Think of Easter lilies or Christmas cactus. There are a number of different cactus species sold as "Christmas cactus". Pendulous stems of Christmas cactus make it a great choice for hanging baskets. The earliest English common name was "Christmas cactus". One of the notable genera he named was "Schlumbergera" which contains the well-known Christmas Cactus. Schlumbergera truncata, the false Christmas cactus, is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. Christmas cactus, also known as orchid cactus, often blooms around Christmas time. Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, the desert Christmas cactus, desert Christmas cholla, or tasajillo, is a cactus. Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus.