In this article, we will compare and contrast the Christmas cactus with the Thanksgiving cactus so that you can fully understand the differences between them. We will go over their physical descriptions as well as how they prefer to grow and where they originated from. Let’s get started and learn all about these seasonal cacti varieties now!
Comparing Christmas Cactus vs Thanksgiving Cactus
Key Differences Between Christmas Cactus vs Thanksgiving Cactus
There are a few key differences between Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti. For example, Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti belong to different plant classification groups from one another. The Christmas cactus has leaves with rounded edges compared to the pointed edges of Thanksgiving cactus leaves. Finally, the Christmas cactus blooms slightly later in the year compared to the Thanksgiving cactus. Let’s go over all of these differences in more detail now.
Christmas Cactus vs Thanksgiving Cactus: Classification
It can be confusing, understanding how plants are classified, particularly when comparing a Christmas cactus with a Thanksgiving cactus. However, these two cacti varieties belong to different groups from each other, which gives them some distinct trait differences. For example, the Christmas cactus is from the Buckleyi group of cacti, while Thanksgiving cacti are from the Truncata group of cacti.
Christmas Cactus vs Thanksgiving Cactus: Description
Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti look strikingly similar to one another, which makes them difficult to tell apart. However, the main difference between these two cactus varieties lies in the shape of their leaves. For example, Christmas cacti have square or rectangular shaped leaves with distinctly rounded edges, while Thanksgiving cacti have toothed or sharper edges to their leaves by comparison. Otherwise, these cacti are fairly interchangeable in terms of how they look and grow. They both reach similar heights, produce fairly symmetrical blooms at the ends of each of their leaf segments, and their leaves are equally deep green. The trumpet-shaped blooms found on both Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti are beautiful and come in a variety of colors, much like the closely related Easter cactus!
Christmas Cactus vs Thanksgiving Cactus: Uses
Both Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti are used in a similar fashion. They both make ideal houseplants and gifts, especially when you consider the time of year in which they both bloom. Thanksgiving cacti and Christmas cacti have a fairly easy level of care, which means you won’t be saddling anyone with a fussy houseplant as a gift during the busy holiday season!
Christmas Cactus vs Thanksgiving Cactus: Origin and How to Grow
Given that they are similar and just about every other way, there are no real differences between Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti in terms of their plant origins and how they grow best. For example, Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti originated in Brazil, and native plants still grow there amongst rocks and sandy soil. In terms of how to best take care of your Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus, make sure to not overwater, and give them a good soil mixture that isn’t just hard and compacted dirt. Most cacti varieties, particularly the holiday cacti, need a certain amount of time in darkness and colder climates in order to produce their beautiful flowers. The Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus both need roughly four to six weeks of consistent darkness and colder than average temperatures in order to bloom, but it’s always worth it to see their fantastic flowers!
Christmas Cactus vs Thanksgiving Cactus: Blooming Time of Year
Speaking of blooms, Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti have slightly different times of year in which they bloom. For example, the Thanksgiving cactus typically blooms in late fall, around Thanksgiving, while the Christmas cactus blooms roughly a month later, closer to Christmas. This is why they have these colloquial names, reminding you when your cactus is likely to produce its beautiful flowers!
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