Schlumbergera russeliana aka Christmas Cactus

With its straightforward care requirements, Christmas Cactus is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Christmas Cactus does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

The Christmas Cactus is delicate when it comes to soil that is too damp, therefore, it is crucial to select a potting soil that has efficient drainage and doesn't hold an excessive amount of moisture. An ideal soil should consist of a substantial amount of perlite or vermiculite for proper drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. Mixing a few handfuls of perlite with commercially available cactus soil should produce the desired result.

To ensure optimal growth, the Christmas Cactus prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

During the wintertime, it is common for Christmas Cactus plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Christmas Cactus is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Christmas Cactus thrives in dry environments, but if you provide extra humidity or mist your plant, the lingering water on its leaves could create an ideal environment for certain fungal diseases.

The growth of Christmas Cactus is gradual and it doesn't necessitate any additional fertilizers. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should suffice to provide the plant with sufficient nutrition. It's important to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun's rays, not fertilizers.

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

Christmas Cactus’s native range is Southeastern Brazil.