Olga Christmas Cactus

Olga Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata 'Olga') is the warm-toned one, with flowers in shades of ruby, rose and coral red. The plant is a fountain of arching, jointed stems about 40cm high and wide, and the curled, ribbon-like blooms open at the tips through winter. It is easy to keep and slow to wear out.

Why you'll love it

• Warm, glowing colour. Ruby, rose and coral shades blend on the one flower, so the colour looks richer than a flat red.
• Blooms in the cold months. Shiny buds unfurl into ribbon-like flowers, giving you colour through winter.
• Long lived. Old clumps in full flower are something to see, and Olga is one to keep and pass on.
• Honest about its needs. Wrinkled leaves tell you the plant is dry or too hot, and a missed watering is not a disaster.
• Pet friendly. Christmas cactus is not toxic to cats or dogs.

Where it works best

Verandahs and covered patios. In frost-free climates a basket of Olga under cover brings strong colour to winter seating. Keep it in dappled light, out of direct sun.

Indoor pots on a stand. A tall pot lifts the arching stems so the flowers sit at eye level. A plain pot lets the coral red do the talking.

In the fork of a tree. In tropical gardens it can be secured into a tree and grown like a bromeliad or bird's nest fern, as it grows in the wild.

Growing Olga Christmas Cactus in Australia

Position and climate. Good light, out of direct sun. Olga is frost tender and must stay above 10°C. Tropical, subtropical and sheltered warm temperate gardens can grow it outside under cover. Everywhere else it is a houseplant, and a very good one.

Soil. A gritty compost mix or very free-draining soil. It does not tolerate soggy ground, so use a pot with plenty of drainage.

Water and feed. Water when the mix dries out, a little more often in hot weather, with a light mist over the leaves. After flowering it prefers a cooler rest below 18°C with less water. As the weather warms, water more and feed with a liquid fertiliser while new growth comes.

Pruning. No annual pruning. Twist off a few segments after flowering to keep the plant branching and to make cuttings.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Olga Christmas Cactus as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small and not in flower, so allow a year or two for the clump to build. Pot it into a free-draining mix and let it settle in bright, indirect light.

Tube stock is grown for us and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

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

• More succulents for pots and baskets
• Flowering plants for indoors
• Plants for balconies and patios
• How to repot a plant like a pro

Common questions

How often should I water it?

Water when the mix has dried, a little more often in hot weather and less during its cooler rest after flowering. If the leaves wrinkle, check whether it is too dry or too hot before you water.

Can I grow it in a hanging basket?

Yes, it is one of the best plants for one. The arching stems hang over the edge, and the flowers open at the tips where you can see them. Keep it in bright, indirect light and out of frost.

Is it really a cactus?

Not in the desert sense. It is more like a succulent, and in the wild it grows like a bromeliad or bird's nest fern, so it likes a gritty, airy mix rather than sand and baking sun.