When it comes to living Christmas decorations, it’s hard to top the Christmas cactus. This perennial favorite is known and loved for its tropical blooms that show up around the holidays every year. It’s no wonder, then, that nearly everyone has one. Who wouldn’t? They’re beautiful and easy to grow.
(The bigger question is whether you have a true Christmas cactus or a Thanksgiving cactus. Click here to find out.)
But why stop with the humble Schlumbergera buckleyi? Whether you’ve mastered the art of getting your Christmas cactus to bloom and now you’re looking for the next challenge or you’re looking to grow something a little less common, we’ve got some gorgeous alternatives to everyone’s favorite holiday cactus.
If you’d like to try growing another epiphyte, here are a couple to consider.
1. Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera)
Aside from its very holiday-centric name, the mistletoe cactus stands out with its ethereal, cascading stems that create a soft, flowing texture. They look amazing in hanging baskets or placed up on high shelves. Native to tropical rainforests, this epiphytic cactus is unique for its love of shade and moisture, a departure from its desert-dwelling cousins.
What’s more, the slender, trailing branches produce tiny white flowers in spring, followed by translucent, berry-like fruits that resemble mistletoe. Care for the mistletoe cactus involves replicating its natural environment: bright, indirect light, consistently moist (but not waterlogged) soil, and a well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter. With its exotic appearance, you would expect the mistletoe cactus to be fussy to maintain, but much like a Christmas cactus, it’s relatively low-maintenance.
2. Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum spp.)
The orchid cactus is famed for its jaw-dropping blooms that rival the grandeur of orchids, hence its name. These nocturnal blossoms, which emerge from their flattened, arching stems, come in a spectrum of colors, including vivid pinks, reds, and whites, often filling the night air with a sweet fragrance. They also enjoy a reputation for being difficult to get to bloom. But if you’ve mastered the blooming secrets of a Christmas cactus, then you should have no problem coaxing flowers from an orchid cactus.
Native to Central and South American rainforests, this epiphytic plant thrives in bright, indirect light and a chunky, well-draining potting mix. It appreciates regular watering during its active growing season but prefers slightly drier conditions in winter. With its dramatic flowers and elegant growth habit, the orchid cactus makes a stunning addition to any plant collection.
3. Easter Cactus (Hatiora gaertneri)
Okay, this one does feel a bit like cheating, as it’s similar to a Christmas cactus. However, the Easter cactus has flowers that are very differently shaped than its Christmas cousin. The almost daisy-like flowers bloom in shades of pink, red, and coral around Easter. Its segmented cladodes form a tidy, rounded shape, making it an attractive houseplant even when it’s not blooming.
Native to Brazilian rainforests, this plant prefers identical conditions to the Christmas cactus – bright, indirect light, moderate watering, and allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Cooler night temperatures and shorter daylight hours encourage its flowering. With its seasonal charm and easy care, the Easter cactus brings a festive burst of color to springtime décor.
Of course, you’re not limited to cacti if you’re looking for interesting plants that offer a splash of color in the wintertime.
4. Christmas Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)
The Christmas cherry, also known as Jerusalem cherry, is a compact ornamental plant prized for its vibrant red or orange berries that resemble miniature holiday ornaments. Its glossy green leaves and festive fruiting habit make it a popular choice for winter décor. With a name like the Christmas cherry, who wouldn’t want to add one to their collection?
Native to South America, this plant thrives in bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It requires moderate watering and occasional pruning to maintain its bushy shape. While the berries are visually striking, they are toxic and should be kept out of reach of children and pets. With its festive name and appearance, the Christmas cherry is an eye-catching addition to any houseplant collection.
5. Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)
The desert rose is a striking succulent, capturing both the strength and breathtaking beauty of the desert landscape in plant form. It boasts an almost sculpted-looking trunk called the caudex and produces delicate trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white.
Native to arid regions of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, this plant is as hardy as it is beautiful, thriving in bright sunlight and well-draining, sandy soil. It requires minimal watering, especially during its dormant winter phase. During the growing season, its blooms create a dramatic contrast against its glossy green leaves and distinctive trunk. With its showy flowers, the desert rose makes a captivating centerpiece for sunny windowsills that need a pop of color.
6. Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Kalanchoe is another popular plant that shows up around the holidays. With its compact clusters of tiny, vibrant flowers that bloom for weeks, it’s the perfect plant to help chase away cabin fever in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink. Its thick, succulent leaves store water, making it an ideal choice for busy or novice houseplant parents.
Native to Madagascar, kalanchoe thrives in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, requiring watering only when the soil is dry. With its long-lasting blooms and minimal care needs, kalanchoe is a great alternative to Christmas cactus. Learn how to care for it here.
7. Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)
Cyclamen looks like something out of a fairytale with its delicate, butterfly-like flowers that rise above heart-shaped, variegated leaves. Blooming in shades of pink, red, white, and purple, this plant seems as though it would be more at home popping up in the spring. Yet, cyclamen are another popular winter-blooming plant.
Native to the Mediterranean, cyclamen prefers cool temperatures, bright, indirect light, and well-draining soil. It is sensitive to overwatering and thrives when watered from below to avoid rotting its tuber. Cyclamen’s ability to bloom in winter makes it the perfect choice for adding a pop of color to indoor spaces during the colder months. If you follow Mickey’s advice, she will show you how to get your cyclamen to rebloom again and again.
8. Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
Wintergreen is a low-growing, evergreen shrub. It’s well-known among foragers for its flavorful foliage and cheerful red berries that persist throughout the winter. I’ve snacked on many a wintergreen berry while trudging through the snow as a child.
Native to North American woodlands, its glossy leaves release a minty fragrance when crushed, and its berries are a favorite of wildlife. Wintergreen thrives in partial shade, acidic soil, and cool, moist conditions, which can easily be mimicked indoors, making it a great little holiday houseplant. This hardy plant’s festive appearance and adaptability make it a charming addition to your indoor holiday landscape.
And finally, if instant gratification is more your style, try forcing Amaryllis or Paperwhite bulbs.
9. Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.)
Amaryllis is a showstopper. It’s impossible to walk into a room and not notice their large, trumpet-shaped flowers in bold hues of Christmassy red, white, or peppermint stripes. And those are only the colors you can commonly find in most stores. If you order amaryllis bulbs from an online nursery, you can enjoy deep, velvety purples, creamy peach and shocking orange.
Growing from a bulb, amaryllis is easy to care for: plant it in well-draining soil, water sparingly until growth begins, and provide bright, indirect light. With proper care, it rewards gardeners with weeks of spectacular blooms. Save your bulb to rebloom annually and start a cherished holiday tradition.
10. Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus)
Paperwhites are a joy to grow in the winter, producing fragrant clusters of creamy white, star-shaped flowers atop slender green stems. These members of the daffodil family show up everywhere just before Thanksgiving, ready for indoor forcing during the winter months.
Paperwhites grow easily in pebbles and water or soil, but they need bright, indirect light and cool temperatures to thrive. To learn how easy it is to force paperwhites to bloom for the holidays, click here.
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