
A Thanksgiving cactus in full bloom.
How To Care For a Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, or Easter Cactus
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About a month ago I repotted my Christmas cactus… it was a very green & healthy looking plant. Now it’s droopy & a little pale. What can I do to get my plant back to looking healthy again?
Just received small start of cactus.
It is beginning to put out green at proper sections.
What should I be doing now September 24, 2024.
I have it on my covered porch. Zone 7. West TN
Light water, fertilize, ?
Thank you. God Bless
Hi Bea, Thanks for your note! It sounds like your cactus is doing great! You’ll want to take it inside soon. A daytime temperature of 70°F (21°C) and an evening temperature of 60-65°F (15-18°C) is preferred.
As we recommend in the article, you’ve got it exactly: water lightly and fertilize monthly. Sounds like you’ll be blooming for Christmas!
—The Editors
My Christmas cactus is dropping leaves/stems. It was on the back porch which was hot from our very hot summer. I moved it inside to about a 73-74 degree regular temperature. I try to water regularly when I feel the soil dry. Would the dropping leaves be from stress, too much heat, over watering or under watering? Thank you.
Hello, Kim!
Yes, it sounds like your plant was stressed, and maybe didn’t receive sufficient water, and may need even a cooler location. A daytime temperature of 70°F (21°C) and an evening temperature of 60-65°F (15-18°C) is preferred. Continue to water lightly when dry, and feed monthly. This should promote new growth in place of the dropped leaves and stems.
—The Editors
How can I get my C. Cactus to grow roots again.. it was accidentally lifted above soil. Plant has bloomed for 3-4 years.
Hi Joanne, thank you for your note.
From what you’ve shared, it sounds like the entire plant was out of its soil or potting mix, and now won’t re-root. First, check for root rot. If present, you’ll want to discard any rotted material and re-pot the remainder in clean soil The best way to get your plant to root overall is to put it into water. If it’s too large, we suggest taking cuttings of the plant and rooting them in water, then planting them in potting mix after roots form.
—The Editors
I have what I believe is a Christmas cactus (could be an Easter one) and it blooms several times each year, including in the summertime! It seems to know the holidays, too, as it blooms around July 4th, among other holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). It bloomed at Thanksgiving and is still producing some flowers. I do need to repot it though as the roots are coming up, though someone once told me that this type of plant likes to be pot-bound. I water it every couple of weeks and it is in a north/east-facing window where it gets the morning sun.
My Christmas cactus bloomed early November this year. I kept on a covered porch here in sunny South Carolina and watered it well. Even split it up for present and it was gorgeous in doors as temps dropped. Now it looks overwatered and wilted blooms. ? I think I need to repot? Maybe set it outside again? Fertilize?
The plant is likely a bit too wet! Indoors with less light, it needs a lot less water than it does outdoors. It may also just need some time to adjust to indoors and bounce back on its own.
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