Remember that Christmas cactus plants prefer constantly moister soil than the majority of other succulents do. Typically, a Christmas cactus needs water when the top inch or two of soil are dry. Fill the pot saucer with pebbles and add water to just below the tops of the pebbles (the pot shouldn’t be sitting directly in water) to help improve the humidity surrounding the plant. As the water evaporation increases, the air will become more humid. (See below for advice on watering when attempting to encourage your Christmas cactus to rebloom.)
When a Christmas cactus is blooming, should you water it?
Christmas cacti are highly common indoor plants, and for good reason too! They produce vibrant, tubular flowers that are pink or purple in hue when they bloom. They are a superb plant because of their lovely blossoms, lengthy bloom period, and simple maintenance needs. Someone in your family most likely owns a Christmas cactus!
About Christmas Cacti
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) and its cousins don’t exist in hot, arid conditions like deserts or plains, in contrast to other cacti. These epiphytic succulents, which grow on tree branches and take in the high humidity, dappled sunlight, and moderate temperatures, are actually endemic to the tropical rainforests of southern Brazil.
Bottom line: Don’t handle a Christmas cactus like a typical succulent or cactus. They are unable to withstand the same kind of hot, dry weather that other cactus can. These cacti require more frequent watering than most succulents, but you also need to be careful not to overwater them. (See the care guidelines in more detail below.)
Thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas Cactus?
The Easter cactus (S. gaertneri), Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata), and Christmas cactus are the three main varieties of “holiday cacti” that are available (S. x buckleyi). The holiday that each cactus is named after often sees the most blooming. Thanksgiving cacti, which often bloom from November to February and hence go unrecognized as Christmas cacti, make up the majority of “Christmas cacti” sold nowadays. See our post on the several Christmas cacti species and how to distinguish them for more information.
Note: Because it’s the most widely used term and it applies to all three of these species, we’ll refer to all three of them on this page as “Christmas cactus” for simplicity’s sake.
Potting Christmas Cacti
- Choose a pot with a drainage hole on the bottom if you’re choosing one for a Christmas cactus. This prevents the soil from getting overly saturated.
- Most succulent-specific potting mixtures work well for Christmas cacti growth. It’s crucial that your potting soil drains properly.
Where to Put a Christmas Cactus
- Plants should be kept in indirect light that is bright. The best location has an east-facing window or a well-lit bathroom. The delicate leaves might be bleached by too much direct sunshine.
- It is preferable to have a daytime temperature of 70F (21C) and an evening temperature of 60–65F (15–18C).
- Christmas cacti do well in a more humid climate, so keeping them in a well-lit bathroom or kitchen is a smart idea.
- Christmas cacti can be kept in a shady area of the garden or on an unheated porch during the summer until the temperature drops below 50F. (10C). Keep them away from the sun’s rays outside.
How to Care for Christmas Cacti
- Water your plants every two to three weeks, but only when the top third of the soil feels dry to the touch. If the plant is in 6 inches of soil, for instance, water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry. (Check with your finger!)
- When the soil is completely dry, wet it until water seeps through the drainage holes in the pot. To collect the water, put a tray underneath the pot. To prevent the pot from sitting in water, remove any extra water on the tray after 10 to 15 minutes.
- While the plant is in bloom, it’s very crucial to water thoroughly.
- Feed your indoor plants with a balanced houseplant fertilizer every two weeks from spring through early fall. Feed the cactus once a month in the fall and winter to promote fruitful blooming.
- To promote branching and more flowers, prune plants in the late spring. Simply cut a portion of each stem off; the plant will grow new branches from the incision.
- If desired, plant the cut pieces in potting soil that is only gently damp; they will easily root after a few weeks and make wonderful Christmas gifts!
How to Get Your Christmas Cactus to Bloom
The longer evenings and chilly weather of fall are what cause Christmas cacti and its relatives to bloom. The three major varieties of holiday cacti typically bloom on the following schedule:
- Thanksgiving cactus typically produce flowers from late October through mid-winter, making them the earliest and longest bloomers.
- Christmas cacti often bloom in the early to midwinter months.
- Easter cacti flower around the middle of spring through late winter.
If your cactus isn’t flowering, it can be getting too much light or being exposed to too much heat. Here are some suggestions to help you get blooms from yours!
- For a minimum of six weeks, the nights must be at least 14 hours long and the days between 8 and 10 hours. You might need to cover your cactus or relocate it to an area that is exposed to the natural light cycle if you have powerful interior lighting that is on at night.
- When the plant is kept at temps between 50 and 60F, flower buds form best (10 and 15C).
- By subjecting the plant to temps around 45F (7C) for a number of nights in a succession, you can jumpstart the budding process.
- While the plant is in bloom, be sure to water it consistently. The plant may lose its buds if it dries out too much.
- Don’t worry if the cactus loses its buds one winter; the following year it should bloom.
The three primary varieties of “holiday cacti” are as follows:
- Often mistaken for Christmas cacti, Thanksgiving cacti (Schlumbergera truncata) bloom from late October to mid-winter.
- Christmas cacti (S. x buckleyi) flower in the early to midwinter months.
- Late winter to mid-spring is the blooming period for Easter cacti (S. gaertneri).
- Make sure to water your Christmas cactus frequently and keep it cool when the buds on the plant appear ready to open.
- The optimum time to propagate cuttings is late spring when most holiday cacti start to grow after their winter hibernation.
Blossom loss: Your Christmas cactus will probably lose its blossoms if it experiences any kind of stress. As mentioned in the plant care section above, this could be caused by the amount of light or a sudden shift in temperature. Make sure your soil doesn’t become overly dry while buds are developing.
The plant could be vulnerable to mealy bugs and root rot if overwatered. If you experience issues, remove the affected sections and repot the plant in fresh soil.
Should I water a cactus that is in bloom?
Water is necessary for active growth, including blooms. The majority of cacti in their natural habitat get most of their water each year during the monsoon season. Never water a cactus when it is raining or set it up for automated irrigation. Only water your cactus when necessary to keep it appearing landscape-worthy due to a lack of natural rainfall. Always consider the forecast, humidity, and temperature. By hand, inspect the soil, and be extra careful. Dry the soil entirely in between waterings. This prevents the fungal infections and root, crown, and crown rot brought on by inadequate water management.
What Temperature Does Blooming Cactus Plants Need?
You must maintain the proper temperature for your flowering cactus if you want it to blossom.
During the hot summer months, cacti aggressively grow and bloom, and they rest during the cool winter months.
Keep your plant at the ideal chilly temperature (50 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the winter if you want it to bloom energetically in the spring.
Your plant will cease growing while it is dormant and focus all of its energy on developing flower buds.
The majority of cacti prefer extremely hot conditions, and in the spring and summer they can be moved from a more protected indoor environment to full sun and exposure.
Keep your indoor cactus near a south-facing window so it gets plenty of light.
Due to the fact that the sunshine will naturally be less intense throughout the winter, this area can also be advantageous.
Additionally, it’s likely that the temperature adjacent to the window will be lower than the remainder of your home.
How Much Light Does Your Cactus Need?
If you keep your succulents and cacti in your outside garden during the growth season, be sure to place them where they will receive the most heat and light.
Make sure it has sufficient drainage and is planted or placed in direct sunshine to avoid root rot.
How Much Water Does Cactus Houseplants Need?
Cactus are very tolerant of drought, however they do require more water during the growing season (especially if you want them to bloom).
Keep an eye on the soil, and water your cactus thoroughly when the top few inches become dry.
In order to prevent your plant from sitting in water, if it is in a container, let the water run through the pot and make sure to empty the drainage saucer.
Your aim is to replicate a desert rainstorm that drenches the ground before a strong sun swiftly dries it.
Cacti don’t require watering when they are dormant. In the winter, the soil needs to be allowed to completely dry out in between light waterings.
In general, the plant’s reserves of moisture should be sufficient to last it through the winter.
However, misting is a smart idea because it deters spider mites and offers adequate ambient moisture. A humidifier could be beneficial.
When and What Kind Of Fertilizer Does Cactus Need?
There isn’t a lot of fertilizer needed for cacti. Use a fertilizer kind specifically made for use with cacti and only fertilize during the growing season.
It should have a low nitrogen content and a high potassium and phosphorus content for optimal blooming.
What Is The Best Soil For Cactus?
You ought to utilize a product made specifically for cacti when you repot your succulent.
If you can’t find cactus potting mix, you can make your own by combining potting soil, sand, and perlite in an equal ratio.
How should a blossoming cactus be cared for?
Here are some quick and simple instructions for taking care of cactus plants. Every year, your collection of cacti will flourish with the help of the instructions you follow.
- Make use of cactus/succulent potting soil of high grade.
- When it is time to water the plant, water it thoroughly.
- Avoid overwatering the plant or letting it stand in water.
- Make sure your plant gets enough sunlight.
- Put your plant in a space that has good ventilation.
- Before the following watering, let the soil dry out.
- During the growing season, fertilize with a moderate liquid fertilizer.
- When the plant is dormant in the winter, water it sparingly or not at all.
- Depending on growth, pot up every two to three years.
Cactus blooms draw insects, and these little creatures also aid in pollination. Pollinated flowers will yield seeds that can subsequently be germinated.
This information is correct and factual to the best of the author’s knowledge but should not be used in place of formal, specific advice from a trained expert.
After the Christmas cactus blooms, what should you do?
Remember that the Christmas cactus enjoys ordinary to high humidity levels, with temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees F (15-21 degrees C). More humidity can be added to the house by setting a plate of pebbles filled with water underneath the Christmas cactus container. By providing proper hydration, avoiding exposure to chilly drafts, unvented heaters, or hard handling, you may assist the plant retain its bud set. Bud growth may be hampered by nighttime temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
After Flowering
The Christmas cactus should be allowed to start its dormant cycle by reducing hydration, light, and temperature once all flowering has stopped (often by fall) or around six to eight weeks before you want the plant to rebloom. These plants need shorter days and chilly nights after blooming. Once the plant has done blooming, it begins to actively grow.
Reduce the amount of watering you give the plant, and make sure it has 12–14 hours of darkness each night and typical temperatures of 50–55 F. (10-12 C.). Along with avoiding drafty regions and abrupt changes in moisture, temperature, or sunlight, keep the Christmas cactus away from them as well.
Possible Issues
There could be a few causes if your lovely plant doesn’t bear many flowers or starts to lose its buds. Try giving it 13 nonstop hours of complete darkness at night. The Christmas cactus may respond to a sudden dip in temperature by withholding or removing its blossoms. A delicate cloth or swab dipped in alcohol can be used to gently brush away mealy bugs, aphids, and scale, which are sporadic visitors.
How can an overwatered Christmas cactus be identified?
Any cactus that has been left to sit in a saucer of water is probably less healthy. The Christmas cactus plant will manifest clear signs of suffering if it is overwatered. To avoid moisture gnats and preserve the roots from decaying, you should always dump the extra water from the saucer if it hasn’t dried in a day.
One of the first signs of overwatering on a Christmas cactus are limp leaves that begin to fall off, just in case you forgot to do this. The stems and branches will thereafter become mushy and spongy. In severe situations, the stem can entirely rot off and the symptoms will include a bad smell.
Prevention is easy to do. To avoid overwatering Christmas cactus, use a soil moisture meter.
How can I maintain the blooms on my Christmas cactus?
They favor direct, bright light. As the plants start to burn in full light, the leaf segments might turn a dark red color. The two factors of light and temperature are the “secret” to getting Christmas cacti to bloom the years after purchase. These two hold the secret to the realm of flowers.
Cacti are watered either from the top or the bottom.
Cactuses need regular summertime hydration to grow and stay healthy, but if you overwater it or mist it too frequently, it could rot from the base up.
Follow the advice of knowledgeable cactus growers and water from the bottom. Put the potted cactus in a shallow saucer that is half-filled with water every week during hot weather, or whenever the pot feels light, and leave it there for approximately a half-hour or until it soaks up the water. Enough water will be absorbed by the soil for the plant. Furthermore, since the majority of the moisture will be near the pot’s bottom, deep rooting will be promoted.