24/08/2025
Bringing Your Cactus Home
Once you bring your new cactus home, leave it in its pot. Your Christmas cactus won’t need to be repotted for a few years, as they often bloom better when “pot bound.” When repotting is necessary, choose a pot that’s only an inch or two larger in diameter. Use well-draining potting soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes.
Pruning Your Christmas Cactus If your plant gets leggy or branches start dropping off because it can’t support its own weight, prune it by cutting off a piece where two stem segments join. Do this after it blooms. Save those pieces to propagate a new plant!
Propagating a Christmas Cactus To propagate:
Prune or Use Broken Pieces: If you prune your plant or a piece breaks off, stick it into the soil. Place in Bright Light: Put the pot in bright light and keep the soil slightly moist. Develop Roots: It should develop roots in a few weeks. Optionally, dip the base of the cutting in rooting hormone before planting. Caring for a Christmas Cactus Light: Christmas cactus plants need bright, indirect light. They’ll burn in direct sunlight, so if placing indoors near a west or south-facing window, make sure it’s filtered with a sheer curtain. Humidity: They like humidity, so if your house is dry in winter, put the cactus on a tray of pebbles or near other plants. Watering: Water when the top surface feels dry and never let them sit in water. They prefer daytime temperatures of 65 to 70°F and evening temperatures of 55 to 65°F. Difference Between Holiday Cacti Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii): Rounded, scalloped edges on stems. Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata): Sharp, pointy edges on stems. Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri): Star-shaped blooms, blooms closer to Easter. Getting a Christmas Cactus to Bloom Fertilize: Monthly between June and August with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half-strength. Outdoor Exposure: You can take it outdoors during summer but bring it back in before it gets too cold. Short-Day Plants: They need a long period of uninterrupted darkness at night for at least six weeks to set buds. Keep it in cool temperatures around 50-65°F with no light. Watering a Christmas Cactus Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Soak the plant through to the roots, but dump out the saucer after the plant drains.
Light Requirements These plants like as much bright, indirect light as you can give them but avoid direct sunlight to prevent burning the foliage.
Fertilizing a Christmas Cactus Use any blooming houseplant fertilizer (such as 20-20-20 or 20-10-20). Fertilize every two weeks once buds appear and monthly from spring through summer.
Troubleshooting: Limp Leaves If you underwater your Christmas cactus, the leaves will droop or look wrinkly. Water more frequently, but don’t let it get too soggy, which can cause leaves to fall off or get mushy.
Pet Safety According to the ASPCA, Christmas cactus is not toxic to pets. However, any plant can cause tummy upset if eaten in large enough quantities, so keep this plant away from any pets who like to nibble.
Happy growing! 🎄🌺
