- 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 suitably 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 gently wet 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 flowering because it’s getting too much sunshine 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!
When can you buy a Christmas cactus?
Christmas cactus are normally obtained in late autumn or early winter, when they are already in bloom or have buds. Avoid excessive temperature changes when transporting your Christmas cactus home, since this may cause some buds to fall off. Keep the soil slightly moist and place in a bright window for maximum results. During the winter bloom time, there is no need to fertilize.
Christmas cactus require as much light as possible after the final blooms have faded, and prefer to be kept cool during rest periods.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
Place the mature plant in a dark room or keep it covered (under a box or bag works good) for at least 12 hours a day in late September or early October.
How long does a Christmas cactus last?
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 last for decades, giving your holidays a splash of color for generations. That’s a fairly good return on investment for a plant as simple and low-maintenance as the Christmas cactus!
Natural habitat
Christmas cacti, strictly speaking, do not have a native environment. They’re a cross between two members of the same genus, Schlumbergera truncata (Thanksgiving cactus) and Schlumbergera russelliana. So, where did these parent species come from in the first place?
Both are jungle cacti (or tropical cacti), which means they don’t grow in the same arid environments as their cactus siblings. They grew up in the same little area of tropical southern Brazil, where they thrived in humid, high-altitude woods, soaking up the humidity, dappled sunlight, and mild temperatures. They naturally grow on trees in a non-parasitic manner as epiphytes.
Description
Christmas cacti are members of the Rhipsalideae group and are commonly referred to as Zygocacti in horticulture. They’re epiphytic succulents that grow on trees, and their growth pattern makes them easy to identify. Instead of actual leaves, the plants develop flattened, green stem segments (known as cladodes) that resemble long trailing leaves and are utilized to photosynthesize.
Flowers on a Christmas cactus can’t be mistaken for anything else: they’re magnificent! The tubular blooms, which grow at the end of the segmented stems, are stimulated to open by short days and long nights, thus they bloom around the holidays (and can bloom again in late winter, given the right conditions).
Selective breeding has resulted in a broad range of stunning flower hues, including classic red and pink, as well as yellow, orange, white, and multicolored varieties.
Cultural significance and lifespan
This is unquestionably a culturally significant plant. It’s a popular houseplant that’s utilized to brighten up homes not just in the United States, but all around the northern hemisphere during the Christmas season in November and December.
What if I told you that This plant is called as “flor de maio” in its native Brazil, in the southern hemisphere. This is due to the fact that it blooms in May, rather than December, when winter is approaching!
Beginning in mid-fall, the plants are widely available, are sold at low costs while in bloom, and are frequently abandoned once they have finished flowering. Many people treat Christmas cactus the same way they treat poinsettias and amaryllis: as a seasonal houseplant.
Christmas cactus, on the other hand, may be kept as a houseplant all year, and with proper care, it can easily live for 20 to 30 yearseven up to 100 years or more!
Can you envision passing down a houseplant as a living heritage to your children or grandchildren? Or inheriting a family matriarch in the form of a Christmas cactus? (I enjoy geeking out about stuff like that!)
Plus, you won’t have to stress about passing down your prized plant to your relatives. A Christmas cactus is relatively straightforward to care for, with the exception of a little extra attention in the fall and winter to encourage repeat blooming. (Keep in mind that even if your Christmas cactus doesn’t bloom every year, it can still be completely healthy.)
- Premium Potting Soil for Orchids, Bromeliads, and Epiphytic Plants by Leaves & Soul
Can you buy Christmas cactus all year round?
Fresh Christmas Cactus from Costa Farms (Live 2-Pack) You’re undoubtedly wondering how Christmas cacti get through the winter and into the spring. The Christmas cactus can endure colder temperatures and heavy humidity because it is endemic to the East Brazilian jungles.
Should you deadhead Christmas cactus?
Deadheading cactus flowers can promote additional blooms and encourage growth while also tidying up the cactus. While not necessary for all cacti because some cactus flowers drop from the plant once they are spent, deadheading cactus flowers can promote additional blooms and encourage growth while also tidying up the cactus. While the Christmas cactus is in bloom, deadheading can be done at any time during the growing season.
Should I water my Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
Remember that Christmas cactus plants demand moist soil rather than the dry dirt preferred by most other succulents. When the top inch or two of soil on a Christmas cactus is dry, water it. Fill the pot saucer with stones and water to just below the tops of the pebbles (the pot should not be sitting directly in water) to assist improve the humidity around your plant. As the water evaporates, the air will become more humid. (See below for watering suggestions if you’re attempting to get your Christmas cactus to rebloom.)
Should you water Christmas cactus while blooming?
- Watering: Mist your plant frequently while it is blooming to keep the soil uniformly 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 many times a year does a Christmas cactus bloom?
Is It Possible For A Christmas Cactus To Bloom More Than Once A Year? Yes. Christmas cactus, unlike many other succulents, can bloom again in the spring if given the right conditions.