Easter cactus
Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri
Also called Whitsun cactus and Schlumbergera gaertneri
Houseplant · Succulents & cactiIT IS NOT A CHRISTMAS CACTUS and it will not be bullied into flowering in December. Its buds set in late winter after a cool dry rest; forcing it on the other one's schedule gives you nothing.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 8 daysDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Feed
- Every 21 days
- Humidity
- Average to high
- Hardiness
- Indoors, or out in high summer RHS H1B, to 10°C
- Size
- 0.3 m tall · 0.4 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- Brazil
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsNothing recorded against it
No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-04. Where a source says nothing, we say nothing.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.