The Christmas cactus, also known as Schlumbergera, is a popular holiday plant known for its beautiful flowers that bloom around Christmas time. The plant's ability to time its blooms so precisely is due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors. The Christmas cactus is a tropical plant, meaning it needs a warm, humid environment to thrive. When the plant is exposed to shorter days and cooler temperatures, it triggers a chemical reaction in its cells that tells it to start producing flowers.