Is it true that Christmas Cactus blooms more than once a year? In February, my Christmas Cactus bloomed again, and I explain how it happened here.
When November and December arrive, Christmas Cactus are in high demand.
Even when they’re not in flower, I like them and think they’d make good houseplants. But wait, did you know they can make the same flower twice? My Christmas Cactus started blooming again in February, proving that they do flower more than once a year.
Let’s get a little more technical for those of you who, like myself, are plant nerds. The Thanksgiving (or Crab) Cactus that you see here and in the video is actually a Christmas Cactus. When I bought it, it was labeled as a CC, and that’s how it’s commonly sold in the trade. Nowadays, they’re commonly referred as as Holiday Cactus. They can re-bloom more than once a year, regardless of which one you have.
My Christmas (Thanksgiving, Holiday) Cactus in bloom again:
I’ve received a few concerns from readers about their Christmas Cacti flowering more than once a year, and whether this was “normal” or not. Some people’s flowers bloom again, whereas others do not. What triggers their re-blooming? I’ll tell you about the situation I’ve been in and what I’ve done.
How do you get a Christmas cactus to bloom again?
Christmas cactus, unlike many other succulents, can bloom again in the spring if given the right conditions. Christmas cactus can be encouraged to flower again by placing it in an east-facing window that receives plenty of sunlight during the day and 12 hours of darkness at night.
What months do Christmas cactus bloom?
- Water every two to three weeks, but only until the top one-third of the soil feels dry to the touch. Water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, for example, if the plant is in 6 inches of soil. (Check with your finger!)
- Soak the soil until water runs through the drainage holes in the pot when it is sufficiently dry. To catch the water, place a tray underneath the pot. Remove any extra water from the tray after 10-15 minutes so that the pot does not sit in water.
- Feed every two weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer from spring through early fall. Feed the cactus once a month in the fall and winter to encourage blooming.
- Late in the spring, prune plants to encourage branching and more flowers. Simply cut a few portions off each stem, and the plant will branch out from the wound.
- Place the cut pieces in a lightly moist potting soil if desired; they will root easily after a few weeks and make great Christmas gifts!
How to Get Your Christmas Cactus to Bloom
The lower temperatures and longer evenings of autumn bring out the blooms of Christmas cacti and its relatives. This is the general blooming schedule for the three main species of Christmas cacti:
- Thanksgiving cactus are the earliest and most persistent bloomers, blooming from late October to mid-winter.
It’s possible that your cactus isn’t blooming because it’s getting too much light or being exposed to too hot temperatures. Here are some pointers to help you get yours to bloom!
- For at least six weeks, nights must be at least 14 hours long and days must be between 8 and 10 hours. If you have powerful interior lighting that is turned on at night, you may need to cover your cactus or transfer it to a location where it can be exposed to natural light.
- Flower buds form best when the plant is kept between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10 and 15 degrees Celsius).
- By exposing the plant to temperatures of around 45°F (7°C) for several nights in a row, you can jumpstart the budding process.
- Ensure that you water the plant on a regular basis when it is in bloom. If the plant dries out too much, the buds may fall off.
- Don’t worry if the cactus loses its buds throughout the winter; it will bloom the next year!
Why has my Christmas cactus stopped blooming?
Drought stress or too much light, as it is a short-day plant, are the causes of Christmas cactus not blooming. The Christmas cactus has evolved to thrive in humid, rainy environments. If it’s too dry or there are too many hours of light during flower formation, it won’t flower.
There are a number of other factors that can prevent the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) from flowering, which I’ve listed below:
Continue reading to learn why your Christmas cactus isn’t blossoming, as well as the best methods and strategies for getting it to bloom…
Why do Christmas cactus only bloom once a year?
The name “Christmas Cactus” is a misnomer. These aren’t sun-loving, drought-resistant cacti. They prefer bright but filtered sunlight and regular watering to keep their potting material from drying out completely. They are native to the treetops of Brazil’s coastal mountain ranges. They thrive in pots, which makes them even easier to care for because they don’t need to be repotted.
They should be handled like a houseplant once the blossoms have faded.
Water them on a regular basis and keep them in bright light but not direct sunlight. They can be grown outside in the summer if their pots are in dappled shade, they are regularly watered, and they are brought inside before nightfall. The mercury soared over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Fertilize your plant once a year in late spring or early summer to ensure a healthy, happy plant.
The most common Christmas Cactus question is how to get them to bloom again after the first year. Cooler temperatures and long nights are required for blooming. These cacti are short-day plants, which means that long, dark, cool nights trigger blooming. To set flower buds, they require 14-16 hours of unbroken darkness and 8 hours of daylight for 3 to 6 weeks. Because streetlights and indoor lights will break their required darkness cycle, you can either cover them with a black garbage bag each night or install them near a window in a room that is rarely used at night. It will be much nicer if the indoor temperature is a little colder. Their ideal nighttime temperature ranges from 50 to 68 degrees. When flower buds appear along the leaf ends, return the plant to its original location in your home to enjoy the flowers.
What do you do after Christmas cactus blooms?
Fertilize the plant every month after it has bloomed, starting when you see fresh growth at the end of winter or the beginnings of spring. Feed a Christmas cactus with a 50 percent strength 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 plant food diluted with water. Apply a monthly application of a magnesium sulfate solution at a ratio of 1 teaspoon to 1 gallon of water to the plant, but not the same week you apply the plant food.
Should you remove dead flowers from Christmas cactus?
Deadhead all wasted blooms to keep your cacti looking their best throughout and after the Christmas season. The plant will also continue to blossom as a result of this. You can continue to enjoy your cacti after Christmas is past until it stops producing flowers. But don’t let it go after it’s done! With or without blossoms, these cacti make lovely houseplants. And there’s a good possibility it’ll blossom for you again next year, and sometimes even in the middle of the year. (Bonus!)
Do you water a Christmas cactus when it is blooming?
- Watering: Mist your plant frequently while it is blooming to keep the soil evenly moist.
- Light: For moderate light and some direct sun, place the cactus in an east-facing window.
- Fertilize every two weeks once buds have formed with a high-potassium fertilizer.
How long does a Christmas cactus live?
With good cause, the Christmas cactus may be found all over throughout the holiday season. It’s a blooming succulent that’s easy to care for, has beautiful blossoms, and may survive for up to 100 years if properly cared for! That’s correct! This plant can live for decades, giving your holidays a splash of color for generations. That’s a pretty good return on investment for a plant as simple and low-maintenance as the Christmas cactus!
Are coffee grounds good for Christmas cactus?
Your Christmas cactus will appreciate a cup of coffee just as much as you! Coffee grounds are high in potassium and nitrogen, which the cactus requires to stay healthy. You should not use the grounds right away because moist grounds can mold, so spread them out to dry first.