3 Review(s)

Zygocactus (Schlumbergera truncata) may be sold as a Holiday Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, or even a Christmas Cactus leading to some confusion over whether a Thanksgiving Cactus and a Christmas Cactus are the same. While they do look similar and belong to the same family, a Thanksgiving cactus blooms 4 to 6 weeks earlier than a Christmas Cactus and has a toothed margin on its fleshy leaves. The Christmas Cactus has smooth margins on the leaves and blooms in December.These similar plants look the same at first glance and produce flower buds and blooms with nearly identical shapes and colors. To further complicate the confusion, the Thanksgiving Cactus has experienced a name change from Zygocactus truncata to Schlumbergera truncata in 1953, leading many to wonder if the Zygocactus is really a Thanksgiving Cactus or some special breed of its own.