Christmas cactus blooming time
How to make a Christmas cactus bloom
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Whether you want to make your Christmas cactus bloom in time for the festive season, or simply want to know how to make it bloom if it seems to have stopped producing flowers entirely, we have expert advice below.
Usually, Christmas cactus, also known as Thanksgiving cactus or holiday cactus, blooms from November to January, but if you know how to grow a Christmas cactus, you will also know that getting it to bloom again will depend on getting both room temperature and light levels right. Plus, can you 'force' the plant to bloom again?
We've rounded up top tips on watering, lighting and the perfect temperature below so you can enjoy your Christmas cactus' blooms again.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
How to make a Christmas cactus bloom
The Christmas cactus can be made to bloom again if is subjected to:
The right light conditions – a week's worth of short days and long nights. A typical northern hemisphere winter will give you approximately 8 hours of daylight and 16 hours of darkness. Put it on a windowsill in a room that's rarely used, since even artificial lights will confuse it.
The right room temperature – Christmas cactus likes cool temperatures, no higher than 60ºF.
Keira Kay, Bloom & Wild plant expert, explains how to make a Christmas cactus bloom: 'For a second flowering, you will need to reduce the amount of light it's subject to each day, ensuring it’s in the dark 12-14hrs, and stored in a cool room, with a temperature around 50-54ºF (10-12ºC).
Rachel Martin, of Patch Plants , adds: 'Christmas cactus likes quite a cool temperature and will produce more flowers if kept below about 68ºF (20°C), so keep her well clear of radiators.'
The right level of watering – 'You would also need to cut back on watering, being careful to only water the top inch, and only watering again when it's dry to the touch, this change in conditions will force the plant into a dormancy period – which is vital for new spring flowers.
'
The right fertilization approach – knowing when to fertilize Christmas cactus is important: the quick answer is to do so in growing season, from spring to fall.
If you do all this you should make your Christmas cactus bloom again.
When does the Christmas cactus usually bloom?
The Christmas cactus is a winter-bloomer and comes into flower from November through January.
How many times a year will a Christmas cactus bloom?
The Christmas cactus will bloom typically once, however, you can prompt your plant into flowering again in spring with the correct conditions, for example by ensuring it has a short-day, long-night environment and cool room temperatures.
How long will it take a Christmas cactus to bloom again?
'It’ll take six to eight weeks for buds to appear, and a further eight to 12 to come into full bloom,' says that Keira Kay, Bloom & Wild plant expert.
'Each flower should last from five to seven days, whereas the flowering period of the plant itself can last for three to six weeks.
'
Why does my Christmas cactus bloom but not bud?
The reasons that cause Christmas cactuses to bloom but not bud include: rooms that are too hot, too cold or drafty; overwatering; and too many buds.
If a Christmas cactus is sitting in wet soil, it may begin to suffer root rot. Ideally, you can allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again – and ensure the pot's drainage is good. Otherwise you may want to consider repotting the Christmas cactus to a more suitable container.
As for room temperature, second budding requires a cooler room than first budding – 50-54ºF (10-12ºC) for second budding; between 60-70ºF (15-21ºC) for the first budding.
And if the plant is too full, consider pruning it – remove older stems at the base. You can propagate a Christmas cactus, so this is a good opportunity to do so.
Why does my Christmas cactus not flower?
It is likely that you Christmas cactus isn't flowering because it is getting too much daylight or too little water, or being kept in a room that's too warm for it.
Eight hours of daylight a day then darkness is a must. Bear in mind that the Christmas cactus is a forest cactus so while they don't like their roots in boggy soil, they don't like to dry out, nor do they like very dry, overheated spaces. It's unlikely that you need to repot a Christmas cactus since they don't mind being a little root-bound.
Why are my Christmas cactus blooms falling off?
Christmas cactus' blooms fall off because the plant is either over- or under-watered or because the room is too hot or too dry. Ideally, only water when the first inch or so of soil is wet and keep in a cool room that has a little humidity, too.
Ruth Doherty is an experienced digital writer and editor specializing in interiors, travel and lifestyle. With 20 years of writing for national sites under her belt, she’s worked for the likes of Livingetc.com, Standard, Ideal Home, Stylist and Marie Claire as well as Homes & Gardens.
Christmas Cactus Blooming - How to Get a Holiday Cactus to Flower
The sight of a Christmas cactus blooming is one of the joys of the season, for me.
This plant is one of the traditional Christmas plants that are often seen for sale this time of the year.
This holiday cactus plant is sold with buds on them each year, but how do you get this plant to bloom every year?
A Christmas cactus is the perfect seasonal plant to have in bloom this time of the year. It loves cool temperatures and, in nature, late fall and winter months are its normal bloom time.
Along with amaryllis bulbs that have been forced, and cyclamens, the Christmas cactus us a popular holiday choice.
With the right care, a Christmas cactus will be the star of your indoor plants collection. They can be a little tricky to get to flower if the conditions aren’t just right, though.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links below are affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through one of those links.
What is a Christmas Cactus?
Christmas cactus (schlumbergera bridgesii) is a genus of cactus plants that have about 6-9 species.
They are native to the coastal mountains of South East Brazil.
The plant, like its cousins, the Thanksgiving cactus, and Easter cactus, is an epiphyte that takes nourishment from the air and rain.
In the wild, the plants grow on trees or around rocks in shady spots with high humidity. This makes their needs quite different compared to a normal cactus plant.
Other names for Schlumbergera bridgii are holiday cactus, Christmas cactus and true Christmas cactus.
Many of the plants sold around Christmas time in flower are actually the Thanksgiving cactus, also known as the false Christmas cactus – (schlumbergera truncata.)
Another variety – the Easter cactus (Schlumbergera gaetneri), flowers in the spring and is native to the natural forests of Brazil, rather than the tropical forests.
Leaf types of holiday cactus plants
One of the most common questions that I get about holiday cactus is “What does a Christmas cactus look like?”
The reason for this question is that all three holiday cactus plants resemble each other in both leaf and flowers.
Telling the three types of schlumbergera apart starts with examining their leaf shape. Although they look alike, at first glance, their shape is actually different in each type.
Holiday cacti are known as a leaf cactus. The bodies of the leaves are flattened and form stems. The leaves have a scalloped, rounded or crab shape.
Leaves of the Christmas cactus have scalloped edges in tear drop shaped segments.
Flowers grow from the notched areas of the leaves, as well as from the tips of their stems.
Christmas cactus flower type and color
The sight of a Christmas cactus in flower in the middle of the winter is something to behold. The flowers are long and are held more or less horizontally on the end of the stems.
Older plants often take on a drooping look that is perfect for a hanging basket.
The Christmas cactus flower colors are pink, white, red, yellow, and purple varieties. The most often seen color is pink.
Blooms are quite long lasting.
Many plants in flower have hundreds of buds ready to open at any given time, making their show of flowers last over several months.
Just as each of the holiday cactus plants have slightly different leaf shapes, the flower shape also varies.
Thanksgiving cactus has asymmetrical flowers, Easter cactus has starburst shaped flowers. The flowers of the Christmas cactus are symmetrical.
Another way to tell the difference between the Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus blossom is to examine the pollen bearing anthers.
Those of Thanksgiving cactus are yellow, while the anthers of the Christmas cactus are pink to purplish brown.
Cool temperatures and short days are what you need to get your Christmas cactus to rebloom. Head to the Gardening Cook to get all the tips you need for holiday cactus flowers! Click To Tweet
Getting Christmas cactus to bloom
Christmas cactus, like Poinsettias and a few other holiday plants, are photoperiodic.
This means that they react to low light days and cool temperatures by setting buds.
Frosty fern does this too, but instead of setting bubs, the tips of its leaves turn snowy white!
It’s fine to purchase a holiday cactus plant in bloom from the store, and have it flower for you, but how do you get a Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus to re-flower each year?
I have neglected my Christmas cactus, replanted it, dried it out and more, but I still seem to be able to get mine to come back year after year by making sure that I follow these tips at just the right time.
If you love to grow flowering houseplants, especially those that will bloom in the cold winter months, Christmas cactus is a fabulous choice.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, and florist cyclamen are two other plants that flower during the holiday season.
What does a holiday cactus plant need to flower each year?
Both of the holiday cactus plants that flower in late fall need the same kind of treatment to get them to rebloom again.
Here are some tips to remember to get your Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus blooming each year.
- The Christmas cactus needs short days and cool night temperatures to bloom well.
- High humidity, bright light and slightly moist soil are also essential.
I keep my Christmas cactus outside in my garden during the summer in a semi shady flower bed, right in its pot. I don’t bring it in until the danger of frost is imminent.
This practice gives my plant the shorter days and cool nights it needs. I’ve never had it fail to flower following this pattern.
If you have your Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus outdoors, they will do fine until the temperatures dip into the 40s. Then it’s time to bring them indoors.
Forcing Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus blooming
In order to force Christmas cactus to bloom each year, it’s necessary to have a period of darkness. This mimics what happens in the wild in nature when the days get shorter.
A Christmas cactus plant produces flowers in a cool, environment with a short day cycle.
This means late in the fall when the days are shorter and the temps are cooler.
Keep Christmas cactus in the dark to force blooms.
These plants really do love darkness. Don’t keep it in a room where lights are on well into the evening. It flowers best if it is dark for 12 or 13 hours each day.
One of the ways to accomplish this is to take the Christmas cactus from its normal spot and put it into a cool closet each night about 6 pm and then take it out the next day mid-morning.
Keep the plant cool and avoid temperature fluctuations
To ensure Christmas cactus blooming, the temperature of the room that you choose for forcing the flowers should be around 61 °F.
Try to mimic nature by putting your cactus in a dark and COOL room. Nothing forces the buds better than both darkness and the cold
Take care that you don’t subject the plant to high temperatures or heat fluctuations, particularly when the plant is in bloom.
Why do the buds fall off?
If you get the plant to set flower buds and then they fall off, this normally means that the plant has been getting too much or not enough water.
Lack of humidity can also cause bud drop. Place the plant on a tray with pebbles over water or mist more often with a plant mister.
Recap: The easiest way to ensure next year’s blooms, is to do as I described above and you won’t need to force the buds with cold and darkness.
Place it outdoors in a spot where it is protected from strong mid-day sun. Leave it there as late into fall as possible, bringing inside only when frost threatens.
Whichever way you do it, the good news for gardeners is that getting a Christmas cactus to bloom again is fairly easy as long as you meet their temperature and light requirements.
Christmas cactus care
When you bring the cactus indoors, place it in a bright window where temperatures drop to 55°F to 60°F at night. If nights are a bit warmer (65°F or so), it will take longer for buds to develop.
Keep them in this type of cool area, being sure to keeping them away from all light between the hours of 5 p.
m. and 8 a.m. Water the plant well while the plant is blooming and less often at other times.
The plants should come into bloom between early December and through to January. If you would like the plant to bloom sooner, just start the cool temperatures and short day treatment earlier in the year.
If you follow these steps, you will have your Christmas cactus blooming each year during the holiday season without fail. I divided my huge plant this past summer, and this year I have two large plants just full of blooms.
Pruning is done after flowering to encourage bushiness which will produce more flowers next year.
Don’t fertilize heavily, or you encourage only vegetative growth and not flower buds.
Pin these tips Christmas cactus blooming
Would you like a reminder of these tips for getting Christmas cactus blooms each year? Just pin this image to one of your Gardening Boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.
Admin note: This post for getting a Christmas cactus to flower each year first appeared on the blog in December of 2012.
I have updated the post to include all new photos, a printable care card, extra tips and a video for you to enjoy.
What is your favorite seasonal holiday gardening tip? Let us know in the comments below.
Prep Time 1 month
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 month 30 minutes
Difficulty moderate
Estimated Cost $10
Materials
- 1 Christmas Cactus (or Thanksgiving cactus)
- Dark Room
- Cool Temperatures
Tools
- Watering can
- Plant mister
Instructions
- Keep your Christmas cactus outside during the summer months in a shady spot. Water normally.
- When the temperatures dip into the 40s bring the plant indoors, taking care to inspect for bugs.
- Place the plant in a cool spot where it will get 12-15 hours of darkness each day.
(even a closet shelf will work but bring it out for some light for part of the day) - Water sparingly and do not fertilize or prune.
- The plant should come into bloom in December and last into January. (Northern Hemisphere)
- To bring the plant into bloom earlier, start the cold/darkness earlier,
- Once it sets blooms bring to a semi sunny spot and water lightly each week.
Notes
Thanksgiving Cactus is similar but comes into bloom around Thanksgiving time.
Easter Cactus flowers in the spring but needs a period of dryness to force blooms.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Live Old Fashioned Christmas Cactus Schlumbergera Buckleyi (Bridgesii)
-
5 Buckleyi True Christmas Cactus Schlumbergera | Etsy
-
Christmas Cactus red flowers | Etsy
Share on Social Media
- Share28
- Tweet
Decembrist / Christmas cactus / Zygocactus / Schlumbergera
Decembrist or Christmas cactus - forest cactus, which is more often it blooms in December, for which it received such a name among the people.
Zygocactus (lat. Zygocactus) - old the name of this plant genus.
In the modern classification, the familiar Decembrist belongs to the genus Schlumbergera (lat. Schlumbergera), and zygokatus is just a species of Schlumbergera, and not only it. nine0003
Family: Cactus. Origin: Brazil. Flowering time: October - January.
Zygocactus - evergreen, perennial plant living in nature up to 50 years old. At home, a greenhouse, a "winter garden", a Decembrist can live 10-15 years.
Schlumbergera - epiphytic succulent with hanging chains flat leafy stems. Modified stem plates, 4-5 cm long, 2-2.5 cm wide, took over the main function of the leaves - photosynthesis. nine0003
Zygocactus stems are 20-50 cm long, under natural conditions can reach one and even one and a half meters.
Over the years, the base of the stem becomes woody, acquires brown color and the plant becomes like a tree.
Unlike the desert counterparts, the jagged edges of the Decembrist not prickly at all, so caring for the plant at room conditions will not bring the grower no complications. This "non-thorny" feature does not apply to all forest cacti. For example, epiphyllum has small but sharp spines. And with him must be handled very carefully so as not to accidentally prick.
The plant responds to the correct maintenance and easy care magnificent flowering. In October-December, at the ends of the branched stems of the zygocactus, numerous buds - in this form, the plant is often bought as a gift for Christmas. Having blossomed, the flowers form a delicate pink “cloud” above the young bush. nine0003
Pink was the original wild species of Zygocactus, from the wild species breeders brought out beautiful hybrids with flowers of white, salmon, red, purple and other colors.
Decembrist flowers look like small birds flying up for nectar. And in scientific language they are described as follows: flowers are zygomorphic (with one axis of symmetry), with a pronounced tube and several rows of petals bent upwards. nine0003
By the way, in the tropical forests of Brazil, they are pollinated by hummingbirds, very similar to to the shape of a flower. After cross-pollination, a fruit is formed in place of the flower, which ripens within a month. Ripe fruits of zygocactus, up to two centimeters in size, have pear-shaped, they are edible.
.How to keep and care for the Decembrist, so that he will delight in flowering several times a year
Christmas cactus belongs to epiphytes - plants growing on trees in humid tropical and subtropical forests. nine0003
Of course, this only happens in wildlife with wild species, but this feature must be taken into account when selecting substrate and growing conditions, because the root system of the zygocactus is thin and compact.
With a lack of moisture, it dries quickly, with an excess of it, it withers, the leaf plates become sluggish and shriveled - what kind of flowering is there, if only to survive.
Placement: Light to semi-shaded. Temperature during the growing season and during the flowering period - 16-23 ° С, during the dormant period (September-October, January) - 8-15°С. nine0003
The cooler the permanent residence of the Decembrist, the more often it will bloom - up to three times a year. In summer, the plant can be taken out to the balcony or veranda, and bring it back into the room only in September (before frost, of course) already with ready-made buds. And then in a warm room it will bloom in October.
This Christmas cactus is in bloom In November. He spent summer and two months of autumn on the balcony.
It is desirable to plant the Decembrist in shallow pots, pouring a layer of drainage on the bottom. change soil in a pot once every two years. If the Christmas cactus has grown enough, then they take the pot larger diameter, and the plant is rolled over, carefully shaking off the edges of the earthy coma from the old earth. nine0003
Care: moderate, regular watering during the growing season and flowering, giving the soil Let dry slightly before next watering. During the dormant period and at low temperatures, watering is reduced, because. Schlumbergera is prone to rotting at the slightest overflow.
Spray the plant from time to time. Water for irrigation and spraying should be soft, room temperature, chlorine free.
Top dressing: in half doses during the growing season and flowering. At the same time, they use peat or universal fertilizer with biohumus. To stimulate flowering, fertilize with potassium monophosphate. The rest of the year is not fed. nine0003
Propagation: by seeds - long-term method, used when growing new varieties and cuttings - a simple and fast way. Since the stems of the plant branch, even from one branch 2-3 knots long, you can grow a pretty bush or even a tree. Zygocactus is cut in spring and summer, cutting off the top of the stem. Before planting in soil peat-based cuttings are dried.
Pests: scale insect, mealybug, spider mite. nine0007 Diseases: fungal diseases, as well as rotting of the root system from cold and dampness.
Appointment: very beautiful flowering ampelous plant for winter and summer gardens. The Decembrist is grown in shallow pots on the windowsill. The plant also looks great in hanging baskets on the balcony, in the room, in the greenhouse.
Other articles about epiphytic representatives of the cactus family:
| Epiphyllum hybrid - the most unpretentious and spectacular blooming forest cactus. | Ripsalidopsis or Easter cactus - highly decorative plant for the winter garden. | nine0021
Christmas cactus (Decembrist): peculiarities of cultivation and care
From my childhood I remember this simple-looking flower, but covered with beautiful red flowers in winter.
He was so transformed, he became a bright spot on the window, creating a wonderful mood. Naturally, I learned the true name of the flower when I was already an adult.
It's called Zygocactus.
Although the zygocactus has become very common in our apartments, it turns out that it comes from the southeast of Brazil. It usually blooms from November to January, but the peak of its flowering occurs in December. nine0003
Its flowers can be not only red, but also scarlet and white. People call it differently: Decembrist, Rozhdestvennik, Christmas cactus, Varvarin color.
Zygocactus life is long - from 15 to 20 years. It is a cactus with flat branched stems, which consist of numerous flat "segments" with 2-4 teeth along the edges. Numerous flowers develop at the ends of these "segments".
Zygocactus differs from ordinary cacti in that it needs the same watering regime as deciduous plants. nine0003
During the period of active growth, which occurs in the Zygocactus from March to August, it must be kept warm, sprayed regularly and evenly watered with warm soft water.
In order to see a magnificent spectacle in winter - a blooming "Christmas cactus", it must be properly prepared for this.
Before abundant flowering, there should be a period of rest, conducive to the laying of buds.
Already from mid-August - early September, it is necessary to stop fertilizing and spraying. Watering should be reduced to a minimum. This spartan regimen for zygocactus should last about a month. But as soon as buds appear on the plant and until the end of flowering, watering should be plentiful. nine0003
At this time, the zygocactus becomes very sensitive, he really does not like being moved from place to place or turned in relation to the light.
It is best to place it near a sunny window, but a little bit in a light shade. It can be curtains or other plants. Oddly enough, but strong lighting can cause stunted growth and yellowing of the edges of the stems.
Buds in Zygocactus most often appear on young shoots, so pruning non-branching shoots contributes to more abundant flowering. However, this should be done after flowering. nine0003
Zygocactus is propagated by cuttings with 2-3 segments.
