🌸 The secret New Deal Franklin Roosevelt never told you about

• 🌸 Schlumbergera x New Deal is not your regular Christmas cactus. Big blooms, long history. This heirloom flowers from Thanksgiving to Easter and descends from a plant first sold on the very day Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected.
This variety actually vanished from the trade for decades. Its first known appearance was at a rare plant sale at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on November 8, 1932 - the exact day Franklin Roosevelt won the presidency and launched the famous New Deal. The name stuck, and so did the legend!
• 🌸 What makes New Deal so special? The blooms are huge - about an inch larger than standard holiday cactus flowers - and come in brilliant violet-pink and white. And the timing is even better. It sends up a full flush around Thanksgiving and Christmas, then wakes up again with a second wave closer to Easter. That’s why some people call it a Thanksgiving cactus, others call it a Christmas cactus, and many insist it’s an Easter cactus. The truth? It’s all three.
• 🌸 Despite its pedigree, New Deal is surprisingly easy to grow. It thrives in normal houseplant conditions, stays compact, and rewards even casual care with heavy, reliable blooming.
• 🌸 The plants available today come from true descendant cuttings of an original 1932 specimen that is still alive. This makes New Deal one of the rarest, most authentic holiday cactus cultivars you can own - a living slice of history and one of the most generous bloomers of the entire holiday season.

📚 Learn more:

• ✦ More about Schlumbergera from Plant Encyclopedia
• ✦ What is the most popular Christmas plant?
• ✦ An heirloom holiday cactus lost for decades: Thanksgiving-to-Easter bloomer

👀 Weird cactus looks like pasta with Dragon Fruit

• ➰ Epiphyllum guatemalense Monstrosa - Curly Locks or Orchid Cactus - is one of the most unusual jungle cacti you can grow. Instead of the usual flat cactus leaves, this one grows curly, looping stems that twist and spiral in every direction. It looks like a green waterfall of botanical noodles, perfect for a hanging basket or a high shelf where its wild shape can really show off.
• ➰Curly Locks is actually a natural mutation of a Guatemalan jungle cactus that grows high up in jungle trees, using its stems to absorb moisture and light from the air. Like many epiphytic cacti, it produces large, fragrant flowers that open at night and look strikingly similar to orchids. After blooming, it forms small, oval pink fruits that are edible and juicy - like tiny dragon fruits!
• ➰This plant is self-pollinating, so you don’t need insects or hand pollination to get fruit. It thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers to be a bit root-bound to trigger blooming. Just water moderately, let the soil dry slightly between waterings, and avoid moving it too often once it’s happy in its spot.
• ➰Epiphyllum Curly Locks is not your typical cactus - it’s a living sculpture, a conversation piece, and a fruiting wonder all in one.

📚 Learn more:

🌸 An heirloom holiday cactus lost for decades: Thanksgiving-to-Easter bloomer

• 🌸 Schlumbergera x New Deal is not your regular Christmas cactus. This is a true heirloom, a variety that vanished from the trade for decades and originally appeared at a rare plant sale at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden back on November 8, 1932 - the same day F.D.R. won the presidency and launched the famous New Deal. The name stuck, and so did the plant’s reputation!
• 🌸 What makes New Deal special? First, the flowers. They are big - about an inch larger than standard holiday cactus blooms – and show up in brilliant violet-pink and white. Second, this variety blooms twice a year, which is why people call it a Thanksgiving-to-Easter cactus. It usually opens a full flush around Thanksgiving and Christmas, then surprises you with a second wave toward spring.
• 🌸 Despite its pedigree, New Deal is easy to grow. It handles normal houseplant conditions, stays compact, and rewards even casual care with heavy blooming.
• 🌸 The plants available today come from 3rd-generation cuttings of an original specimen that's still alive, making this one of the rarest and most authentic holiday cactus cultivars you can add to your collection. A living piece of history - and one of the most generous bloomers for the holiday season!

😡 Why Red Cactus is better than Christmas Cactus

• ⛔️ Everybody wants this plant when they see it! Red Rhipsalis (Rhipsalis ramulosa) is a show-stopper with its arched, flat stems that cascade into a pendant display. When exposed to bright light, the stems turn a stunning violet-red, adding a vibrant pop of color to your space.
• ⛔️ Flat, ribbon-like stems deepen to violet-red in high light. Tiny flowers and ornamental shell-like berries line the edges for an extra decorative touch.
• ⛔️ Can be grown as a creeper or in hanging baskets for a dramatic display. In bright light, the leaves are bright red year around - this is why it is even better than popular Christmas Cactus that blooms only once a year!
• ⛔️ Thrives in full sun to semi-shade with moderate watering. Use well-drained soil to prevent root rot and pinch the tips to encourage fuller growth.
• ⛔️ Looking for a unique and low-maintenance plant? Whether indoors in a pot or outdoors as a garden accent, Red Rhipsalis brings a touch of the exotic with minimal effort. Its vibrant stems and easy care make it a must-have for any plant lover!