How to Grow Noah's Happiness
Wikimedia Commons
Noah's Happiness
Schlumbergera truncata × Selenicereus anthonyanus hybrid
succulentNoah's Happiness is a hybrid Christmas cactus known for its vibrant magenta-pink flowers that bloom in late fall and winter. This trailing succulent is prized as a houseplant for its dependable flowering, attractive foliage, and low-maintenance care requirements. The plant produces segmented stems with reddish edges and displays stunning blooms that last several weeks.
When should you plant Noah's Happiness in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Noah's Happiness timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Noah's Happiness
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Noah's Happiness
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Noah's Happiness dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Best as a houseplant year-round; can be grown outdoors in zones 10b-12
Sign up free to see if Noah's Happiness grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Noah's Happiness timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-6 weeksRecently potted cuttings or young plants with minimal root development and small new segments forming.
Keep soil lightly moist but not wet. Provide bright, indirect light. Avoid fertilizing until roots are established (4-6 weeks).
Vegetative Growth
Spring and Summer, 4-5 monthsPlant develops multiple trailing stems with numerous segmented leaves, foliage becomes fuller and more vigorous.
Water when top soil is dry. Apply balanced or diluted succulent fertilizer monthly during spring and summer. Pinch back stem tips to encourage bushier growth.
Pre-flowering
September-October, 4-6 weeksStem segments become more prominent; buds begin forming at segment tips. Foliage may show reddish coloring at edges.
Reduce watering slightly and provide cool temperatures (55-65°F nights) and shorter daylight (12 hours) for 2-3 weeks to trigger blooming.
Flowering
November-January, 4-8 weeksMagenta-pink flowers with prominent stamens bloom profusely at segment tips; blooms last 2-3 days but flowers emerge in succession over weeks.
Maintain consistent moisture during blooming. Avoid moving plant or changing conditions. Keep temperatures around 65-75°F. Do not fertilize during bloom.
Post-flowering Rest
January-March, 8-10 weeksFlowers fade and fall; plant enters dormancy with minimal growth. Foliage remains attractive year-round.
Reduce watering to minimal amounts. Keep cool (50-60°F if possible). Resume regular care in spring as new growth appears.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate infected plant; check regularly for reinfestation
-
Remove manually with cotton swab and rubbing alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray
-
Increase humidity; spray foliage with water; use miticide if severe
-
Allow soil to dry between waterings; use sticky traps; apply mosquito bits or sand topdressing
Uses
Decorative Houseplant
HouseholdNoah's Happiness is a stunning indoor plant prized for its vibrant magenta flowers and cascading growth habit. Perfect for hanging baskets, shelves, and windowsills, it brings reliable winter color when many plants are dormant. [source]
Hummingbird Nectar
WildlifeWhen grown outdoors or near windows, the abundant tubular magenta flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinating insects seeking nectar. [source]
Plant Propagation and Gifting
CraftEasy-to-propagate from leaf segments, making Noah's Happiness an excellent choice for sharing with gardening friends and family. Cuttings root readily and develop into flowering plants within 2-3 years. [source]
Low-Maintenance Seasonal Décor
HouseholdRequiring minimal care compared to other flowering houseplants, Noah's Happiness reliably produces blooms year after year with basic watering and bright light, making it ideal for busy plant parents. [source]
Harvest Tips
Not harvested for food. For propagation: in spring or summer, gently twist off 2-3 segment stems and allow to callus for 2-3 days before planting in moist succulent soil. Blooms can be enjoyed indoors where they last longer due to stable indoor conditions.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Noah's Happiness is a hybrid cultivar developed from crosses between Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) and other Schlumbergera species, combining the best traits of its parent plants for improved flowering.
- 🌱 Unlike true cacti, Christmas cacti and their hybrids like Noah's Happiness are tropical epiphytes from Central and South American rainforests, naturally growing on trees in partial shade rather than in desert conditions.
- 🌱 The dramatic shift in blooming occurs when the plant senses shorter days and cooler temperatures; providing a 2-3 week cool period (50-60°F nights with 12-hour daylight) nearly guarantees spectacular flowering.
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Noah's Happiness planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Noah's Happiness seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Noah's Happiness timeline →