Christmas and Easter cactus - how do they differ?

Christmas cactus and Easter cactus - the same plant?

Is the flowering period a sure-fire differentiator?

A distinguishing feature of these cacti is the flowering time, but it is quite unreliable. In principle, the Christmas cactus blooms in winter, around Christmas time, and the Easter cactus in spring, around Easter, as the names suggest. However, some plants bloom at “the wrong time” or even twice a year.

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In addition, you can definitely influence the flowering time, namely through temperature and light. Your Easter cactus will not bloom without hibernation. He needs at least four weeks with little light and a temperature of around 12 ° C to 15 ° C. If you change the time or duration of this hibernation, you will also influence the flowering time.

How do I safely distinguish the Easter cactus from the Christmas cactus?

Safe criteria for differentiation are the shape of the flower and the shape of the leaves or limbs. The flowers of the Easter cactus are star-shaped, while those of the Christmas cactus are elongated, with petals in several “levels”. These flowers can be up to seven centimeters long, depending on the species. Incidentally, the Easter cactus cannot tolerate a change of location during the flowering period. Better to wait until flowering is over.

The cactus limbs (you can also call them leaves) of the two plants have a different shape. While the leaves of the Christmas cactus are jagged, the Easter cactus has relatively smooth rounded to oval limbs, which may be a little wavy but are never jagged.

If the leaves are slightly reddish in color, your plant is probably getting too much sun. Place your Easter cactus in a slightly shady place, otherwise it may soon lose its leaves.