How to Care for A Christmas Cactus: Do’s and Don’ts
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi), known for its eye-catching, tubular flowers that bloom in the cold winter, is a popular plant that brightens up homes during the holiday season. Caring for Christmas cactus, while not technically hard, does require adherence to specific care guidelines to make it bloom as you expect. How to care for this holiday star? Here's your ultimate guide to Christmas cactus care.
Table of Contents
Quick facts before we start:
- Botanical Name: Schlumbergera x buckleyi
- Height/Spread: 12 inches (30 cm)
- Sun Exposure: Filtered or indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic soil
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 9–11
Are You Having the Right Christmas Cactus
While the term ‘Christmas cactus’ is often used collectively, there are three distinct types when discussing holiday cacti: the Christmas cactus, the Thanksgiving cactus, and the Easter cactus. How to make sure what you have is the Christmas cactus? Here’s a breakdown of Christmas cactus vs Thanksgiving cactus vs Easter cactus. Each has subtle differences in leaf shape, blooming periods, and flower structures.
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Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)
Thanksgiving cactus is often mislabeled as a Christmas cactus due to its earlier blooms and widespread sale in stores during the holiday season.
- Blooming Time: Late November (around Thanksgiving).
- Leaf Shape: Jagged, pointed claw-like segments with sharp edges.
- Flower Shape: Tubular and slightly asymmetrical, growing horizontally.
- Flower Colors: Shades of pink, red, white, orange, or salmon.
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Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi or Schlumbergera bridgesii)
- Blooming Time: December, closer to Christmas.
- Leaf Shape: Rounded, smooth, notched edges without the ‘claws’ seen in Thanksgiving cacti.
- Stem Growth: Stems droop and arch over gracefully, giving the plant a cascading appearance.
- Flower Shape: More symmetrical than Thanksgiving cactus flowers, with magenta-to-pink petals and distinctive purple anthers (pollen-bearing part).
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Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri, formerly Schlumbergera gaertneri)
Easter cacti are more particular about care, requiring slightly higher humidity and light levels than Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti.
- Blooming Time: Spring, typically around Easter (March to May).
- Leaf Shape: Rounded segments with slight scalloping and tiny bristles at the edges.
- Flower Shape: Distinctive star-shaped flowers that open fully and symmetrically.
- Flower Colors: Pink, red, white, orange, and sometimes purple.
Caring for Christmas Cactus in All Means
The Christmas cactus is an epiphytic plant that originates from the lush tropical rainforests of Brazil. In its natural habitat, it thrives on tree branches and among rocky crevices, utilizing aerial roots to cling to its hosts while drawing moisture and nutrients from the decaying organic matter surrounding it.
Due to its sensitivity to cold temperatures, the Christmas cactus is predominantly cultivated as a houseplant. For many enthusiasts, the goal of nurturing a Christmas cactus revolves around encouraging it to flower in time for Christmas. Here’s what to look out for:
Light Requirements for Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus thrives in conditions that mimic its natural habitat, which is characterized by filtered sunlight beneath the forest canopy. When cultivating this plant indoors, the optimal location is an east-to-southeast facing window, where it can enjoy gentle morning sunlight.
To encourage blooming, especially 6 weeks before the holiday season, the Christmas cactus requires a long period of uninterrupted darkness each night. Aim for 13-14 hours of total darkness, which can be achieved by placing the plant in a dim room or covering it with a breathable bag or box. During its winter blooming phase, provide your Christmas cactus with 4 to 6 hours of diffused light each day.
Optimal Temperature & Humidity for Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus thrives in a warm environment, ideally between 60°F and 70°F (15°C to 21°C). While it can tolerate cooler temperatures down to 50°F (10°C), it prefers a balmy atmosphere, especially during its peak growth period from April to September, when temperatures should be maintained between 70°F and even a bit higher.
To encourage blooming, the Christmas cactus requires specific temperature conditions. After the buds have formed, they benefit from cooler nighttime temperatures ranging from 55°F to 65°F (13°C to 18°C) and should be exposed to at least 13 hours of darkness each night.
In addition to temperature, Christmas cacti thrive in higher humidity levels, ideally between 50% and 60%. To enhance humidity, use a plant humidifier for your Christmas cactus. This added moisture helps create a favorable environment for the plant, especially in dry indoor conditions during winter.
Watering Your Christmas Cactus
The watering needs of the Christmas cactus differ significantly from those of traditional desert cacti. Native to tropical regions, these plants thrive in environments that experience seasonal rainfall and moisture from dew rather than extreme dryness.
During the active growth period in spring and summer, the Christmas cactus requires frequent and thorough watering every 14 to 21 days. It’s essential to allow the soil to dry out somewhat between watering sessions, but avoid letting it dry completely. A good indicator that it’s time to water is when the leaves begin to pucker or shrivel.
In contrast, during the dormant cooler months, the plant needs less moisture. Watering should be reduced, allowing the soil to dry out more between intervals.
Soil Requirements
The Christmas cactus thrives best in a well-draining soil environment, as it does not tolerate the conditions where the roots sit in waterlogged soil. To ensure optimal growth and health, it's essential to use a soil mix that facilitates good drainage. You can go for either one:
- Cactus mix: A commercial soil mix specifically designed for cacti and succulents is ideal for Christmas cacti. These mixes are formulated to provide the right balance of drainage and aeration.
- Homemade mix: If you prefer to create your own potting medium, combine three parts of general-purpose houseplant potting soil with two parts perlite or vermiculite.
Additionally, the Christmas cactus prefers a slightly acidic soil pH, ideally between 5.5 and 6.2. Adding peat moss to your mix can help achieve this acidity, enhancing the overall fertility of the soil.
Fertilizing Your Christmas Cactus
To promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms in your Christmas cactus, use a general-purpose liquid or granular fertilizer with a balanced NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) ratio, such as 20-20-20.
Tips: Always dilute the fertilizer to half-strength before application. The Christmas cactus has a fine and shallow root system that can be easily damaged by over-fertilization.
Pruning and Shaping Christmas Cactus
Christmas cacti don’t necessarily need pruning, really. However, if you want to keep the plant in shape and perhaps stimulate some new growth, prune right after the plant blooms, typically in January or February, as it enters a new growth period. You can also prune from after bloom until late spring without harming the plant.
To prune, gently twist the stems between segments or use a sharp, sterilized knife or scissors to cut them off.
How to Get Christmas Cactus to Bloom
One of the key reasons people love the Christmas cactus is its stunning flowers. To encourage blooming, it’s important to mimic the natural winter environment of this plant. Around 6 weeks before you want it to bloom (typically in late fall), reduce the amount of light it receives each day. Place your cactus in complete darkness for 12-14 hours each night, for about 6 weeks. This ‘dark period’ signals the plant to prepare for blooming.
Check our ultimate guide for more details: How to Get Christmas Cactus to Bloom
Propagating Christmas Cactus
The ideal time to propagate a Christmas cactus is one to two months after it has finished blooming, which lies somewhere in spring and early summer. It’s best to avoid propagation during the fall when the plant is setting buds and actively flowering. To propagate a Christmas cactus through stem cuttings:
- Take cuttings consisting of 2-3 segments from healthy stems.
- Allow the cut ends to callus for a few hours or overnight to prevent rot.
- Plant the cuttings about 1 inch deep in well-draining cactus or succulent soil.
- Water lightly and place in a warm, bright location (around 65-75°F or 18-24°C).
- Roots should develop in about 4-8 weeks.
Common Problems with Christmas Cacti
Even with delicate care for the plants, you may still encounter some unexpected troubles that happen to Christmas cacti, including:
Fungal Disease
Fungal infections can manifest as yellow, brown, or black spots on the stems. These diseases often result from excessive moisture, insufficient light, or poor airflow. To combat this, increase light exposure and ensure the plant is not overwatered.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs can be a significant pest issue, feeding on the plant's nutrients and producing honeydew, which attracts ants and leads to sooty mold. Regularly check for these pests, identifiable by their waxy coating, and treat infestations with insecticidal soap.
Root Rot
Overwatering can cause root rot, leading to suffocated and decaying roots. To prevent this, check the soil moisture before watering. If root rot occurs, remove the plant from its pot, trim away damaged roots, and repot in fresh soil.
Necrotic Spot Virus
This virus appears as yellow-brown spots on leaves and is transmitted by thrips. If detected, use insecticides and repot the plant in clean soil to give it a chance to recover.
Stunted Growth
If your Christmas cactus exhibits stunted or distorted growth, inspect for mealybugs. These pests feed on sap and leave behind a sticky residue that can lead to mold.
Yellowing or Wilting Leaves
Yellowing leaves or wilting can indicate thrip damage or environmental stress due to inadequate light or water. Check for thrips and correct watering practices as needed.
Color Changes in Leaves
Leaves turning red or pink may be a sign of too much sun exposure. If this occurs, simply move the plant slightly away from the light source.
Bud Drop
Buds falling off can be challenging to diagnose but may result from improper watering, humidity levels, temperature fluctuations, or over-fertilization. Assess these factors to identify the issue.
Flower Drop
Premature wilting and dropping of flowers are often caused by underwatering but can also stem from low humidity or sudden temperature changes. Water carefully to avoid overcorrection.
General Wilting
Wilting is typically linked to incorrect watering practices—either overwatering or underwatering can lead to this issue.
Leaf Drop
Excess moisture is a common cause of leaf drop, particularly if accompanied by yellowing leaves. Sudden temperature changes can also contribute.
By being aware of these potential problems and their solutions, you can help ensure your Christmas cactus remains healthy and vibrant throughout the year.
The Bottom Line
By following these simple Christmas cactus care tips, you can enjoy vibrant blooms year after year and ensure that your plant stays healthy and happy. Whether you're a seasoned plant lover or a beginner, the Christmas cactus is a wonderful addition to your home. With a little attention to its light, water, temperature, and soil needs, you’ll have a stunning holiday decoration that brings joy during the festive season.
Have you tried growing a Christmas cactus before, or are you planning to get one this year?
