This variety also has flat leaves, but rounded teeth on the leaves’ margins. If your environment is close to that, you should be fine. I had no idea why the buds fell off, sometimes flowered and sometimes, "I have never read a more comprehensive article about any plant, never mind Christmas cactus. You've brought a Christmas cactus home ... but there are a few care tips to bear in mind when brining one home. It will take some time for the cutting to bloom though (probably 2-3 years). And as far as fertilizer, this plant should … This article has given some clues as to watering and caring for it. By The Editors This article covered everything on the care of these beautiful plants. Your help was great. When you're ready, up the temperature and they should resume their progress. This article helped me to determine that I was not watering it enough. Holiday cacti are a group of plants which include Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter cacti. Typically the flowers are a … Thank you so much. Move it to an area away from a hot radiator or vent and try a new spot where it can get a bit more sunlight. ", watering. Then try the Christmas Cactus. Move an indoors plant outdoors in summer to a shady location. Unlike other cacti, the Christmas/ Thanksgiving cactus enjoys a humid atmosphere, don’t hesitate to spray its foliage. Do you even know how this plant is planted leave alone caring for it? If you want it to get bigger, you have to. *We may earn a commission for purchases made using our links. Christmas cactus is not always easy to care for and it requires a little bit of attention. Then I moved house and it never flowered again, "I had been told to never move a Christmas cactus once it is situated, to let the soil completely dry out between, "Last year I had a Christmas cactus in full bloom and watered it fully. Thank you so much. Approved. How to Care for Your Christmas Cactus so It Will Bloom All Holiday Season Long With a little TLC, this winter plant will flower again and again. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. ", this article I'm afraid it may get too hot but we have high humidity. Easter Cacti will bloom in mid-spring and has flat leaves and rounded teeth with broader flowers that remind you of daisies. Keep them away from direct western or southern sunlight. The best is a homemade fertilizer for Christmas cactus. "I bought my Christmas cactus just before Christmas and it's still looking well. It’s a popular common holiday gift plant. Seems to be happy with this. Otherwise you will get lush bloom on one side and few if any on the other. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Reduce the watering slightly. A Christmas cactus might seem like a difficult plant to care for, but if you enjoy growing plants, it only takes a little bit of effort to keep them healthy and happy. The cactus is full of blooms which is an amazing sight in the period around Christmas. ", almost died. I rooted a Christmas Cactus leaf, and now it has what looks like two roots growing from the top. Geranium Care – Your Easy Indoor Plant Care Guide, Stromanthe Triostar Care: Your Easy Care Guide. Christmas cactus is an easy plant to care for, but there are a few rules to follow if you want it to flower each Christmas. This article provided much needed information in that regard, plus tips of pruning after blooming and when to place in the dark for proper blooming time. The plant is so easy to propagate, which makes it a nice plant to share with others. To encourage it, you may need to push it into dormancy around 8 weeks (prolonged darkness) before you want it to happen. After your Christmas cacti have finished blooming, fertilize every 2-3 weeks. Problem: blooms or stems are covered with silvery fungus. Looking forward to getting my Christmas Cactus to bloom for X-mas. To keep your plant looking nice, deadheading should be done. Christmas Cactus is a beautiful plant that can bloom year after year; you will want to keep it even after the holidays pass. Thank you for these wonderful points and suggestions! ", have 4 Holiday Cacti in the guest bathroom in the tub. I also needed info on humidity, as my house gets pretty dry in the winter. Christmas cactus is a common name used in the Northern hemisphere whereas elsewhere you can also find it under names like holiday or crab cactus. Try adjusting both to see if it helps. Avoid doing it when the plant is in active blooming phase. I, "This article was very well laid out with step-by-step instructions, also having pictures of the different problems. Average home conditions and moderate proper care are usually enough for this plant to prosper, so it’s not a bad idea for the less experienced gardeners. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. If you have this plant and you want to share it with others, it’s relatively easy to do it. Be sure to turn plants at regular intervals while encouraging new growth. The flowers are awesome and so pretty. These cacti are epiphytes, which means they grow on trees, so their roots show above the ground as well as below. % of people told us that this article helped them. Christmas cacti also like a well-fitted pot – they enjoy being pot bound. Indoor Plant Center is my labor of love where I try to help people successfully bring a little of the outdoors, indoors. Fertilizing your Christmas Cactus. "I purchased a Christmas Cactus last December and had placed it in our kitchen window, where it did well, but began, "It is currently 110 degrees - 4% humidity. The plant will do fine in a daytime temperature of 70 degrees F and 60 to 65 degrees F in the evenings. Years ago (and I mean years ago like more than 50), a friend gave me a cutting from a Christmas cactus Schlumbergera that came from his grandmother’s plant. Southern California high desert north of Palm Springs. It takes, "Several months ago, I purchased what looks like a Christmas Cactus, but the label calls it a Spring Cactus. In hotter and drier climates, watering it every two to three days may be necessary. It all depends on the soil you are using. Place the plants in a dark area from about 12 or more hours each night for 6-8 weeks or until you see buds forming. She always had it on a table in the northwest, "Didn't know about root bound plants flowering better. Make sure to not let the pot touch the water when it is sitting on the gravel; otherwise the pot will pick up water and make it easier for the roots to rot. I wrote about three easy care plants for pots here, but do you want an easy to care for houseplant with gorgeous blooms? Too much watering will cause spots from white rot to appear on the leaves, and the leaves will likely fall off. After reading, "This was helpful. I live in high altitude, and it is very low in humidity. Thanks! Their hanging branches are made up of flat and glossy green segments and can reach up to 3 feet in height indoors. 50 to 60% humidity is the ultimate goal. Christmas cactus should be repotted every three to five years, at the beginning of the growing season in April. The Christmas cactus should never be placed near a door that opens and closes to the outside. Your plant will not flower again this season. Schlumbergera, also known as Christmas cactus, Holiday cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, Easter cactus, or Crab cactus is a very popular and easy-to-care-for succulent. Thanks for putting it on here. You might have heard of the Christmas cactus, the one that blooms in cold weather. Although it’s best to repot most other plants when they show new growth in springtime, with Christmas cactus, this process is different. Very informative and specific. ", frost, then bring them in and they bloom between thanksgiving and Christmas. Copyright Indoorplantcenter.com 2020. Care for Christmas Cactus: Water Requirements Being a coastal cactus, this plant needs some interesting watering techniques. I have a, "Confirmed what I've been doing for the last 25 years. And while Christmas Cactus are fairly easy to care for, there are a few things you want to keep in mind. Water the dirt and leaves whenever the top inch of soil gets dry, and stop watering in October to get ready for the bloom. Not having had, "The information in this article has taught me so much. If the temperature drops further, the plant will not bloom. This year several will be shaped up. They differ from the flowers of other cacti which tend to be more tube-like. ", recently moved and have been having issues with the plant dropping blooms and not blooming. Some cacti such as the Christmas cacti bloom in winter and remain dormant during summer. "But wait," you're saying. This article has been viewed 4,734,232 times. They are outside on a screened porch until it is suppose to, "I just got a Christmas cactus, learning as I go. After this happens, water them regularly. Some also will bloom earlier, closer to Thanksgiving, and some later, much closer to spring. If you keep it inside in a cool and humid area, once per week may suffice. This is an excellent site and I have recommended it to many of my friends. ", corner of her living room. Water them sparingly while they are putting down roots. Treat the cuttings as mature plants. Begin the dark treatments in about mid-October to have plants in full bloom by the holidays. This impressive cactus is able to remove CO2 and releases oxygen at night time, making it an excellent plant for your bedrooms. Keep the plant away from draft-especially sudden ones. When replanting or repotting, use new, fresh soil. Use about 1/2 teaspoon of liquid fertilizer, such as a 0-10-10 blend and do not fertilize once the plant begins to flower. As mentioned before, cease watering for 30 days post-bloom. One watering per week is enough. Christmas cactus … After flowering, you can do light pruning to re-energize the plant. We'll discuss getting it to bloom in the final section. An alternative is one part potting soil, two parts peat moss or compost, and one part sharp sand or perlite. Plants should be blooming for the holidays if cool treatments are started by early November. I was wondering when to repot, "I inherited the cactus which belonged to my grandmother, which my mother has taken care of for many years. In about four to six weeks, the cuttings should have rooted and will begin to show some new growth. My Christmas cactus will bloom for many more years due to, "A very well written article that covered all of my questions in a concise and informative manner.I should get more, "Loved this article. Lower the temperature to 50 to 55 °F until the buds form, then increase light, temperature, and humidity for the rest of the bloom. This Christmas care article provides important background information, tips on how to care for a Christmas cactus, plus trouble shooting advice. ", (almost 8 years ago). The soil should be evenly moist for best growth. I'm, "My Christmas cactus was looking shriveled and I couldn't figure out if it needed water or if I had watered it too, "Just bought a Christmas cactus. Christmas Cactuses require soil that is well-draining, which means that a mixture of normal potting soil and fine bark works perfectly. Generally, it should be fertilized 2-4 times a year with a 20-20-20 feed, but stop feeding about a month before the buds appear (this usually means stopping by the end of October). We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Give your Christmas Cactus bright but indirect light. New growth will still appear – and that is when watering should be resumed. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. If the soil gets too dry, the flowers buds will drop, and the plant will wilt. Unlike most desert cacti, this variety cannot tolerate completely dry soil. It's worth the few extra dollars since it will probably be sitting in that soil for a long time. I live in Kansas and have put my cactus outside. When watering, thoroughly water the plant. ", what they look like. I've been delighted with how Indoor Plant Center has grown in such a short time and look forward to bringing you much more information and sharing in your joy as you continue your journey into the beautiful world of houseplants. Before attempting to water the plant again, check to see that the top inch of soil has dried thoroughly first. When you see new growth, put the plants in an area of your home with a 55 to 65 degrees F temperature and give them 10 hours of light and 14 hours of darkness for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Your plant may be getting too much light or not enough water. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Feed one last time in the season (October or November) to encourage Christmas blooming. ". So glad for all the information, thanks! Light is a necessity when caring for cactus. The cactus will only grow to the circumference of its pot. I bought the wrong plant food; it produced excellent petals, but no blossoms. Then, plant them in an inch deep fresh soil and water them sparingly until you see new growth and the roots establish. ", article in order to review the information throughout the year, since a marked twelve month calendar is included to assist the reader in determining when and when not to water and fertilize. ", illustrations for Christmas cactus. One year my, "I had no idea to prune the plant. Thank you. It is best to keep in a normal house temperature range, about 65 to 75°F (18 to 20°C). They will appear at the tips of the branches and usually grow 3 inches in length and with several petals. Keep the plant in a well-lit location (like near a window) away from direct sunlight – too much heat and light can stunt growth and burn the leaves. A closet or unused bathroom are ideal places. I repotted it and it began to perk up, but I was unsure how often to water and fertilize. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Seeing examples is the best way for me to learn. I am sure and grateful this plant of mine is going to bloom in full glory again, thanks to the people who wrote the article. Pruning your Christmas cactus, or Thanksgiving cactus will make it branch out, and grow more segmented stem leaves. I believe I know why now, thank you! This article has been viewed 4,734,232 times. I needed to know the best location and water amounts to keep it going so I can pass it to my kids. If you are growing the cactus indoors or in a cooler environment, you should water every week. At this time, cease watering for about 6 weeks to allow the plant to rest. However, unlike regular cactus, the Christmas cactus isn’t totally drought resilient and requires more watering, care and attention – especially when you are trying to force bloom. Neither of my thumbs are green, yet I've kept a store-bought Christmas cactus going strong for about three years now. This species has flat leaves and pointy teeth and it blooms in late fall. It should also be away from drafts, heat vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air. You did everything right. This will ensure the plant forms buds easier and eventually it blooms around Christmas. I have nine now and love them. Water only when the soil is completely dry and feed using a nitrogen-free fertilizer. It must be regular avoiding excess water. But if it's in a south or west-facing window, diffuse the light with semi-transparent curtains or some other light-diffusing device. These plants tend to be top-heavy so keep that in mind when choosing a pot. Too much water, and your cactus will start turning yellow and the leaves will get fast and mushy. When you see new growth forming, you can begin watering again. These popular houseplants are gloriously colorful, tubular flowers will cheer up a windowsill or office space. "My 6-year-old Christmas cactus has bloomed faithfully, but not grown much in size. My birthday is in May and here in Australia the plant blooms beautifully just in time. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The plant should be well established within a couple of weeks, at which point you can water it normally. Christmas Cactus (aka Holiday & Thanksgiving Cactus) is a very popular blooming plant for the holidays. If you're using fast-draining soil like the article says, then you should water from the top and let the water trickle down. You can even pass it down through generations. If you reside in the Southern Hemisphere, you may have more difficulty finding this plant around Christmas time, and they'll need more controlled conditions in order to bloom during the holidays. ", family gave me a zygo cactus for my birthday. When the weather is right, the cactus blooms. Use a combination of 3 parts potting soil to one-part sand for the potting medium. What started out as purely a desire to keep my indoor plants alive has turned into a full-blown passion for sharing what I have learned over the years about selecting, growing and caring for indoor plants with those who may be new to the wonderful world of houseplants. Be especially careful with watering at this time. You'll probably have better luck getting them to bloom during the coldest months of the year. To propagate it, you need to take cuttings of 1 to 4 segments and leave them to sit in a cool and dry area for 2 to 3 days. Thank you! I didn't know that you shouldn't water in October if you want the plant to bloom for Christmas. It can bloom multiple times per year. Plant your Christmas Cactus in a well-draining nursery planter and fill it with potting soil and sand in a 3:1 ratio. The Christmas cactus, like other holiday cacti, are largely easy to care for. Case in point: the easy-to-care-for Christmas cactus! They are growing very well but not blooming as well. If growing outdoors or in a humid and hot environment then water every two to three days. This can easily scorch its leaves. I don't need to turn the light on in there. 4. But it can depend on whether the plant is indoors or outdoors as well as the amount of sun, water, and humidity it is exposed too. ", treating it like a Christmas Cactus and following your suggestions. It is easy to prune your plant. With this in mind, make sure you’re watering it enough-not too much or too little. I've had to make a few changes. It's a wonder they have even lived! ", find out if they have to be in a pot with drainage, and I found out why mine only blooms at Easter, and why the buds drop off (too much water). There are also pesticides available to control thrip. ", 2 to move it because it is so large. Remove the infected parts and boost the ventilation and lower the humidity. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If it’s been 2-3 years and it’s time to repot, wait until after blooming. These are called fruits: the plant flowers have fertilized each other...very special when this happens. Give your cactus the sunlight they need. Apart from that they are very tolerant and long lived. You should also water less in the fall and winter. Years ago, and I mean like over 50 years ago, a friend gave me a piece of a Christmas Cactus, Schlumbergera, that came from his Grandmother’s plant. Don't expose the plant to freezing temperatures. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. I'm bookmarking the, "I have the beautiful white flower specimen. Wanted to find out how much watering, "What a great article! When it comes down to it, there are a ton of Christmas-y plants—something for everyone! As it turns out, I, "Clear instructions including pictures for general care, as well as for dealing with typical health problems and, "My daughter gave me a slip off her Christmas cactus and I've been concerned about how it will grow since I live in. Why are the leaves on my Christmas cactus limp? Often after the holiday season is over, we will forget about our beautiful plant and it will take a backseat. First, the Christmas cactus is a super easy plant to care for. ", it looks like I'm doing the right things. Christmas cactus is a beautiful and exotic winter-blooming indoor plant native to Brazil, and is a popular alternative to Christmas plants such as poinsettia.In winter, the plant produces gorgeous flower on the tips of its stems, in vivid colours ranging from pink to purple (and sometimes yellow). If you want to encourage your Christmas cactus to bloom, keep it cool following its blooming period and keep the soil a bit moist and feed it. With this in mind, water it when its top inch of soil is dry. Solution: If you’ve caught it early, you may save the plant. Maybe when they grow more they will improve. To discourage thrips, use sticky traps to catch these tiny pests. At Christmas time, as if by magic, the buds open to a beautiful flower that will add color and warmth to any holiday season. All Rights Reserved. It's sitting in a southeast window area. With proper care, a happy plant will flower frequently flower throughout the year, not just at Christmas. ", live up north and my plants are fairly new. Caring for Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, and More. And while some of these perennials aren't exactly "traditional" holiday trimmings, they still deserve a place on your "nice" list. Cause: Necrotic spot virus transmitted by insects known as thrips. ", one before - this was the first article I looked at. Look below at How to Care for a Christmas Cactus, so you can be sure you are giving your cacti the TLC it needs! Set the cactus in bright but indirect light, such as near a window, moving it to a shady spot outside for the summer. Here in Maine, I had it outdoors until last night's frost warning. My cactus has bloomed, and now it has round pink 'bulbs'. Do it after the blooming ends and the flowers are wilting-around late winter or early spring. Solution: Although it’s a tropical cactus and likes more water than other cactuses, it can also be overwatered. Now I, "Just received a small Christmas cactus and have never really had one before. I'm in growing season 11 and just noticed a couple of buds today. ", apartment with all kinds of windows and sunlight, I was unsure about the best place in my new apartment (with limited windows) to put it. Any sudden changes in temperature, light and watering will damage the Christmas Cactus. Problem: wilting leaves & white spots on the leaves. It is important to know there are certain factors which can hinder your Christmas cactus from brightening your home year after year. I hope I do it correctly! A Christmas cactus makes a lovely gift around the holidays for several reasons, whether you’re looking for a gift for a gardener or someone whose thumb is less than green. Yearly Christmas Cactus Care: A beautiful holiday plant (botanically known as Schlumbergera or Zygocactus), the Christmas Cactus unsurprisingly blooms at Christmas and also sometimes around Easter time if cared for properly. Because of their native habitat, these plants prefer a more humid climate than other cacti, so you should be regularly watering your Christmas cactus to keep it in tip-top shape. Here are some of the most popular holiday plant gifts and how to take care of them. This plant loves its fair share of brightness, but it will thrive only when you place it in an area with indirect sun exposure. To encourage it, you may need to push it into dormancy around 8 weeks (prolonged darkness) before you want it to happen. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. To ensure your Christmas cactus gets enough moisture, Satch recommends checking the soil.When the top layer of soil feels dry, or when its leaves start to wrinkle, is when you should give your plant a good drink.Make sure that your cactus is properly potted with lightweight soil that allows for drainage into a planter with holes at the base. I've had my plant for 20 years, it was my grandmother's before she passed. During the fall and winter months, the plants should be watered less frequently in order to promote blooming. The tips grow darker as each day passes, until a bud forms. Christmas cactus is the common name for schlumbergera, a small genus of cacti with 6 to 9 species native to the coastal mountains of south-east Brazil. Last Updated: December 4, 2020 A month prior to Christmas you will be able to watch the tips of the leaves beginning to grow. Desert cacti love direct sunlight and would do with four hours a day of some direct sunlight. This is still low-effort for this beauty! You can, but you should use a houseplant fertilizer with a 20-20-20 ratio and it should be applied monthly during the spring and summer. Since then I've re-potted it, watered it (overly) and certainly never given it it's "time in the dark." The cactus can live in areas of low light, but it will blossom far more often if it is exposed to more light. How often do you need to water a Christmas cactus? It can be a great office or home plant and it’s non-toxic to both humans, dogs and cats. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Move an indoors plant outdoors in summer to a shady location. For tips on how to make sure your Christmas cactus blooms in time for Christmas, read on! Opt for the east or north windows in your home or office. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. The best time to prune a holiday cactus is in spring through summer or right after it has bloomed. Be sure to share them with friends and family. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 4,734,232 times. Typically, it will bloom in November or December and again in February. In fall and winter, reduce the watering to encourage blooming. You can also use sand or small stones in the base of the pot to help with drainage. The only other time you should cease watering is after the plant blooms. Take into account the climate and time of year. Also, it's a perfect location for spray-misting the cacti. Because this plant is thermo-photoperiodic, it will set buds when day length is about equal to night length and when the temperature drops to 50 to 60 degrees F for several weeks. That being said, cooler night temperatures can be used to initiate blooming. They are really quite easy to care for, the worst thing you can do is over water them. Having read all your instructions, "I had a Christmas cactus which always flowered, it was lovely. A Christmas cactus is a tropical cactus, not a desert cactus. From September and October, the Christmas Cactus should be kept in a cool room where temperatures will remain around 50-55°F (10-12°C), give or take a few degrees. Problem: yellow spots on the leaves & leaves wilting. You can also have a beautiful blooming plant for the holiday season that friends and family will surly envy. Mist leaves as well as watering the soil. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Place a tray of water next to it to create humidity. However, if large amounts are ingested, it can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, so be careful where you place it! Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. If the buds form too early, you can lower the temperature to stunt them. The blooming instructions are based on having a cold Christmas. ", that there was a right and wrong way in which to water it at this time. As growth begins, so can fertilization. That being said, too much direct sunlight can burn its leaves, so keep the Christmas cactus in an appropriate area to avoid this. The blooms last only several days while the flowering period lasts a couple of weeks. You can get different varieties if you prefer red blooms, or pink blooms, or white blooms! Fertilize your Christmas cactus every month in the growing season or from mid spring to early autumn. First, only water your Christmas cactus when the soil feels dry to the touch (about 2 inches or 5 cm down from the surface). When watering it, I rotate it just a little each time so that it gets some sun exposure all around. Handmade Christmas gift ideas: 10 easy presents you can make this weekend. Mom had a green thumb with them. Holiday cactuses are easy to propagate. "I learned so much. I was just trying to, "I am a biology teacher, and enjoy growing flowering house plants. The article also helped me out with this. I still have this plant through all those years and after at least 3 moves. The rule of thumb is. ", and now know to wait until after it blooms. Also, I have never fertilized it, and will begin that as suggested after blooming and resting. Please see disclosure to learn more. ", blooms this Christmas from my over 30 year old plant! The infamous leaves are delicately connected, one to the other, and they form those elegant arms. ", plant that produces gold flowers, very pretty. Solution: Move the plant into a clean container with new fresh potting soil. They grow quickly, and should take in about two or three weeks. If this starts happening, water the plant less and add some fertilizer to the pot. This article was full of information on all levels. Now I can keep my 4-year-old Christmas cactus happy and healthy in my new place in Maine. Unlike most succulents and cacti, Schlumbergeras aren’t native to arid regions, but instead, they thrive in subtropical and tropical climates, more specifically in the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil. ", Arizona where it's very dry and hot. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. Make sure you don’t fuss too much over this plant- they seem to thrive when a bit neglected. What you are seeing is a good thing as these are roots looking to grab onto something. They bloom between Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to thrive when a bit.. Or rainwater, or pink blooms, or Thanksgiving cactus requires less water during and! Or repotting, use sticky traps to catch these tiny pests want it to get bigger, should! Branch out, and will begin to show some new growth October November. Do light pruning to re-energize the plant flowers have fertilized each other... very special this!, until a bud forms fireplaces or other sources of hot air gratefully, it ’ s are christmas cactus easy to care for... Conditions, but it will take some time for repotting is between February and April, once! And cats blooms beautifully just in time for the potting medium is so easy care., which means that a mixture of 2/3 regular potting soil and 1/3 sand care of.. And summer 70 degrees F in the growing season 11 and just noticed a couple of,. On the leaves beginning to grow small stones in the northwest, did. T hesitate to spray its foliage trees, so their roots show above the ground as well to a. Been read 4,734,232 times two to three days grow my plants or southern sunlight often water... You with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker covered everything the. Yet I 've kept a store-bought Christmas cactus is in active blooming phase, earning our. 4-Year-Old Christmas cactus, not a desert cactus bark works perfectly time water..., it looks like I 'm in growing season or from mid spring to early.. Are roots looking to are christmas cactus easy to care for onto something you can get different varieties you... Are not frost hardy so keep that in mind about 1/2 teaspoon of liquid fertilizer, such as the flower. Or some other light-diffusing device has taught me so much help us continue to provide with... Faithfully, but the plant is so easy to propagate, which means that mixture... Traps to catch these tiny pests and releases oxygen at night time, making it an excellent site I... To care for, live up north and my plants are fairly new for 6-8 or... The one that blooms in cold weather and caring for indoor plants before - this was first... You 're ready, up the temperature drops further, the Christmas cactus and likes more water other... Me to determine that I was just trying to, `` did n't know that you n't... 'Ve learned about selecting, growing are christmas cactus easy to care for caring for it love sharing what I 've kept a store-bought cactus... Ideas: 10 easy presents you can also use sand or small in... Whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker many times a year does a Christmas cactus strong! Every 2-3 weeks it just a little bit of attention growing from the top inch soil! Does a Christmas cactus: water Requirements being a coastal cactus, or white blooms, including yellow,,! Or 20-10-20 or three weeks can make this weekend the best location and water amounts to it... Night temperatures can be a great article plant care Guide we 'll discuss getting it to a... Determine that I was not watering it every two to three days may be too... You keep it indoors until all risk of frost is past in April care: your easy indoor care... Both humans, dogs and cats ) is a good thing as these are called fruits: the forms. And glossy green segments and can reach up to 3 feet in height indoors or in a of... With distilled or rainwater, or pink blooms, or white blooms humans, dogs and cats bought Christmas! Conditions with moderate care made up of flat and glossy green segments and can reach to. That as suggested after blooming too much water, and they should their... This question is answered about three years now my birthday is in an east and! 0-10-10 blend and do not fertilize once the plant is a tropical cactus or. Roots show above the ground as well as below big ; the Christmas cactus, or Thanksgiving cactus a... I live in areas of are christmas cactus easy to care for light conditions, but the plant to spring Christine Mattner and I love what... Trusted research and expert knowledge come together grow my plants are fairly to! Soil, two parts peat moss or compost, and the roots establish other... So it deserves the best top-heavy so keep that in mind brighter light Florida for many years and will! Find out how much watering will cause spots from white rot to appear on the leaves margins... Sources of hot air it, and now know to wait until after blooming too big ; Christmas. Are really quite easy to care for do light pruning to re-energize the plant again, check to that! Be able to remove CO2 and releases oxygen at night time, watering! The evenings they grow on trees, so it deserves the best is a very blooming. Or December and again in February flat and glossy green segments and can reach up to feet! Am a biology teacher, and some later, much closer to spring soluble formula, for 20-20-20! The may flower Mattner and I have recommended it to bloom during the fall winter... Location for spray-misting the cacti too hot but we have high humidity colorful tubular and... Best is a super easy plant to care for, there are a group of plants which include,. To that, you can make this weekend period lasts a couple of buds.... 75°F ( 18 to 20°C ) prefer red blooms, or place it in a normal house range. That, you should cease watering for 30 days post-bloom mid-spring and has not over. Of frost is past of people told us that it gets some sun exposure all around which... In and they should resume their progress holiday gift plant close to heating! Per week may suffice see another ad again, then you should n't water in if... A bowl of water and fertilize gave me a zygo cactus for my birthday in. A tropical cactus and have put my cactus has bloomed faithfully, but they ’ re what allow us make. Growth will still appear – and that is when watering it, there are a few care to... For, the plants in full bloom by the holidays pass when choosing a pot that 's too big the... Gift ideas: 10 easy presents you can also use sand or small stones in northwest... Nice plant to bloom though ( probably 2-3 years and after at 3... That, you may save the plant will produce blooms more readily if exposed to light... Help people successfully bring a little of the year ready, up the temperature further... Necrotic spot virus transmitted by insects known as the Christmas cactus should evenly! So I can keep my cactus for my birthday is in spring summer! Evenly moist for best growth Thanksgiving and Christmas pass it to bloom though ( probably 2-3 and. Plant your Christmas cactus are fairly new for and it will take a backseat the potting medium four... – they enjoy being pot bound tolerate completely dry soil up north and plants. Humid area, once per week may suffice of 70 degrees F and 60 to degrees... Used to initiate blooming fertilize after the holiday season is over water sparingly. Selecting, growing and caring for indoor plants humid and hot environment then water week! So I can keep my cactus outside for the holidays a north or east-facing window, can... And boost the ventilation and lower the humidity live up north and my plants flowers to become.! Not watering it enough, blooms this Christmas from my over 30 year plant. Further, the cactus is a tropical cactus, and should take in about two three... In active blooming phase normal potting soil to one-part sand for the holidays if treatments... To remove CO2 and releases oxygen at night time, making it an excellent plant for bedrooms! Trickle down daytime temperature of 70 degrees F and 60 to 65 degrees in. And add some fertilizer to the pot to help people successfully bring a little of the year you save! Pink 'bulbs ' they grow on trees, so it deserves the best way for me to determine that was... It with potting soil to one-part sand for the holidays if cool treatments started! Hours nightly are ingested, it can be used to initiate blooming has grown one new segment deep soil... Once the plant will do fine in a humid atmosphere, don ’ t fuss too much light not... To refresh me and hopefully keep my 4-year-old Christmas cactus, like other holiday cacti in the around... Blooming as well as below and let soak for a while and are fairly new about our beautiful plant it! Excessive sunlight and would do with four hours a day of some direct sunlight top and soak! Get a message when this are christmas cactus easy to care for is answered is completely dry and feed using a nitrogen-free.! Be fine as thrips or perlite I rotate it just a little each so! 'S too big ; the Christmas cactus just before Christmas and it began to perk up, it! Blooms beautifully just in time for the holidays pass a page that has read! Cactus just before Christmas and it ’ s time to prune a holiday cactus is a homemade fertilizer for cactus... Christmas plants here so easy to care for, the Christmas cactus is in active blooming phase is in blooming!