{"product_id":"caroline-christmas-cactus-schlumbergera-truncata-caroline","title":"Caroline Christmas Cactus - Schlumbergera truncata 'Caroline'","description":"\u003cp\u003eCaroline Christmas Cactus (\u003cem\u003eSchlumbergera truncata\u003c\/em\u003e '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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHot pink to white flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e The ribbon like blooms shade from hot pink at the edges to white at the centre each winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA graceful, arching shape.\u003c\/strong\u003e The chain of oval segments arches into a fountain, which looks as good in a hanging basket as on a table.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong lived.\u003c\/strong\u003e These plants live a very long time, and older specimens are spectacular in full bloom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot toxic to pets.\u003c\/strong\u003e Christmas cactus is not considered toxic to cats and dogs, so it is a safer choice for a home with animals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It copes with dry spells, and it wants the soil to dry between waterings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndoors and patios.\u003c\/strong\u003e A bright spot out of direct sun suits it, such as a covered patio or a room with good light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHanging baskets and tall pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant one to a 300mm basket or tall pot, so the arching stems can cascade over the sides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrees in tropical gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e In frost free gardens it can be secured into a tree and grown like a bromeliad, which is how it grows in the wild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Caroline Christmas Cactus in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a gritty, free draining compost mix or very free draining soil. Soggy soil is its enemy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Little is needed. Remove any damaged or shrivelled segments to keep the clump tidy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants travel upright and settle fast. Pot up soon after delivery in a gritty mix, and keep it in bright light out of direct sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indoor-flowering-plants\"\u003eIndoor flowering plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/pet-friendly-indoor-plants\"\u003ePet friendly indoor plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ePlants that suit pots and baskets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/indoor-plant-tips-for-beginners\"\u003eIndoor plant tips for beginners\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs a Christmas cactus a real cactus?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the leaves wrinkling?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWrinkled leaves mean the plant is either dry or too hot. Check the soil, and move the plant somewhere cooler if the weather is hot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for cats and dogs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChristmas cactus is not considered toxic to cats and dogs, though chewing a lot of any plant can upset a stomach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790879293759,"sku":"SCH-TRU-CAROLI-tube","price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/caroline-christmas-cactus-schlumbergera-truncata-caroline.jpg?v=1792211012","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/caroline-christmas-cactus-schlumbergera-truncata-caroline","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}