Christmas Cactus

Caring for Christmas Cactus

Blooming again since Christmas

Patricia Mosey

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Christmas Cacti are easy to grow. When they bloom, they produce beautiful colors of pink or lilac. They have flatted leaves with rounded teeth on the margins.

Despite their name, Christmas cacti are not desert cacti. Their natural habit is one of an epiphyte living in tree branches in the rain forest of Brazil!

Also, note that there are several types of Holiday Cacti: Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. They bloom closest to the holiday of their name. That said, many florists do not know the difference. If you find your Christmas cactus blooming near Thanksgiving, guess what?

Planting

Christmas cacti grow in most container soils. Ensure the soil drains well and your pots have drainage holes.

Plants should be kept in bright, indirect light.

A daytime temperature of 70 degrees F and an evening temperature of 60 to 65 degrees F is preferred.

In the summer, Christmas cacti can be placed in a shady spot in the garden or in an unheated porch until temperatures get below 50 degrees.

Care

From spring through early fall, feed every 2 weeks with a complete houseplant fertilizer. During the fall and winter feed the cactus monthly.
Allow soil to almost dry between waterings. If the stems look shriveled, it is an indication of too little watering. Watering is especially important during flowering.
Once flowers fade, continue to grow the plant as a houseplant.
Prune plants in June to encourage branching and more flowers. Simply cut off a few sections of each stem. Of you wish, root the cut-off pieces in moist vermiculite to make more plants.
If your cactus is not blooming, it may due to amount of daylight or temperature. Flowers will only form when the temperature is between a cool 50 to 55 degrees F.
Nights need to be at least 14 hours long and daylight periods are between 8 to 10 hours for 6 weeks—for six weeks. If you have strong indoor lighting, you may need to cover your cacti at night.
If the cacti sheds its buds in a winter, it will bloom the following year.

Pests/Diseases

If your Christmas Cacti is exposed to any type of stress, the plant will drop its blossoms. This could be related to amount of light, or a sudden change in temperature, as discussed in above plant care section. Also, ensure that your soil doesn’t get too dry.

The plant may be susceptible to mealy bugs and, if over-watered, root rot. If you have problems, cut out infected areas and repot in clean soil.

Recommended Varieties

Thanksgiving cactus or holiday cactus.

Wit & Wisdom

When the buds of a Christmas cactus look as if they’re about to open, make sure you water the plant regularly and keep it cool.
Late spring is the best time to propagate cuttings because most cacti emerge from their winter rest and initiate new growth.

Photo: Catherine Boeckmann. My mother-in-law’s giant Christmas Cactus in bloom.

Reader Comments

christmas cactus

Why are the leaves turning red.

Root rot

My aunt gave me a Christmas cactus and I can't seem to keep it happy. I think I've watered it too much because the roots are rotting and it's breaking off. Any way to save it?

christmas cactus

you recommend feeding more often than most writers but I am inclined to agree with you they need plenty of nutrients I have recently blogged about this
RogerBrook (no dig gardener)

Botanical Name:

Schlumbergera hybrids

Plant Type:

Houseplant

Sun Exposure:

Part Sun

Flower Color:

Pink

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Christmas Cactus

Caring for Christmas Cactus

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