The Easter Cactus – easy care and colourful

The Easter cactus (botanical name: Hatiora × graeseri) flowers around Easter, which is no surprise. After all, that is when it gets its name. Here some facts about the plant:

• Although it is a cactus, the Easter cactus is not native to dry areas, but to the humid rainforests of Brazil. There it grows as an epiphyte on trees and rocks, enjoying the high humidity and partial shade of the surrounding trees. 
• The Easter cactus grows to about 15 to 30 centimetres high and 30 centimetres wide. As it ages, it grows to form a slight overhang.
• As the name suggests, the main flowering period is around Easter, between March and May. Depending on the variety, the star-shaped flowers can be bright red, orange, pink, salmon, white or even purple. There are even multi-coloured varieties.
• As a cactus, it is a hardy plant that does not die quickly, but it will not flower if not cared for. This means that you have a chance of flowering again the following year if you follow a few points of care.
• Even though the Easter cactus is a cactus, it is not a fan of blazing sun and drought. If you keep a few things in mind when caring for it, it will reward you with its flowers every year.

Location – Bright and mostly warm

Light

It’s best to place your Easter Cactus in a bright location with some morning or evening sun. It doesn’t like direct midday sun. An east or west facing window is ideal. A south-facing window is acceptable for the cactus if a curtain protects it from direct sunlight or if it is placed some distance from the window. 

In summer, the Easter cactus can be left outside. It should be protected, for example, against the wall of a house and should not be exposed to the midday sun. 

Temperature

The Easter cactus likes warmth and is most comfortable in temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. It only needs cool temperatures of around 10 degrees during the dormant period before it starts to flower. From January to February it is best to place it in an unheated stairwell, a cool bedroom or a cool but light basement room.

Humidity

As a native of the rainforest, the Easter cactus needs a high humidity of 50 to 60 per cent. Therefore, mist the plant regularly with water or place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. The pebbles will keep the pot out of the water and prevent stagnant water. 

The right substrate

The Easter cactus grows best in special cactus soil. If you use potting soil, mix in sand to make the soil permeable and allow water to drain well. 

Watering

During the growing season, from spring to autumn, the Easter Cactus thrives on regular watering. The soil can dry out slightly but should never be allowed to dry out completely. It will not tolerate standing water, so remove excess water from the saucer.

If possible, use water with a low lime content, such as rainwater.

Fertilising

From March to August, you can feed your cactus a half-strength cactus food or regular liquid fertiliser every two to four weeks. This will give it everything it needs for leaf and bud formation.

How to make your Easter cactus flower every year

To make your Easter cactus flower regularly, it is important to respect its resting periods. 

The Easter cactus has two dormant periods. The first is after flowering and lasts about three to four weeks. During this time the plant needs less water and no fertiliser. 

The second is before flowering. During this time the cactus should be kept in a cooler place, ideally in an unheated stairwell or a cool bedroom. It should not be kept in the dark. The plant should be watered just enough to prevent the leaves from shriveling. When the first buds appear, the Easter cactus can be moved back to a warmer location. 

Easter cactus or Christmas cactus? 

The two are often confused, but there are some differences: 

• Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) flowers in winter, while Easter cactus flowers in spring.
• Leaves: The leaves of the Easter cactus are rather round and soft, while those of the Christmas cactus are serrated.
• Care: Both like similar conditions, but the Easter cactus is a little more sensitive, especially to draughts and temperature changes.