Difference Between Christmas Cactus And Thanksgiving Cactus

Late fall is the time of bloom of thanksgiving cactus while christmas cactus blooms a month later.

Difference between christmas cactus and thanksgiving cactus. However in the former the margins of the stem joints are crenated they have rounded indentations whereas in the latter the margins are sharply saw toothed. From the britannica online christmas cactus the christmas cactus is often confused with the thanksgiving cactus also called crab cactus s. Truncata or epiphyllum truncatum. What is the difference between christmas and thanksgiving cacti.

The scientific name of the christmas cactus is schlumbergera bridgesii while the scientific name of the thanksgiving cactus is schlumbergera truncata. Both cacti bloom around the holidays hence the name association. The best way to tell the difference between thanksgiving and christmas cacti is to take a close look at the leaves. Christmas cactus flowers bloom around december and thanksgiving cactus flowers bloom in november.

However there are some other differences that only a person who has both varieties at home would be able to tell.