The Christmas cactus is a very popular house plant. It’s known for it’s beautiful tube-shaped pink flowers, long bloom time and easy care, making them a great plant for beginners. With proper Christmas cactus care, you can learn how to make a Christmas cactus bloom.
Christmas cacti are similar to Thanksgiving cacti and Easter cacti, with each plant blooming closest to it’s respective holiday. The three can be distinguished by the shape of their leaves and their flowers.
However, to make matters confusing, Thanksgiving cacti are often mislabeled as Christmas cacti. Fortunately, the care for all three types is the same.
Continue reading below to learn the best Christmas cactus care, how to make a Christmas cactus bloom, and what to do when leaves are falling off your Christmas cactus. For general succulent care tips, click here.
| Name | Schlumbergera bridgessii |
| Sunlight | Moderate sunlight, some direct sun |
| Water | Keep the soil moist while blooming |
| Soil | Well-draining soil that is rich with nutrients |
| Temperature | Warm and humid |
| Propagation | Cuttings |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
Christmas Cactus Temperature
Unlike other cacti, the Christmas cactus does not live in arid, dry environments. They prefer warm, humid climates (in fact, they are found in rainforests). Therefore, it is important to water them more frequently than you would with other types of cactus.
Christmas Cactus Sunlight
These cacti enjoy bright, indirect sun. A temperature between 65°F (18°C) to 70°F (21°C) is ideal.
To trigger blooming in your plant, it should receive 8 to 10 hours of sunlight per day for several weeks. Flowers tend to form at cooler temperatures, around 55°F (13°C) and with brighter light. However, too much light can burn the plant, so it is important to find a balance between the two.
Christmas Cactus Watering
Since these plants are native in humid areas, they require frequent watering, unlike other cacti. The cactus should be watered often during the spring and summer when it is actively growing.
Check the top layer of soil. If it feels dry, soak it with water. The soil should be kept moist. However, do not water too much as that can cause rot.
Christmas Cactus Dormancy
Once the Christmas cactus has stopped flowering (around fall), it begins its dormancy cycle. During this time, reduce the moisture, light and temperature the cactus receives. Christmas cactus needs long periods of darkness to bloom well. During dormancy the temperature should be around 50°F (10°C) and the cactus should receive 12 hours of darkness.
Christmas Cactus Soil
These cacti do best in well-draining soil that is rich in nutrients. Ensure that your pots have drainage holes to release extra water.
How to Propagate Christmas Cactus?
These plants are easily propagated with cuttings from the stem tips, ensuring that that stem is healthy. Allow the tip to dry for 2 days. Then, place in well-draining soil.
The propagated plant’s soil should be moistened frequently, and receive indirect sunlight.
Christmas Cactus Toxicity
This plant is not toxic for humans, cats or dogs.
Leaves Falling off Christmas Cactus? Here’s why:
There are several reasons why your Christmas cactus could be dropping it’s leaves. Some of the most common include the following:
Watering:
Leaves can drop due to both underwatering and overwatering. While Christmas cacti require more water than traditional cacti and enjoy humid climates, they should still be watered sparingly. In general, this means watering once a week, when the top of the soil feels dry. Do not let the soil become completely flooded because this can lead to rot, thus leading to leaves falling off.
Soil:
Like other succulents, Christmas cacti require well-draining and porous soil. If the soil does not drain well, repot the cactus in a succulent soil mix.
Lighting and Heat:
The Christmas cactus requires bright and indirect sunlight. If the Christmas cactus is suddenly moved to an area with harsh, direct sunlight, it could drop leaves.
Furthermore, temperatures that are too high or too low can result in leaves falling off. In the summer aim for a temperature around 70°F (21°C), and in the winter a temperature of around 55°F (13°C).
Learn more about general cactus care here:
Every guide here comes from things I've actually tried on my own plants. Got a plant doing something weird? Send me a photo — I answer every one.
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