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.
Where do I find a Christmas cactus?
The Christmas cactus is a popular houseplant for a reason: it’s beautiful! They produce gorgeous, tubular flowers in pink or lilac colors when they bloom. They’re a fantastic plant because of their lovely blossoms, long bloom time, and low maintenance requirements. We’re sure you have a Christmas cactus in your household!
About Christmas Cacti
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) and its cousins do not live in hot, arid conditions like deserts or plains, unlike other cacti. These epiphytic succulents are native to southern Brazil’s tropical rainforests, where they grow on tree branches and absorb the high humidity, dappled sunlight, and moderate temperatures.
The bottom line is that you shouldn’t treat a Christmas cactus like any other cactus or succulent. They can’t withstand the same hot, dry circumstances as other cactus. These cacti require more frequent watering than most succulents, but you must be careful not to overwater them. (For more information, see the thorough care instructions below.)
Thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas Cactus?
Easter cactus (S. gaertneri), Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata), and Christmas cactus are the three primary types of “holiday” cacti (S. x buckleyi). Each holiday cactus blooms closest to the holiday for which it is named. Most “Christmas cacti” offered nowadays, on the other hand, are actually Thanksgiving cacti, which bloom from November to February and hence go unrecognized as Christmas cacti. See our post on the different types of holiday cacti and how to identify them apart for more information.
Note: On this page, we use the word “Christmas cactus” to refer to all three of these species because it is the most generally used term and our care advice applies to all of them!
What do you do with a Christmas cactus after it blooms?
When thinking about how to care for a Christmas cactus, keep in mind that it enjoys temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees F (15-21 degrees C) and moderate to high humidity levels. Adding more humidity to the home by placing a tray of pebbles filled with water beneath the Christmas cactus pot is a fantastic idea.
Allow the Christmas cactus to begin its dormancy cycle by cutting back on Christmas cactus watering and reducing both light and temperature once all flowering has stopped (typically by fall), or about six to eight weeks before you want the plant to rebloom. Simply reduce watering and ensure that the plant receives 12-14 hours of darkness and average temperatures of 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit (10-12 C.). Keep the Christmas cactus out of drafty areas as well.
The Christmas cactus is not difficult to care for if you understand how to do so, and if given sufficient care and placed in a good position, it may even surprise you with extra blooming cycles throughout the year.
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.
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 years—even 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.
How long do 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 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!
Do you water a 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.)