The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Cactus Plants Care

With their vibrant blooms and unique foliage, Christmas cacti bring a touch of beauty and cheer to our homes during the holiday season. But to keep these stunning plants thriving, proper care is essential. Let’s dive into all the tips and tricks you need to know for maintaining healthy and blooming Christmas cactus.

Covered In This Article:

• What soil does a Christmas cactus need?
• How much light does a Christmas cactus need?
• Temperature Conditions (especially to encourage blooms) on Christmas Cactus
• How often do you water a Christmas cactus?
• How often do you fertilization a Christmas Cactus?
• Christmas cactus plant cuttings

Understanding the different types of Christmas cactus

Christmas cacti, known scientifically as Schlumbergera, are a popular houseplants, especially during the holidays. They are native to the cloud forests of Brazil, where they grow in the shade of taller plants. There are several species and hybrids of Christmas cacti, each with unique characteristics that can influence their care requirements. The most common types include the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgessii), and the Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri).

Differences in the 3 Different Epiphytes:

The Thanksgiving cactus is often recognized by its pointed leaf segments. This species typically blooms in late November to early December, aligning with the Thanksgiving holiday. Its flowers can be bright pink, red, salmon, purple, or white, and they tend to be more tubular in shape. The Thanksgiving cactus requires slightly different care, particularly in terms of light and temperature.

In contrast, the Christmas cactus, with its more rounded leaf segments, usually produces blooms in shades of pink, red, purple, or white during December. This variety tolerates lower light levels.

Lastly, the Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis) blooms in spring, typically showcasing vibrant pink or purple flowers. Its care is somewhat similar to that of the Christmas cactus, but it requires bright indirect light. Dappled sunlight is a great way to ensure there is enough light for this plant.

When picking a place for any of these to live in your home, remember that in its native landscape it lives in the understory of trees.

What Soil Does A Christmas Cactus Need?

Christmas cactus plants thrive in well-draining soil. You need to ensure that the pots you choose have drainage holes. It is best to use a soil blend that retains some moisture while allowing excess water to escape. This type of soil media helps to prevent root rot. A potting soil that is high in organic material is best for planting.

How Often Do You Water A Christmas Cactus?

Watering is one of the most critical aspects of Christmas cactus care, as these plants prefer a specific moisture level. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is a common issue that can quickly kill the plant. Conversely, underwatering can cause stress and result in drooping leaves. During flower production underwatering can cause flowers to fall off.

During the growing season, which lasts from spring through early fall, your Christmas cactus needs to stay evenly moist. Be careful not to let your plant dry out. This is when the plant is actively growing and needs more moisture.

However, before flowering, in the fall, the plant will enter dormancy and watering needs to be decreased. Usually, when most plants flower they are actively in the growing stage but it is opposite for the Christmas cactus. In this period, it’s essential to cut back and only water when the soil starts to feel dry to the touch.

Humidity

Christmas cactus naturally thrive in humid environments, so it’s beneficial to mimic these conditions at home. If your indoor air is particularly dry, especially during winter, consider placing a humidifier nearby or grouping your cacti with other plants to create a microclimate.

Alternatively, you can place a shallow tray filled with water and pebbles beneath your plant. Doing this can help increase humidity levels mimicking what happens in its nature environment.

How Much Light Does A Christmas Cactus Need?

Finding the right lighting conditions can be tricky for Christmas cactus. Unlike many succulents that prefer bright, direct sunlight, Christmas cacti thrive in bright but indirect light. Too much direct sun can scorch their leaves. If the natural light conditions in your home are insufficient, consider supplementing with grow lights to ensure your plant receives adequate light.

Optimal Temperature For Christmas Cactus

During April through late October it prefers temperatures between 70-80 degrees during the day. At night, they can tolerate even cooler conditions, which can help trigger blooming in the fall. Avoid placing your Christmas cactus near drafts, heating vents, or air conditioning units. Sudden temperature fluctuations can cause stress and hinder growth.

During the blooming period in the fall, many growers recommend slightly lowering the temperature to encourage flower formation. Optimum temperatures to encourage flowering of Christmas cactus is 55 degrees. Once buds start to form, maintain stable temperatures to ensure the blooms develop properly.

How Often Do You Fertilize A Christmas Cactus?

Begin fertilizing your Christmas cactus in early spring all the way to early fall. A balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength can be applied every four to six weeks during this period.

However, it’s crucial to reduce or stop fertilization in the fall and into winter when the plant enters dormancy.

When Do I Repot My Christmas Cactus

Repotting your Christmas cactus is typically done every two to three years. The best time to repot is just after the flowering period, usually in late winter or early spring. When repotting, select a container that is one size larger than the current pot and ensure that it has adequate drainage holes. Use a fresh, well-draining potting mix to provide a healthy environment for root growth.

During the repotting process, handle the roots gently to minimize stress. Inspect for any signs of rot or disease and prune away any unhealthy roots before placing the plant in its new pot.

Problems With Christmas Cactus

One of the most common problems is root rot, typically caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Symptoms include yellowing leaves, mushy stems, and a general wilting appearance. To address this issue, you will need to allow the soil to dry out before watering again and to ensure your pot has adequate drainage. If root rot is severe, you may need to repot the plant in fresh, dry soil to save it.

Another common issue is the presence of pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. These pests can weaken your Christmas cactus and lead to poor health if left untreated. Regularly inspect your plant for any signs of infestation. To get rid of these pests, you can wipe the insects off with a soft cloth or you can use insecticidal soap. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and apply the treatment in the evening to avoid leaf burn during the day.

Additionally, environmental stresses such as temperature extremes and inadequate light can lead to problems. If your Christmas cactus is not blooming, it may be due to insufficient light or irregular watering. Be sure to monitor the conditions of your plant’s health. By being proactive and addressing these common issues promptly, you can keep your Christmas cactus thriving and beautiful.

Another problem that is not addressed often is moving your Christmas cactus to new locations. Moving Christmas cactus to new locations can send the plant into shock. Christmas cactus do not like to be moved around, especially during the blooming season. Blooms or buds could potentially fall off if moved to another location.

Christmas Cactus Plant Cuttings

The most common method of propagation is through stem cuttings. To begin, select a healthy segment of the plant, ideally one with three to five joints. Using a clean, sharp knife or scissors, carefully cut the stem just below a joint. Allow the cutting to dry for a few hours or overnight, which helps to form a callus and reduces the risk of rot. You can also dip the cutting in rooting hormone, then insert deep enough into barely moist soil mix. Rooting takes about two weeks.

Once the cutting has dried, fill a small pot with a well-draining soil mix. Make a small hole in the soil with your finger or a pencil and insert the cutting, burying it about an inch deep. Water the soil lightly, ensuring it is moist but not soggy. It’s important to maintain humidity around the cutting, so cover it with a plastic bag to create a humid environment.

After a few weeks, check for root development by gently tugging on the cutting. If you feel resistance, roots are forming. Once the cutting has established a strong root system, you can treat it like a mature Christmas cactus, providing the same care in terms of watering, light, and feeding.

How To Get A Christmas Cactus To Flower

Getting your Christmas cactus to flower takes a little bit of work and can be tricky. But, it is very doable. One of the key factors in encouraging blooming is ensuring that the plant experiences a period of dormancy.

Dormancy typically occurs in late fall, when the plant should be kept in cooler temperatures and watered less frequently. The dormancy period is when Christmas cactus begin to bloom. I know, it sounds like dormancy is when plants should not be blooming. However, for Christmas cactus it is their time to shine.

In the weeks leading up to the expected bloom time gradually decrease watering and fertilizing. Temperatures also plays an important role in blooming. You will need to have your plant placed in a location where it will receive around 55 degrees night temperature and 70-72 degrees day temperatures.

One of the most important factors in helping your Christmas cactus to bloom is preventing your plant from getting light at night. Christmas cactus need 6 weeks of no light during the night hours. They need about 8 hours of uninterrupted darkness. When I was taking one of my horticulture classes many years ago, I asked my professor about simulated light, such as a porch light. He said that even this type of light can disrupt the 8 hours of darkness that these plants need to produce blooms. You can drape a dark or black thick cloth over the plant to help simulate this dark process.

Once the buds begin to form, take care not to overwater. This can cause buds to drop prematurely.

Enjoying The Beauty Of Your Healthy Christmas Cactus

Ultimately, the reward of nurturing a Christmas cactus is the stunning display of blooms that can brighten your home and lift your spirits. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you can cultivate a flourishing collection of Christmas cacti that will bring cheer to your space for many seasons to come.