This Christmas cactus with white flowers opens snowy blooms along its arching, spineless stems just as the holidays arrive. It likes bright, indirect light and a little humidity, and the ASPCA lists Christmas cactus as non-toxic to cats and dogs. An elegant pick for winter decor or a thoughtful holiday gift.
White Christmas Cactus Care & Buying Guide
Bright, indirect light. Don't put into direct sun or it will bleach out their foliage.
Water your Christmas cactus when the soil is dry on the top inch. Always consider the environment and time of year. If your Christmas cactus is outdoors in a hot, dry climate, they may require watering every two to three days, since they are from a more tropical environment. If you treat them like an indoor plant where they stay in a cool or humid area, they might require water weekly. In the fall and winter months, decrease watering to stimulate blooming. Use filtered, bottled, or tap water sitting 24 hours to release the chemicals and water enough that the water discharges out of the drainage holes. Once the water is fully drained, return the plant to its cachepot or decorative pot.
The plant comes from the tropics and prefers a humid environment. Add them on a pebble tray filled with water but don't let the roots sit in water. Spritz them each day or add a humidifier next to it to maintain higher levels of humidity.
The Christmas cactus does best in warm temperatures during the day between 70-80°F and nights from 55 to 65°F, which help it set flower buds in fall. Once it blooms, keep it at a steady room temperature, away from drafts and heat vents.
Grows outdoors year-round only in USDA zones 9 to 11. Everywhere else, keep it as a houseplant and bring it inside before the first fall frost.
Water the plant before fertilizing to avoid fertilizer burn. Use a liquid fertilizer every two weeks throughout the spring and summer months, then stop during the fall and winter.
Wait 6 to 12 months before repotting a new plant. It blooms best a little root-bound, so repot only every few years, in spring, into a pot about 2 inches wider with drainage holes and a succulent and cactus mix. Water the day before, loosen the root ball, trim any dead or mushy roots, set the plant at its old depth, and water thoroughly.
Prune yearly if needed to tame unruly branches. Cut between two leaf segments. You can trim the entire plant down by a third each year if needed.
Take the cuttings from pruning and let the cut ends heal for a few days to callus over. Leave them laid out on a paper towel. Afterward, place cut side down into succulent and cactus soil. Keep the soil lightly moist. Within two weeks, roots will form, and you'll have birthed new plant babies!
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White Christmas Cactus: Overview
The White Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii), formerly known as Zygocactus, is a stunning epiphytic succulent, celebrated for its elegant, tubular white blooms that cascade beautifully from segmented stems. As a rare color variety among Christmas Cacti, it brings a unique touch to holiday decor. It is a true cactus, but a forest one: it comes from the humid coastal mountains of southeastern Brazil, so it likes more moisture than a desert cactus. Hardy outdoors in USDA zones 9 to 11, it prefers bright, indirect light and has a moderate care level, making it suitable for attentive plant owners. The White Christmas Cactus symbolizes renewal and resilience and is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a great family-friendly choice. You can also find stunning alternatives, like the vibrant Red Christmas Cactus, the beautiful Pink Christmas Cactus, and other colorful varieties, for a festive and cheerful indoor display.
Christmas Cactus: Benefits
- Easy to care for and maintain
- Brings snowy white blooms to the darkest weeks of winter
- A great gift plant for the holidays
- Adds aesthetic appeal with its festive blooms
- Pet-friendly and safe for households with animals
Christmas Cactus Common Names: Zygocactus and More
- Zygocactus
- Holiday Cactus
- Crab Cactus
Buying a White Christmas Cactus Online
Pick a Small or Medium White Christmas Cactus in a grower pot, an Eco Pot (Coconut, Earl Grey, Chai, or Macadamia), or a light basket, starting at $43. It makes an easy holiday gift: add a gift note in the cart and we deliver it to their door, backed by our 30 Day Happiness Guarantee.
After the Holidays
Once the white flowers fade, cut back on water and skip feeding until spring, then return to the routine in the care tabs above. Pinch off spent blooms and shape the plant by removing a few segments. For reblooming tips, read our Christmas cactus care guide.
White Christmas Cactus Plant: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
The White Christmas Cactus is a stunning addition to your holiday decor and thrives beautifully in various environments. Here are some of the best placement ideas and suitable uses for this festive plant.
Best Locations & Uses
- A perfect holiday plant, bringing cheer with its rare, elegant blooms
- Suitable for novice plant enthusiasts, as it requires minimal care
- Relatively drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for busy individuals
- Ideal for brightly lit places like windowsills or sunlit shelves
- A fantastic holiday gift, especially for pet owners, as it's safe for furry friends.
Companion Plants
Pair your White Flower Christmas Cactus with mini succulents or the below complementary plants for a vibrant and festive display:
- Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree (Ficus lyrata): The vibrant green, large leaves of the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree add a dramatic touch and create an eye-catching contrast with the delicate cactus blooms.
- Janet Craig Dragon Plant (Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig'): A sleek, low-maintenance plant, the Janet Craig Dragon Plant complements the Christmas Cactus with its upright, glossy green foliage.
- Rosemary Christmas Tree (Rosmarinus officinalis): A fragrant, decorative herb shaped like a mini holiday tree, the Rosemary Christmas Tree is perfect for adding a festive and aromatic element to your plant display.
Alternative Plants
If you're looking for alternative plants similar to the White Christmas Cactus plant, consider these options available on Lively Root:
- Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia): A striking, pet-friendly plant with long, wavy leaves featuring dark green patterns, the Rattlesnake Plant is ideal for adding a touch of tropical flair to your home.
- Evita Vriesea Bromeliad ('Evita' Vriesea splendens): A vibrant, pet-safe bromeliad with eye-catching red or orange flower spikes, Evita is perfect for brightening up any space and easy to care for with minimal watering needs.
- Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): The Jade Plant is a pet-friendly, low-maintenance succulent with thick, glossy leaves that bring a touch of greenery to any space.
Get a White Christmas Cactus for Sale From Lively Root
Looking for a white Christmas cactus for sale? Order one from Lively Root for delivery to your door, or send it as a holiday gift with a note. Pair it with the Red Christmas Cactus, or browse more Christmas plants and potted Christmas trees.
