Discover the best spots to keep your Thanksgiving cactus for maximum holiday blooms and crack the code for pretty blooms every festive season.
The Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is a lovely holiday cactus known for its vibrant, cascading blooms that arrive just in time for the festive season. But getting it to bloom heavily requires a mastermind and a carefully considered strategy. Nothing that you cannot crack, but wait, that requires you to read this ahead.
Best Spots to Keep a Thanksgiving Cactus
1. A Bright and Indirectly Lit Window
The Thanksgiving cactus thrives in bright but indirect sunlight. Direct sun, and harsh afternoon rays from west-facing windows can scorch its leaves. Choose an east-facing window since morning sunlight is gentle and perfect for healthy growth.
Otherwise, a north-facing window provides bright, scattered light without the risk of burning. Bright and indirect light helps your cactus maintain energy levels for producing buds while keeping it juicy and vibrant.
2. Coolness and Stability
This plant requires cooler temperatures to initiate bud formation. Rooms that stay slightly cooler in the evening naturally encourage blooming.
A bedroom with a cooler nighttime temperature, or another room where the heater isn’t used as often. A shaded balcony with consistent cool air (avoid too low temperatures) suits the best. Avoid placing the cactus near heat sources like radiators or heaters since they can dry the plant out and prevent bud development.
A temperature range of 55–65°F (13–18°C) at night works wonders, so if you have a room that naturally stays this cool, that’s your cactus’s happy place.
3. High-Humidity
Thanksgiving cacti are natives of the tropical forests, so they enjoy humid surroundings. Dry air can cause buds to drop prematurely.
Try placing it near a kitchen window but away from stove heat or in the bathrooms with bright, filtered light. They look best on a pebble tray near a window. A humid environment keeps the plant hydrated and supports vibrant blooms.
4. Near but Not Too Close to the Windows
Thanksgiving cacti love consistent light and temperature. However, being too close to a window during peak sunlight or freezing weather can stress the plant.
Try putting them on a table or shelf a foot away from a bright window or on an elevated plant stand near an east or north-facing window. Make sure to give your plant exposure without exposing it to extremes.
5. Away From Drafts and Constant Movement
Drafts are the enemy of these cute and dainty cacti. Sudden temperature fluctuations can cause buds to drop before opening.
Avoid placing them around the doorways that open frequently, or around the AC vents or fans, or windows that leak cold air. Aim for a stable, calm environment helps your cactus focus its energy on producing long-lasting blooms.
6. A Silent Corner During Bud Formation
Once your cactus starts forming buds which is around early fall, moving it frequently can cause stress. Even small changes in light direction can lead to bud drop.
Choose a spot where you won’t need to relocate the plant for cleaning or movement and where pets and children won’t accidentally bump into it. Make sure the light remains consistent throughout the day. This stability is crucial for dense and healthy blooms.
Creating a cozy spot for your Thanksgiving cactus requires consistency, love, and patience to deal with any problems that come on this journey. If you are ready with these two things, you’ll see your Thanksgiving cactus blooming like never before. Let us know where you plan to keep your cacti next in the comments below.
