How to care for a christmas cactus indoors

How To Care For A Christmas Cactus Houseplant

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a popular, winter-flowering houseplant that makes a great addition to nearly any indoor setting. It is not only easy to care for but propagates easily, too, making it an exceptional candidate for holiday gift giving. Let’s look at how to plant a Christmas cactus and care for it.

The very first step is understanding if you actually have a Christmas cactus. Easter and Thanksgiving cacti look deceptively similar. Click here to figure out which holiday cactus you have.

How to Plant Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus is easily propagated by cutting a short Y-shaped segment from the stem tips. Make certain, however, that the cutting is taken from healthy plant foliage only. Plant the segment approximately a quarter of its length deep in slightly sandy soil. Moisten it evenly and place the cutting in a well-lit area, staying away from any direct sunlight.

To root cuttings for new plants, cut back shoots from the tips, cut at the second joint of each tip. let it callous over for a few days. The cutting should show signs of growth within a few weeks, at which time the plant can be transferred to another container, if desired, with a looser potting soil mix of compost, loam and sand. The plant is happiest with a soil pH balance of 5.5 to 6.2.

How to Care for Christmas Cactus

Advice for Christmas cactus care tells us that it performs well under average home conditions with moderate care. The Christmas cactus will adapt to low light conditions, but the plant will produce blooms more readily if exposed to brighter light. That being said, too much direct sunlight can burn its leaves, so keep the Christmas cactus in an appropriate area to avoid this.

Christmas cactus moisture is important as well. The plant requires frequent and thorough watering, during its active growth in spring and summer, keeping the soil slightly moist. Allow Christmas cactus moisture levels to drop and dry out some between watering intervals, but never completely, and never let the plant sit in water, as this will lead to root and stem rot. Applying a mild houseplant fertilizer solution every other week is also acceptable.

Check Out Our Complete Guide to Houseplants

When considering how to care for Christmas cactus, keep in mind it also prefers temperatures hovering between 60 and 70 degrees F. (15-21 C.) with average to high humidity levels. Placing a tray of pebbles filled with water beneath the Christmas cactus container is a good way to add more humidity to the home.^. You can help to maintain its bud set by adequate watering, avoid exposure to cold drafts, unvented heaters, or rough handling. Night temperatures above 70 degrees F may inhibit bud development.

^{After Flowering}

Once the Christmas cactus has ceased all flowering (usually by fall), or about six to eight weeks before you want the plant to rebloom, you should allow the plant to begin its dormancy cycle by cutting back on moisture and reducing both light and temperature. After blooming, these plants like shorter days and cooler nights. The plant goes into active growth once it has finished blooming.

Simply cut back the watering and make sure the plant receives 12-14 hours of darkness and average temperatures around 50-55 F. (10-12 C.). Also, keep the Christmas cactus away from drafty areas and avoid sudden changes in moisture, temperature or sunlight.

Possible Issues

If your beautiful plant doesn’t produce many blossoms or it begins to drop its buds, there could be a few reasons. Try providing it with 13 straight hours of nighttime darkness. If there has been a sudden drop in temperature, the Christmas cactus may react by withholding blooms or dropping them. Mealy bugs, aphids and scale are occasional visitors, but can be gently wiped away with a soft cloth or swab, dipped in alcohol.

How to care for a Christmas cactus

If you are like many people, you may have received a Christmas cactus as a gift. These plants are popular during the holiday season because they are easy to care for and can bloom beautiful flowers. In this plant care guide, we will discuss how to care for your Christmas cactus so that it stays healthy and blooms flowers year after year.

Like many other cacti, the Christmas cactus is a low-maintenance plant that's perfect for those of us who tend to forget about our plants! This plant thrives on neglect and is happy to wait several weeks before it's being watered!

In this plant care guide, we're going to look at these aspects of taking care of a Christmas Cactus:

How should I water my Christmas cactus?

How often should I water my Christmas cactus?
How much water should I give my Christmas cactus?
When is the best time to water my Christmas cactus?

How much sunlight should my Christmas cactus get?
What type of soil should I use for my Christmas cactus?
What is the best temperature for my Christmas cactus?
What is the difference between a Christmas cactus and a Thanksgiving cactus?
When should I repot my Christmas cactus?

How do I repot my Christmas Cactus?
When is the best time to repot my Christmas Cactus?

When do I need to fertilize my Christmas cactus?
What are some common problems with a Christmas cactus?

Let's see how we can give our Christmas cactus the best care we can to help it thrive and start to bloom in your house!

How should I water my Christmas cactus?

Watering plants can be easy when you know how to check the soil for moisture. And there are a few things to keep in mind when watering your Christmas cactus.

How often should I water my Christmas cactus?

As I've mentioned in the introduction, the Christmas cactus thrives on neglect! This also means it doesn't need to be watered very often. Ideally, you should water your Christmas cactus about once every 2-3 weeks, or when the soil has dried out. Be careful not to overwater your plant, as this can cause root rot. If the top inch of soil still has some moisture, there's no need to add water.

How much water should I give my Christmas cactus?

When you water your Christmas cactus, be sure to give it enough water so it'll start to drip out of the bottom of the pot. Empty any water that collects in the saucer under the pot after watering. At this point, you can let the pot drain the excess water for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, the soil has absorbed the moisture it can hold onto and drained the excess moisture.

When is the best time to water my Christmas cactus?

The best time to water your Christmas cactus is in the morning so that the plant has time to absorb the water throughout the day. But remember to check the soil before watering the Christmas cactus.

How much sunlight should my Christmas cactus get?

Your Christmas cactus should be placed in a location where it will receive indirect sunlight. I recommend four to six hours of indirect sunlight each day. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves of your plant to burn. But alternatively, not enough sunlight can cause the plant to stretch and the leaves to get a faded color. If you live in a home with little natural light, you can use a sunlamp or light box to help your Christmas cactus grow.

What type of soil should I use for my Christmas cactus?

When potting or repotting your Christmas cactus, be sure to use a well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix. Most succulent potting mixes are perfect for keeping the soil moist and draining excess water quickly. It's also full of nutrients to help the Christmas cactus grow!

If you're looking for ways to make your own cactus soil, you should mix 1 part potting soil with 1 part fine-grained sand, and 1 part perlite. This mixture allows the potting soil to hold onto moisture for your cactus but also makes sure most of the moisture is drained to the bottom of the pot, away from the plant's roots.

What is the best temperature for my Christmas cactus?

Since the Christmas cactus likes a healthy mix of shade and sunlight, the popular houseplant also enjoys mild temperatures. Your Christmas cactus will do best in normal room temperatures: between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius (65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit).

Most houses are already the perfect temperature for your Christmas Cactus, so you most likely don't have to find a special place that's warmer or colder.

What is the difference between a Christmas cactus and a Thanksgiving cactus?

You might have heard of the Christmas Cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus and thought they'd probably be the same plant. However, they are 2 different plants that happen to look a lot alike.

Both plants are in the genus Schlumbergera, but the Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera truncata) and Thanksgiving cacti (Schlumbergera Buckleyi) are two different species. The main difference between these two plants is that the Christmas cactus has shorter, rounder leaves, while the Thanksgiving cactus has longer, more pointy leaves.

The more you know!

When should I repot my Christmas cactus?

If you've had your Christmas cactus for a year or more, you might be wondering if and when you can repot your plant. Like most other succulents and cacti, you don't have to repot the Christmas Cactus very often. It's a slow-growing house plant, so it can be in the same pot for 2 or 3 years before it needs to be repotted into a larger pot.

Just like any other plant, it's good to repot them when they grow too big for their pot, as this will encourage healthy growth. You can repot your Christmas cactus every two to three years, or when the plant becomes potbound. When repotting, be sure to use a well-draining potting mix and a pot that is only one size larger than the current pot.

How do I repot my Christmas Cactus?

To repot your Christmas cactus, remove the cactus from its pot. If the pot is stuck, you can use a knife to help pry it loose. Next, grab a new pot with drainage holes for your Christmas Cactus. These holes will allow for drainage so the cactus can grow healthy roots and is less at risk of getting too much water. Then, fill the new pot with soil and place the cactus in it. Make sure not to pack the soil too tightly, otherwise, water won't be able to drain properly out of the pot. Finally, water the cactus well.

When is the best time to repot my Christmas Cactus?

The best time to repot your Christmas Cactus is at the end of February, right at the beginning of spring. Most houseplants, including the Christmas Cactus grow the fastest during the spring and summer, as it's warmer and the sun is stronger. This time of year is perfect for repotting plants because your plant will recover more quickly and will settle into its new pot more quickly.

When do I need to fertilize my Christmas cactus?

All plants need nutrients to grow and recover from any pest or disease. Cacti are no different, they just require different fertilizers than tropical houseplants.

You should fertilize your Christmas cactus about once a month during the growing season, which is from March to September. Be sure to use a fertilizer that is specifically designed for cacti and succulents. Fertilize the Christmas cactus according to the package instructions. These instructions make sure that you dilute the fertilizer enough, to not cause overfertilizing your plant. Overfertilizing your plant can cause root damage, so it's important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer.

What are some common problems with a Christmas cactus?

All houseplants deal with issues from time to time. The Christmas cactus lukcily isn't very susceptible to pests, but it does have some common problems. Some common problems that can occur with a Christmas cactus include overwatering, which can lead to root rot, and insufficient sunlight, which can cause the plant to stretch and the leaves to turn yellow. If you notice either of these problems, be sure to adjust your care routine accordingly.

Conclusion

The Christmas cactus is an easy houseplant to care for when you have all the tools you need. And the effort is worth it when your cactus begins to bloom beautiful flowers! With indirect sunlight, mild temperatures, proper soil, and a little bit of water, your Christmas cactus will thrive. It's important to adapt its care routine if problems arise to keep your Christmas cactus happy and healthy. Be sure to share this guide with your friends and family so they can also enjoy taking care of their own plants!

Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.

Tags: drought-loving, beginner-friendly

Posted on: Oct 29, 2022

Schlumbergera Care Features

The Christmas cactus has more in common with orchids than succulents in terms of care requirements. To understand this, you need to consider in more detail the places where this plant grows.

In nature, Christmas cacti, the botanical name of Schlumbergera, grow in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. And there they do not grow on the ground, but on the trunks and branches of trees.

The Christmas cactus is classified as an epiphyte, which means “plant-dwelling”, as epiphytic plants are located in the forks of trees and live there thanks to precipitation and nutrients from rotting leaves. Therefore, the Christmas cactus in its care requirements is very similar to orchids. nine0003

You will hardly find pure natural forms of Schlumbergera in stores. In culture, only hybrids with lush flowers are bred. The shoots of the plant can reach up to one meter in length and consist of numerous, arcuately curved flat segments 3-5 cm long and 2-3 cm wide, at the ends of which flowers 4 to 6 cm in diameter appear.

Leaves and flowers of Christmas cactus

Schlumbergera leaves have pronounced veins. The shape and nature of the leaf members of different species and hybrids can be completely different. Schlumbergers form tiny areoles between the teeth along the edges of the segments, some with a beautiful bristle. nine0003

Large, oblong areoles form at the ends of all shoots, which grow singly or in pairs into numerous flowers. The flowering period of Schlumbergera falls in the winter.

Since the flowers of many Schlumbergera hybrids appear around Christmas, all hybrid forms are called Christmas cactus, or Decembrist. Each individual flower is 2-3 cm in diameter and 4-7 cm long. The flower tube is slightly curved, the outer petals of the corolla are widely open, and the stamens protrude forward beyond the flower. The color of the flowers includes the traditional white and red, in addition, there are salmon, peach, yellow, lavender and even multi-color flowers. nine0003

There are many hybrids of the Christmas cactus. They can be grown like regular cacti with a root system. At the same time, they can be grafted onto other cacti, such as Pereskia aculeata. Such grafted specimens can grow to impressive sizes. Such plants are especially impressive with their magnificent flowering

Schlumbergera Bridges (Schlumbergera X bridgesii) and Schlumbergera Buckley Schlumbergera X buckleyi form mostly rounded segments, depending on the species, more or less incised. And the flowers vary greatly in shape. Flower color can be white, pink or red. nine0003

Schlumbergera truncata forms segments with strongly serrated edges. A few weeks before Christmas, dark red flowers appear on it with petals gracefully curved back.

Light / location

Like all leafy cacti, the Christmas cactus does not like direct sunlight. Moderate lighting is most favorable for this plant in spring, summer and autumn. Not so intense winter sun does not harm the Christmas cactus at all. nine0003

At the height of autumn, buds begin to form, and with a gradual reduction in daylight hours, flowers bloom. During the period of active budding, the Christmas cactus should not be exposed in the evenings to artificial or ordinary bright room lighting. To obtain abundant, healthy flowering, the plant is transferred to a room that is not lit in the evening or covered with a dark film when the light is on.

Watering

Throughout the year, except for the period after flowering, the Christmas cactus is watered abundantly. The substrate should be slightly damp. After watering, remove excess water from the pan to prevent moisture stagnation and root rot. nine0003

Reduce watering after flowering. Water only when the top layer of soil is dry. When young shoots appear on the plant in spring, it is again watered abundantly. To increase air humidity, especially in spring and summer, Christmas cacti are sprayed daily with water.

Attention: since the Christmas cactus is completely intolerant of lime, rain and softened tap water is used for watering and spraying, if possible.

Temperature

The Christmas cactus is quite tolerant of air temperature and grows well at normal room temperature. In late spring and summer, it is recommended to take all types of Christmas cactus outdoors to a shaded place protected from winds and sun. As soon as the first cold nights come, the plants should be moved back to the apartment.

Propagation of Schlumbergera

Christmas cacti are easily propagated in spring and summer from cuttings. Cut off a stalk with two or three segments, allow the cuts to dry for several hours, then carefully insert it into the prepared soil so that it does not fall. nine0003

To make the bush lush, several cuttings are planted along the edges of a large pot. Care for cuttings is the same as for an adult plant. In four weeks, the young plant will start new shoots.

Substrate

Growing Christmas cacti need abundant watering, but without stagnant water. Therefore, they need a peat-based substrate with the addition of three parts of earth, one part of sand or perlite to increase friability and breathability.

Transplant

Christmas cacti grow well in flower baskets. They need to be repotted every year after flowering. If the roots of the plant completely braided the old pot, then the new one should be slightly larger in volume.

If the roots are small, then we do not change the pot. Gently shake the old earth from the roots and plant the Schlumberger in a clean pot with fresh earth.

Christmas cacti form a small root system. So, for plants with a diameter of about 30 cm, a pot with a diameter of 10 cm is needed.

Fertilizer / nutrient requirements

Throughout the year, except for a short period after flowering, the Christmas cactus is fertilized every 14 days with a potassium-rich complex fertilizer.

Plant features

Under certain conditions, cacti tend to drop buds. The reason for this may be drafts, rapid temperature changes, drying of the root ball or stagnation of moisture on the roots. But there are other reasons as well. In no case should you move, rotate or rearrange the Christmas cactus from place to place, otherwise the buds will weaken and begin to fall off. But if you still decide to rearrange the cactus strewn with buds to another place, you should create the usual lighting conditions for it. nine0003

Decorating with Christmas cacti

In winter, small specimens of Christmas cacti are often sold in flower shops in pots only 3-4 cm in size. Such a pot with a plant can be inserted into a glass bowl, lined with moss or gravel, put a couple of Christmas balls and Christmas tree cones. Within 3-4 weeks, the buds will bloom and make the whole composition shine.

If you have an old Christmas cactus, you can cut off one or two shoots that have buds. A Christmas tree ball filled with water can serve as a vase. If you decorate the "vase" with a few branches, in just a couple of minutes you will get a wonderful table composition. nine0003

After flowering, they can be used as cuttings after cutting and planting in the ground.

Translation: Lesia V.
specially for the Internet portal
garden center "Your Garden"

If you notice a mistake, select the required text and press Ctrl + Enter to report it to the editors

Christmas cactus: care at home

Christmas cactus or Decembrist is a very popular indoor plant. Tubular flowers of pink or purple color give it a special attraction. Their long flowering and ease of plant care have made this type of cactus a favorite of flower growers. nine0003

Features of care

Unlike most of its relatives, the Decembrist does not grow in dry conditions. It is an epiphyte that grows on tree branches in the Brazilian rainforests. Therefore, this houseplant requires a humid climate rather than a dry one. It is important to water your Christmas cactus much more frequently than most succulents.

Christmas cacti grow well in most container soils. The main thing is that there is good drainage and enough holes in the flower pot, which will not allow moisture to stagnate in the ground. nine0094

The plant needs bright indirect light.

The temperature during the day should not exceed 21°C, and in the evening - 15-18°C.

In summer, the Christmas cactus can be placed in a shady spot in the garden or on an unheated porch until the temperature drops below 10°C.

Watering and fertilizing

Once the top layer of the pot is dry to the touch, water the plant until water begins to flow out of the drainage holes. In this case, moisture must be removed from the pan. During the flowering period, it is especially important to control the level of soil moisture in the pot. nine0003

From spring to early autumn, fertilize the soil in which the Decembrist grows every 2 weeks, using fertilizer for indoor plants. In autumn and winter, soil fertilization should be reduced to 1 time per month.

Decembrist cuttings are desirable in June. This process will improve branching and produce more flowers. It is enough to cut off a few sections on each stem.

If desired, cut branches can be placed in moist soil - they take root easily. Late spring is the best time to propagate the Decembrist with cuttings that appear after the winter “hibernation” of the plant. nine0003

Flowering

If the Christmas cactus does not bloom, the problem may be a lack of daylight or uncontrolled air temperature.