Caroline Christmas Cactus

Caroline Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata 'Caroline') forms a fountain shaped clump of arching stems, made of oval segments joined in a chain, about 40cm high and wide. In winter each stem tip carries shiny buds that unfurl into curled, ribbon like flowers, and Caroline's are hot pink shading to white at the centre. It is not a true cactus but more of a succulent, and it lives for many years.

Why you'll love it

• Hot pink to white flowers. The ribbon like blooms shade from hot pink at the edges to white at the centre each winter.
• A graceful, arching shape. The chain of oval segments arches into a fountain, which looks as good in a hanging basket as on a table.
• Long lived. These plants live a very long time, and older specimens are spectacular in full bloom.
• Not toxic to pets. Christmas cactus is not considered toxic to cats and dogs, so it is a safer choice for a home with animals.
• Drought tolerant. It copes with dry spells, and it wants the soil to dry between waterings.

Where it works best

Indoors and patios. A bright spot out of direct sun suits it, such as a covered patio or a room with good light.

Hanging baskets and tall pots. Plant one to a 300mm basket or tall pot, so the arching stems can cascade over the sides.

Trees in tropical gardens. In frost free gardens it can be secured into a tree and grown like a bromeliad, which is how it grows in the wild.

Growing Caroline Christmas Cactus in Australia

Position and climate. Good light, but out of direct sun. It is frost tender and needs to be kept above 10C, so outdoors it belongs in frost free tropical and subtropical gardens. In cooler places, grow it indoors or on a sheltered, covered patio and bring it in before the cold.

Soil. Use a gritty, free draining compost mix or very free draining soil. Soggy soil is its enemy.

Water and feed. Grow it as you would a fern or bromeliad. Water when the soil becomes dry, and a little more in hot weather. Wrinkling leaves mean the plant is dry or too hot. After flowering give it a rest in cooler conditions (below 18C) with less water, then increase watering and start feeding with a liquid fertiliser as growth resumes. It enjoys a mist over the leaves.

Pruning. Little is needed. Remove any damaged or shrivelled segments to keep the clump tidy.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Caroline Christmas Cactus as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back. A tube plant is small, and it takes some seasons to build a full fountain of stems.

Plants travel upright and settle fast. Pot up soon after delivery in a gritty mix, and keep it in bright light out of direct sun.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Indoor flowering plants
• Pet friendly indoor plants
• Plants that suit pots and baskets
• Indoor plant tips for beginners

Common questions

Is a Christmas cactus a real cactus?

Not quite. It is more like a succulent, and it grows on trees in the wild, so it likes a gritty mix and good light but not direct sun.

Why are the leaves wrinkling?

Wrinkled leaves mean the plant is either dry or too hot. Check the soil, and move the plant somewhere cooler if the weather is hot.

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Christmas cactus is not considered toxic to cats and dogs, though chewing a lot of any plant can upset a stomach.