Christmas cactus is the holiday bloomer that earns its keep for decades, with arching, segmented stems that spill over the pot and flowers in time for the season. It's a rainforest cactus, not a desert one, so it likes a bit more moisture and humidity than its name suggests.

Give it bright, indirect light and water when the top inch of soil is dry, easing off in fall. Cool nights and long, dark evenings in autumn are what set the buds, so keep it out of rooms lit late at night while it's budding up.