Crab Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Crab cactus is a cactus from the humid forests of southeastern Brazil, grown mainly as a houseplant in the United States. Its flat, leaflike stems have pointed teeth along their edges, while Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera × buckleyi) has rounded edges. Crab cactus is often called Thanksgiving cactus because it blooms around that holiday.

Appearance

Appearance: The green, leaflike parts are stems with pointed teeth along their edges.
Growth form: Flat stem segments branch and eventually trail over the pot.
Flowers: Tubular blooms rise from the stem tips in red, pink, orange, or white shades.
Flowering time: In U.S. cultivation, flowers usually appear around late November.

Look-alikes

Christmas cactusSchlumbergera × buckleyi

Crab cactus has pointed teeth on its flat stem segments and flowers that point outward. Christmas cactus has rounded scallops and more drooping flowers.

Why they get mixed upBoth are sold as holiday cacti.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Houseplants
Greenhouses
Range: It comes from the humid forests of southeastern Brazil. In the United States, it is grown mainly as a houseplant.
Preferred conditions: Bright, filtered light and a well-drained potting mix suit this forest cactus. It can grow outdoors in U.S. plant hardiness zones 10–12.
Flowering: Flowers Nov
Flowers Nov

Growing it

Propagation: Stem segments can root as .

Name and classification

About the name: “Christmas cactus” is also used for this species, though it often refers to the separate hybrid.
Varieties and forms: Garden plants may be named cultivated varieties or ; flower color alone does not establish that a plant is the wild species.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: VUVulnerableHigh risk of extinction in the wild

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