Extension Column

Part 1: Holiday cactus

Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus or Easter Cactus? Which is which? There are subtle differences in the margins of the leaves. One feature that stands out with Easter Cactus is their flowers represent more of a star shape — the petals are thinner and there are more of them.

Naturally, they bloom in the spring but start producing buds in February. Thanksgiving Cactus will bloom one month before Christmas Cactus.

Notice the Thanksgiving Cactus has broad segmented leaves with serrated edges on both sides — two-four that come to points. It is called the Claw Cactus or Crab Cl...