Christmas cactus is a common name for your holiday plant. Their scientific name is Schlumbergera, which refers to the botanist who first described them. They are native to tropical forests in Brazil, Venezuela and Ecuador. Christmas cacti grow in trees as epiphytes or air plants, dangling from branches high above the ground.
Christmas cactus stems bloom on new growth, and if it’s not properly cared for, any cuttings will flower poorly or not at all. In their native habitat in Central America, their flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds, which zip in from nowhere to drink nectar. So even before you have bought your Christmas Cactus you should have a good idea of where it is going to live – whether it is going to be a pot plant, an outdoor plant or one that is purchased and then taken into the house for a short time before returning outside again.
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The Christmas cactus is a succulent plant that grows in the winter and blooms in the spring. This plant is native to South America, and its flowers come in a variety of colors, including pink and red.
The Christmas cactus is known for its ability to bloom during the winter months, when most plants do not bloom. It does this because it stores energy from sunlight throughout the year and uses that energy to grow flowers in wintertime. The Christmas cactus also has thick leaves that store water so that it can survive long periods of drought.
The Christmas cactus symbolizes hope and faithfulness throughout many cultures around the world. It also represents new beginnings and rebirths—as well as love and friendship—among other things.
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful, hardy plant that blooms in the winter and has been a traditional holiday decoration for centuries. Its blooms are usually red, pink, or white and resemble poinsettias—the traditional Christmas plant that represents the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Christmas cactus originated in Mexico and is known by several names there: “pitahaya” (which means “pineapple”), “Christmas candle,” and “Star of Bethlehem.” It was introduced to North America by English settlers in the 1800s.
The plant thrives best in dry conditions and does not require much water or fertilizer during its dormant period—just enough to keep it alive until spring. In fact, overwatering can kill it!
In addition to being a popular Christmas decoration, the Christmas cactus has many other uses outside of its festive holiday role. It can be used as a houseplant or an outdoor specimen if you live in a warm climate that doesn’t get too cold at night (below freezing). The flowers are edible when ripe—they taste like apples! And if you’re looking for something to do with your leftover blooms after Christmas? You can dry them out for use later on in flower arrangements
Spiritual meaning of christmas cactus
Who would have thought that a cactus would be a representation of Christmas? The holiday generally invokes scenes of snow, firesides, and evergreen conifers, but certainly not cacti. The story behind the Christmas cactus reveals why it bears the name and shows that there are several other “holiday” cacti, as well.
Schlumbergera Plant History Adding to the intrigue, the Christmas cactus origin is steeped in sultry, tropical temperatures in the country of Brazil. A plant in the Schlumbergera family, Christmas cacti are so named because of their flowering time in the Northern Hemisphere. In their home region, they flower in April to May and the common name has no meaning. In Europe, they are called crab cactus, a nod to their clawed limbs. There are six main species of Schlumbergera. Of these, several are designated as “holiday” cacti in commercial production. These bloom from September to February and are forced to bloom and sold as gift plants during the Thanksgiving and Christmas periods, hence the Thanksgiving cactus plant and Christmas cactus were named.
The genus name is a tribute to Frederic Schlumberger, a French collector of exotic botanical species. The group of holiday cacti were discovered by Allen Cunningham in the early 1800s, and by the 1900s, there were several hybrids. Butterfly Garden Course These were adopted into the Christian holiday traditions due to their blooming times, which coincided with Thanksgiving and Christmas. Botanical Christmas Cactus Origin Investigating the history of Christmas cactus reveals a bit of a tangle. Many botanists insist that Schlumbergera x buckleyi is the original, true Christmas cactus.
This hybrid has all but disappeared and is a treasure among collectors. The form Schlumbergera truncata is the parent of the majority of the holiday cacti available today. It is actually quite different from S. buckleyi, with an asymmetrical flower and wings on the ovary. It may be found in hues of white, pink, rose, and yellow, while the original Christmas cactus was white with a pale pink throat. There are also hybrids with more orange tones and even an Easter cactus, which blooms later in the season. One Possible Story Behind the Christmas Cactus A bit of research leads to a charming bit of Schlumbergia history. A Jesuit missionary known as Father Jose was trying to convert Bolivian natives. However, in spite of his good works and attempts to pass along the Word, he was met with failure. The native people appreciated his help but did not believe in the Christmas story he tried to convey. As he was praying at his crude alter on Christmas eve, he heard his congregants singing a hymn he had taught them. When he looked up, the children of the village were heading his way bearing plant stems decorated with beautiful flowers. These were the blooms of Schlumbergia cacti, which they gave to him to decorate the altar. Whether the story is true or not, it is illustrative and a sweet tale nonetheless.
The Symbolic Meaning of Cacti
Giving or Getting a Cactus as a Gift?
The word Cactus comes from ‘Kaktos’, a Greek name which was given to a spiny plant commonly found in Sicily. With its protective spines and peculiar morphology, the cactus has long been deemed one of the least alluring plants of the natural kingdom. But this fascinating plant harbors some powerful ancient wisdom beneath its thorns.
As per Native American culture, because cacti can survive in harsh conditions, they’ve become a symbol of warmth and unconditional, enduring love. As per some Eastern cultures, the cactus has come to symbolize strength and protection and, in some case, lust and attractiveness! Let’s look at what it might mean if someone gives you a cactus.
What does it mean if you receive a cactus as a gift?
They Think You’re strong
Cacti evolved in barren, dry deserts as strong and resilient plants. Stemming from that fact, they’ve come to represent endurance, courage and power in the face of adversity. Cacti are designed to survive, even when the going gets tough!
If you’re currently going through a tough time, someone may give you a cactus to let you know that you are a warrior and you can handle this! They think you’re a fighter, a vigorous and strong survivor! When things are tough, we sometimes forget our inner strength and feel a little bit down on ourselves. But hopefully, with a cactus on your shelf, you’ll be reminded that you too can handle adversity and take on whatever challenge you’re facing! A perfect gift for a friend going through a tough time.
They Want to Protect You
If someone gives you a cactus, they want to protect you! According to principles of Feng Shui, putting a cactus on the windowsills of your home will protect you from negative energy and misfortune. Any bad juju that tries to enter will be bounced right back out by the powerful thorns of the cactus! Decorating with cacti can redirect negative energy, balance energy flow, and create an environment that also attracts wealth and prosperity. When in bloom, the cactus can help enhance communication and understanding of other people. What better gift to give a family member?
They Think You’re Hot!
In the ancient Japanese art of Hanakotoba, presenting a plant to someone was taken quite seriously. Every type of plant or flower had a meaning and sent a clear message. In the tradition of Hanakotoba, the cactus was associated with lust and attraction. So, giving a cactus as a gift could be like telling them they’re hot or giving them a love letter! Your significant other will love this gift!
So, despite their prickly demeanour, cacti have upheld surprisingly positive meaning in different cultures. The next time someone gives you a cactus, consider that they may want to tell you you’re strong, they may want to offer you protection or maybe they want to ask you out on a date!