Freya Christmas Cactus

Freya Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata 'Freya') is the soft-coloured one, with peach-apricot flowers in place of the usual hot pinks and reds. It forms a fountain of arching, jointed stems about 40cm tall and wide, and the ribbon-like blooms open at the stem tips through winter. Treat it as a long-lived houseplant, because a happy clump keeps improving for decades.

Why you'll love it

• A softer colour. Peach-apricot flowers sit comfortably with timber, white walls and terracotta, where a hot pink can clash.
• Winter colour when you need it. Buds form at the stem tips and open through the cold months, long after summer flowers have finished.
• It ages well. Older plants are spectacular in full bloom, so a young Freya is a long game that pays off.
• Easy on your attention. Drought tolerant, with wrinkled leaves as an honest signal that it needs a drink.
• Not toxic to pets. Christmas cactus is not toxic to cats or dogs.

Where it works best

Living rooms and bedrooms. Set it beside a bright window with good light and no direct sun. The peach flowers glow in soft, indirect light.

Tall pots and plant stands. The arching stems make a rounded fountain, so raising the pot puts the flowers at eye level.

Hanging baskets under cover. In frost-free climates a basket on a verandah suits it, in dappled light. Plant three tubes together in a 20cm basket for a full look sooner.

Growing Freya Christmas Cactus in Australia

Position and climate. Bright but not direct light. It is frost tender and needs to stay above 10°C, so tropical, subtropical and sheltered warm temperate gardens can keep it outdoors under cover. In cooler or frosty districts it belongs indoors.

Soil. A gritty, free-draining compost mix. Wet roots are the main hazard, so use a pot with drainage holes and tip out any water in the saucer.

Water and feed. Water once the mix has dried, a little more often in hot weather, and mist the leaves now and then. After flowering, give it a cooler rest below 18°C with less water. When temperatures climb, water more and feed with a liquid fertiliser as new growth starts.

Pruning. No routine pruning. Twisting off a segment or two after flowering encourages branching, and the pieces root readily if you want a spare plant.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Freya Christmas Cactus as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small and fresh, not in flower, and takes a year or two to fill out into the full fountain. Pot it into a gritty mix, give it good light away from direct sun and water only when the mix is dry.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. If the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page will email you the day it returns.

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
• Plants that thrive in pots
• Pet friendly indoor plants
• Indoor plant tips for beginners

Common questions

How big does it get?

About 40cm high and wide in a pot. Very old plants can spread up to 2 metres across, so a clump that has been looked after for decades can become a real centrepiece.

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Yes, Christmas cactus is not toxic to cats or dogs. A chewed stem is unlikely to do harm, though it will not do the plant any good either.

What happens if it gets too much sun?

Strong direct sun scorches the segments, and wrinkled leaves can mean it is too hot as well as too dry. Move it into bright, indirect light and check the mix before you water.