Schlumbergera russelliana
Common name: Russell's cactus · Easter cactus ancestor · Christmas cactus parent
Schlumbergera russelliana is an epiphytic cactus found only in a small area of the coastal mountains of Rio de Janeiro state in southeastern Brazil. It forms pendulous chains of flattened, rounded-toothed stem segments and bears pink to purplish, radially symmetric flowers in spring in its native habitat. Though rarely grown in pure form today, it is famous as one parent of the popular Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera × buckleyi).
Care summary
Sun
Bright filtered light; protect from direct sun
Water
Keep evenly moist; slight drying between waterings
Soil
Rich, humusy, sharply draining epiphyte mix
Hardiness
Zones 10–11
Mature height
About 30–60 cm (1–2 ft)
Pet safe
Yes; non-toxic to cats and dogs
Difficulty
Moderate
Propagation
Stem segment cuttings root easily: twist or cut off a piece of two to three joined segments, let the end callus for a day or two, then insert it into moist, free-draining epiphyte mix and keep warm and lightly humid until rooted.
Fun facts
- It was introduced to Europe in the 1830s, where it became one half of the famous Christmas cactus hybrid.
- In the wild it is restricted to a narrow strip of Brazil's Atlantic Forest, a heavily threatened ecosystem.
- Its flowers are held more horizontally and are more radially symmetric than those of S. truncata.
- It can grow perched on mossy tree branches or on shaded rock faces in misty mountain forests.