Easter Cactus

Rhipsalidopsis gaertneriAlso known as: Spring Cactus, Whitsun Cactus

The Easter Cactus is a stunning spring-blooming cousin of the Christmas Cactus, with star-shaped flowers that appear around Easter. Native to Brazilian cloud forests, it features rounded, scalloped stem segments and produces vibrant blooms in various colors. It's an epiphytic cactus requiring different care than desert varieties.

Moderate Care

Bright Indirect Light

Perennial

Quick Care Summary

Light
Bright Indirect Light

Temperature Range
55-75°F (13-24°C)

Ideal Temp
65°F (18°C)

Pet Safe

This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs. While it's safe to have around pets, ingestion of any plant material may still cause mild stomach upset.

Seasonal Care Schedule

Adjust your care routine based on the season for optimal plant health.

Watering Schedule

Season	Schedule
Spring	Every 7-10 days, keep soil evenly moist during bloom
Summer	Every 5-7 days
Fall	Every 10-14 days, reduce to prepare for dormancy
Winter	Every 14 days, keep drier during rest period

More sensitive to drought than Christmas Cactus. Never let dry out completely.

Misting Schedule

Season	Schedule
Spring	2-3 times per week during bloom
Summer	2-3 times per week
Fall	Weekly
Winter	Weekly

Loves humidity - consider a pebble tray or humidifier.

Fertilizing Schedule

Season	Schedule
Spring	Every 2 weeks with bloom fertilizer during flowering
Summer	Monthly with balanced fertilizer
Fall	Stop in October
Winter	No fertilizing during dormancy

High phosphorus fertilizer encourages more blooms.

Pruning

Frequency: After flowering

Best Season: Late spring

Remove 1-2 segments per branch to encourage bushier growth. Use clean scissors.

Repotting

Frequency: Every 2-3 years

Best Season: After blooming in late spring

Use epiphytic orchid mix or well-draining potting soil with perlite.

Flowering

Season
March through May

Color
Red, pink, orange, white, or lavender

Star-shaped flowers with pointed petals bloom from segment tips. Each bloom lasts several days.

Propagation Methods

Stem cuttings of 2-3 segments
Let callous 1-2 days before planting
Root in moist perlite or soil mix

Common Problems

Bud drop: Temperature fluctuations or moving the plant
Shriveled segments: Underwatering or root problems
No blooms: Needs 8-10 weeks of short days and cool nights (50-55F/10-13C)
Yellow segments: Overwatering or too much direct sun

Pro Tips

Provide cool nights (50-55F/10-13C) starting in January for spring blooms
Don't confuse with Christmas Cactus - Easter Cactus has rounded segment edges
Safe for pets - non-toxic to cats and dogs
Keep in same location once buds appear to prevent dropping

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