---
title: "Why do my Thanksgiving cactus turn thin and purple? They live in an…"
description: "Why do my Thanksgiving cactus turn thin and purple? They live in an east facing windowsill (just placed here for the picture)."
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/aGAK-4ayRFKntIfFxTpxsQ/WxS6weIZH9ixPMuEUiBuWB"
community: "Expert Level Greenspace"
author: "Sarah"
published: "2026-05-16T16:30:55.868287Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/B3dJzonCLFgUK1XP9rgpBcBI7vTYrJ2adt8IGZbQDrU/9caQT92QTcKQzsyr1-0QDA.webp?size=large"
---

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# Why do my Thanksgiving cactus turn thin and purple? They live in an…

_Posted by Sarah on 2026-05-16_

Why do my Thanksgiving cactus turn thin and purple? They live in an east facing windowsill (just placed here for the picture).

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/B3dJzonCLFgUK1XP9rgpBcBI7vTYrJ2adt8IGZbQDrU/9caQT92QTcKQzsyr1-0QDA.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### The leafy Angel commented on 2026-05-16

I would guess sun stress

### Waspinator commented on 2026-05-16

Turning purple like that is something plants do when they're getting too much light, but aren't getting sunburns yet. It's kind of like a tan. Move it to get less/less direct light. Also be aware that thanksgiving cacti are tropical succulents; in the wild, they'd grow in the mid level of forests and get diffused light

### FriendofVeg commented on 2026-05-20

The new growth often comes in pinkish and thin, and transitions to normal thick green bits over time.

#### FriendofVeg replied on 2026-05-20

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/yK11BiYfqVwCMHejsVfuI1LKT4d13qD_YfXYCCN4Xx4/3fR1u_NwSSCGVM_Z1LLMUg.webp?size=large)

#### FriendofVeg replied on 2026-05-20

That bump is the start of a new leaf.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/yK11BiYfqVwCMHejsVfuI1LKT4d13qD_YfXYCCN4Xx4/kPrOGWwDTr2GD-ITxOQEZA.webp?size=large)

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