Christmas cacti have more rounded edges to their segments and you’ll see flowers coming around December, perfect for the holidays.
Easter Cactus: A variety that blooms in the spring around Easter; features scalloped leaf edges and slightly different flower shapes.
It´s usually the variegated version of Thanksgiving Cactus that is considered valuable because it flowers just a tad earlier and have leafs with offsetting colors.
Growing Conditions of Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus
As far as houseplants go, the Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus is pretty low maintenance but with proper care and light conditions you will be rewarded each year with bursts of colourful flowers. Let’s know the details!
1. Light Requirements
Variegated Thanksgiving CactusThe Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus belongs to the Schlumbergera truncata species and it thrives keeping in bright, indirect light. It can handle partial direct sunlight, but if it is too intense then the partially variegated leaves might scorch or lose their color.
Place it near an east- or north-facing window so that the peperomia gets lots of light but without any direct hot afternoon sun.
You may put your cactus in a shady area during the warmest months, and bring it indoors before temperature drops below 50°F since it is quite sensitive to cold.
2. Temperature and Humidity
This cactus will do best in temperatures between 60°F and 70°. In particular, it prefers cool nighttime temperatures especially in autumn to help induce blooming. To begin blooming again, its really like the flowers are sitting on a switch and all you have to do as flip that flower.
And for this just require s one thing- Cool nighttime temperatures around 50°F. It prefers slightly higher humidity than the desert cacti, emotions-wise. Living in areas with dryer conditions then misting your plant occasionally or using it on a humidity tray. An ideal range is 50-60%4,6.
3. Soil and Potting
Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus wants soil that and drains easily ideal so water won’t sit around the roots. A cactus/succulent mix is a great choice or you might want to make your own by mixing ordinary potting soil with perlite, pumice etc.
Just be sure the pot has drainage holes to let extra water out. Just in case, since cacti do not like their roots sitting in soggy soil and can get root rot.
4. Watering Requirements
Thanksgiving Cactus Care Watering In the growing season (spring until early fall), water when the top inch of soil feels dry. It loves humidity, though let it dry out a bit between watering to prevent root rot.
Keep water a little less in the fall and winter when your cactus is getting ready to bloom or actually blooming. At this time, make sure to let the soil get a little bit drier but don´t allow it to dry out completely.
How to Maintain Your Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus
With a little love, your Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus should live on for years, flowering annually at holiday time. To keep it healthy and blooming, consider these tips:
1. Pruning and Shaping
Once the cactus is done flowering, you can prune it back a little more to promote new growth and create a fuller, denser plant. Also, by pinching a few sections away encourage healthier growth. Pruning should be carried out in late winter or early spring, before the plant commences its growth spurt.
2. Fertilizing
In spring and summer, feed your Thanksgiving Cactus with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Any formula with equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, remember to always cut the fertilizer in half for orchids, they are very easy to over-fertilize and damage.
Do not fertilize in the autumn, when it goes dormant and prepares to bloom. Begin regular fertilization with the onset of spring to encourage healthy growth and colourful leaves.
3. Repotting
Thanksgiving Cacti: As with Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving plants grow best when roots are crowded in the pot; thus repotting your plant every other year or so should be enough.
On average, you need to repot every 2-3 years ideally in the spring after the growth period of your plant. Transplant into a pot 1 size up with fresh, well-draining soil and do your best not to disturb the roots. Repotting the cactus brings new food and allows the roots more room to grow.
How to Get Your Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus Flowers Blooming
In the end, the beauty of this plant is when it flowers and presents its striking shaped petals so whichever variety you opt for, make sure that perhaps with a reduced watering regime your plants will spring back to life in time. So here are the steps to make your cactus flowering beautifully!
- Cooler Temperatures
If it is around the time that fall is starting to set in, make sure you keep your cactus plant in a cooler environment, specifically around 50°F or higher at night. This rapid drop in temperature prompts the natural bloom cycle of the plant.
- Modify More Hours
Thanksgiving Cactus responds to lose hours of daylight the way a number of distinct fall-blooming crops do. During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, turn off any lights in or around the plant for 12-14 hours each day. That tells the cactus, ok time to flower.
- Consistent Environment
After the Bud has formed, be sure to not move your plant around as light or temperature changes can cause buds to drop before opening.
Given the proper care and conditions, a Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus will bless you with beautiful flowers around holiday time.
Common Problems and Solutions
With the relatively low maintenance of the Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus, a few common issues may arise:
Leaf Drop: Exposure to cold temperatures, or underwatering. Do not keep the cactus in an environment that shifts and make sure its soil is kept somewhat moist but not overly soggy.
Buds Dropping: Bud drop often happens when you move the plant after it has formed buds. Once buds appear, do your best to stop moving the cactus around.
Yellowing Leaves: If the leaves start to turn yellow you may be overwatering. To prevent root rot, dry soil slightly before watering.
Conclusion
A lovely one-of-a-kind plant for your home to add beautiful blooms and characterful variegated foliage is Variegated Thanksgiving Cactus. Properly cared for, it will carry on growing season after season and in time can become a holiday favorite amongst your plants. With the correct growing requirements like including proper light, humidity and blooming cycle, etc. you will get the highest feedback.
So, you can enjoy the colorful blooms accompanied with its elegant foliage, year after year. This low-maintenance plant is sure to charm up any indoor space like during Christmas and even provides some purifying benefits.
