You might be startled to learn that there is an Easter cactus that blooms in the spring after spending years encouraging a Christmas cactus to do so on time. I know I was when I stumbled upon a tiny potted plant in a nearby nursery that had adorable, tiny flower buds.
The Easter cactus, also known as Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri by knowledgeable horticulturists, is distinct from its relatives the Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus mostly due to the season in which it blooms and the nature of its leaves. They can be picky, demanding, and resistant when it comes to flowering on command until their expectations are met, yet these various plants also share a lot in common.
Care and Feeding: To get the Easter cactus to bloom on schedule, place it in an area where daily and nighttime temperatures vary by as much as 20 degrees. It will grow in bright, indirect light (sun or shade). Give it a balanced fertilizer twice a month and water it when the soil seems dry to the touch.
Design Advice: Match a white Easter cactus with a creamy-colored planter that matches its flower buds in hue. My-shaped Ben Wolff White Clay Pot with Saucer costs $62.50.
Easter cactus won’t bloom again until the following spring when its current flowering period is over. If it’s root-bound, you can repot it in the interim, and you can prune it anyway you like.
Our curated list of Houseplants 101 has further suggestions for indoor gardening. Don’t miss:
How often should Easter cactus be watered?
The most popular pot sizes for Easter Cacti are 4, 6, and 8 pots. They expand to become 1 x 1. Because it lives for a long time inside, older plants (10+ years) can grow to be 2 x 2.
Without direct sunshine, strong natural light is ideal for them. The thick leaves of a spring cactus will burn in the hot sun. For reference, mine is growing on a buffet in my dining room, which has three sizable east-facing windows. It is positioned about 10 feet from the windows, where it receives lots of light (Tucson is famed for its abundant sunshine!). They prefer bright shade while growing outside. As you can see from the video, my covered side patio’s northern exposure offers the best exposure.
These are epiphytic cacti, which are different from the desert cacti that Tucson is covered in. They grow on other plants and rocks rather than soil in their native rainforest settings. The roots must be able to breathe. Give yours a big swig of water and let the entire contents of the saucepan completely drain. Before you water the plant again, make sure it is completely dry. The roots should not be kept wet all the time because they will eventually rot. In between waterings, let the soil to dry out. It depends on a variety of things how frequently you water it. You should find this guide to watering indoor plants helpful. Water your Easter Cactus more frequently when it is blooming. At this point, you don’t want it to become fully dry.
They can withstand a variety of temperatures. Your Easter Cactus will feel comfortable in your home if you do. Just be aware that the blooming season will occur more quickly the warmer your home is. Keep children away from heaters and, in the opposite direction, from drafty areas. The evening temperature must be chilly for blooms to set. It is best between 45 and 55 degrees F. They can be grown outside all year long in temperate areas.
Although this epiphytic cactus favors humidity, it can survive in our homes despite their tendency to be dryer. I’ll put mine on a saucer with stones and water if it starts to appear less “plump & a bit on the dry side.” To prevent any rotting, make sure to keep the pot’s bottom out of the liquid. Soil
In their natural habitats, spring cacti grow on other plants, rocks, and bark. In soil, they do not grow. They eat leaves and other trash in the natural world. This indicates that they like a fairly porous mixture with considerable richness. I usually mix in compost and coco coir with a fairly chunky local succulent and cactus mix. This peat moss substitute is better for the environment since it has a pH that is neutral, can hold more nutrients, and enhances aeration.
None of my spring cactus have ever received fertilizer. Every spring, I always supplement with worm compost and organic compost. They’ve always had no trouble blooming. I’ll modify mine again in the summer here in the desert when it’s much hotter and dryer. You can use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer (such 10-10-10) in the spring, early summer, and mid-summer even if yours might not require it. My friend gave his Christmas and Easter cacti (20-10-20) all-around orchid fertilizer in the spring and again in the summer, and they both looked fantastic. It needs to be diluted to 1/4 strength. Add the fertilizer to the water at a quarter of the recommended rate. If necessary, I might try using my collection of orchids, which I have quite a number of. Wait to fertilize your Spring Cactus until it has completed blooming entirely, which should take 1-2 months. Before hitting it with the good stuff, you want it to relax!
I’ve only ever pruned mine to shape it or to make more plants. Speaking of propagation, leaf cuttings or division are both fairly simple methods. By chopping the terminal leaf parts off, you can take individual leaf cuttings. It is simple for me to twist them off. I select a few pieces, which I consider to be a stem. I then let the leaves or stems grow without them for about a week. They take a few weeks to root when I plant them in a plain succulent and cactus mix with about half of the leaf hanging out. I repotted them after one month has passed.
Take the entire leaf—don’t split it in half—and propagate it. Propagation works best, in my opinion, two to three months after flowering is over. Pests / Issues Mealybugs, spider mites, and possibly scale are common although mine have never experienced any of these. Another issue is the fungal disease known as root rot. By not overwatering and/or utilizing a soil mixture that is properly aerated and free drainage, you can prevent this.
Flowering Yes, this plant’s blossoms are quite attractive. Compared to the Christmas and Thanksgiving Cacti, whose flowers I think somewhat resemble Shrimp Plant flowers, these are more star-shaped. They come in vivacious violet, peach, red, orange, and that calmer Easter color, white. These plants are timed by the farmers to bloom around Easter. Although they can bloom long into or throughout May, they are primarily sold in March and April. The flowers will open more quickly and their overall blooming period will be shorter the warmer your home is.
Similar to what you do to get the Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti to bloom once again, you may get them to flower once more. Make sure your spring cactus receives an equal amount of sunshine and absolute darkness each day six to eight weeks before you want it to bloom. At this time, keep them dry to force them into dormancy. Depending on the temperature, the mix they are in, and the size and type of pot they are planted in, they may need watering every three to six weeks. Keep the temperature between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, 50 to 55 degrees is ideal. Your need for more darkness will increase if your temperatures are warmer.
What can I do to maintain my Easter cactus in bloom?
Prior to their spring flowering season, your Easter cactus needs eight weeks of equal quantities of darkness and light. Aim for colder, drier weather at night, ideally about 50 degrees. Despite the fact that these plants enjoy warmth, keep your potted cactus away from any sources of direct heat. However, the flowering time starts earlier the warmer your home is. It’s possible to even get flowers twice a year, just like other seasonal cactus!
Additionally, the Easter cactus is thought to be safe to curious dogs, which makes it the perfect indoor plant for the entire year.
Does the Easter cactus need to be in the sun?
Easter cacti, like other holiday cacti, like strong light but not direct sunlight because it will burn their leaves. Since they aren’t finicky, your Easter cactus should be OK for the most of the year if the climate in your home seems comfortable (more on temps later!).
Are Easter cacti simple to maintain?
If you want to add a little color to your house or garden, the Easter cactus is a great option, especially around the Easter holiday when this tropical cactus is noted for its stunning and profusion of star-shaped blooms. Flowers of this native to the Brazilian jungles range from white to scarlet to purple. The Easter cactus is well known for having a long lifespan and being simple to grow, making it a popular choice for both novice and seasoned houseplant enthusiasts.
Is it necessary to wet my Easter cactus?
Mist frequently to keep the air damp Every day, mist the plant with water to keep the humidity level high. Alternately, put the plant in a moist area of the house like the kitchen or bathroom.
My Easter cactus is withering; why?
Too much or too little water, insufficient sunlight, low humidity levels in your home, or too low temperatures are the major causes of your Easter cactus’s demise. Your cactus can be restored to health if you can make accommodations for all of these factors.
Provide strong indirect sunshine, maintain constant soil moisture while the plant is actively growing (decrease watering in winter), and maintain high relative humidity around the plant for the best possible care of Easter cactus. After the petals fade, give your plant a month of dry rest, and in January–November, provide cool nighttime temperatures to encourage blooming.
When ought my Easter cactus to be repotted?
Bright light, but not direct sunshine, is excellent for these plants. They require colder temperatures than desert cactus do, even during the day, and can bloom for months in temps as low as 55 to 60 degrees F. (13-16 C.).
Maintain a little mist on the soil and let it dry completely before watering it again. Every two years in the spring, repotting is required for proper Easter cactus care. The plants appreciate being confined to their pots, but repot the plant with fresh soil.
After the blooming season, fertilize once a month with 10-10-10 or a fertilizer with a low nitrogen content.
If your house is dry, add some humidity. Put the plant on a saucer with some water and pebbles in it. The air around the plant will become more humid due to evaporation.
Should Easter cactus be deadheaded?
Other withered flowers cling to the shrub and can rot after a downpour. You’ll become aware of which to observe in this scenario after witnessing this occur several times. Should you deadhead cactus blooms? Yes, it is advisable to get rid of flowers right away in this case when the bloom has faded.
What can I do to make my Easter lily cactus bloom?
If grown from seed, the Easter lily cactus can take up to four years to bloom. Sometimes the plant is dwarfed by the size of the blossoms. These cacti often grow well and can withstand temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Put this cactus in full sun or light shade, with well-draining soil. The species can withstand droughts and just needs a little irrigation in the sweltering summer months.
Which type of soil is ideal for Easter cacti?
Hatioragaertneri and Rhipsalidopsisrosea are the two plant species referred to as “Easter cactus” (unresolved synonyms include Rhipsalidopsisgaertneri, Epiphyllum gaertneri, and Epiphyllopsis gaertneri) (synonym Hatiorarosea). The former has smaller pink blossoms while the latter has larger reddish-orange blooms. There have been many hybrids created with various flower shapes and colors, but they can all be handled the same way.
Easter cactus gets its name from its early spring flowers. The Easter cactus develops as an epiphyte in the top levels of trees in its native habitat in tropical Brazil, and this gives you a tip about how to grow the plant in your own home.
Easter Cactus prefers temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and fall, and 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. It prefers strong light but not direct sunlight. You may either buy commercial bromeliad soil mix or prepare your own by combining potting soil and pumice or perlite in a 1:1 ratio. It also enjoys a humid environment, so grow it in one by using a humidity tray or mist it frequently with water.
You must carefully adhere to a watering and temperature control routine in order to encourage your Easter cactus to bloom again:
- Start letting the soil dry out in the fall and only watering the plant as needed to keep it from shriveling. Additionally, relocate the plant to a cool area (45 – 55F.). Late winter will see the formation of buds, and early spring will see the plant flower.
- After flowering, relocate the plant to a warm area (75–80F) and start watering it again. Between waterings, let the soil become completely dry. During the summer growing season, the plants may get soluble, balanced fertilizer every week or two. Plants will grow healthier if they are repotted every year or two.
Are Easter cacti toxic?
The new growth needs to be hardened up before it can flower, which is accomplished by being exposed to the weather outside.
While the Easter Cactus’ buds won’t form until early the next year, the Christmas Cactus makes it easy to tell when it’s had enough by displaying you its buds. Instead than relying on the plant to provide you with visual cues, you’ll just have to remember to bring it inside as Autumn/Fall approaches.
After bringing it inside, place it in a cool (7 C to 15 C / 45 F to 59 F) well-lit area of your house to rest. In such a location, it won’t require as much water, but watch out that the soil doesn’t entirely dry out.
the days start getting a little bit longer and warmer (February – March). Typically, flowering takes place from late March until late May.
This is what you should ideally see a few weeks before Easter if you followed our guidelines above.