Schlumbergera bridgessii, commonly called Christmas cactus, is a very popular houseplant. Schlumbergera are known for their beautiful tube-shaped pink flowers, long bloom time, and easy care, making them a great plant for beginner gardeners. Propagating Christmas cactus in water or soil is quite easy once you know the basic steps, allowing you to share your collection with friends and family for free!
Close relatives of the Christmas cactus include the Thanksgiving cactus and Easter cactus, together known as the holiday cacti. These plants are often misnamed for each other since their appearance is similar. Don’t worry If you are not sure which plant you have, because any of the holiday cacti can be propagated in soil or water and have the same care. Continue reading below to learn more about propagating Christmas cactus.
Want to learn more about Christmas cactus care, watering, and how to fix common problems? Check out the complete Christmas cactus care guide.
Obtaining a Cutting
For best success with propagation, you want to start off with cuttings that are taken from a healthy Christmas cactus with strong stems and plump leaves.
- Clean a sharp knife or garden shears with rubbing alcohol (this will help prevent the spread of any diseases and ensure you have a healthy cutting).
- Take a cutting from the stem, that has about 3 to 5 joined segments (each segment is one of the rectangles). Carefully twist off the segment after cutting and it should come right off.
Propagating Christmas Cactus in Water
Once you have obtained your cutting as described above, follow the following steps to propagate in water:
- Fill a small jar or vase with water. Place the cutting inside, with the cut end facing downwards (you can put the cutting immediately in the water, without waiting for it to callous when propagating in water).
- Keep this jar somewhere warm, with bright, indirect sunlight.
- You will start to see roots grow within a week.
- Allow the plant to grow roots for about 2 months. During this time, keep adding enough water to the jar as necessary to keep the cutting nodes submerged at all times.
- Once your plant has been growing roots for about 2 months, it is ready to be planted into soil. (see below for more information).
Propagating Christmas Cactus in Soil
Once you have your cutting, follow the following steps to propagate in soil:
- Let the cutting dry out and callous over 2 to 3 days. Do not plant while the open area is still wet- this is an “open wound” and your plant needs to heal (callous). Once the open cut has hardened after a few days, it is time to plant!
- If you plant the cutting before it has had time to properly dry out, it will absorb too much water and have trouble growing.
- Do not keep the cutting in direct sun while it dries.
- Follow the steps below to plant your cutting in soil:
Transplanting Christmas Cactus Cutting
Once your plant has been growing roots for about 2 months (if you are using water propagation) or has calloused after a few days (if you are using soil propagation), it is ready to be planted into soil.
- Fill a small terracotta pot with a succulent soil mix. I like to add perlite to my soil to increase drainage. Chose the right size pot, one that is only slightly bigger than the cutting. If the pot is too large, the excess potting soil can drown the roots.
- Plant your cutting in the new pot. I stick my cuttings in about 1.5 inches deep, so that they stand up. Pack soil around the top so that they stay upright.
- Place the pot somewhere warm and humid. Remember, Christmas cacti are different from typical cacti in that they prefer humid environments with slightly moist soil.
- Provide your Christmas cactus with bright, indirect sunlight. Water about once every 3 to 5 days, when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry. Do not let the soil soak or completely dry out- moist soil is ideal.
Temperature and Humidity
Unlike most other cactus plants, Shlumbergera are found in rainforests and prefer warm, humid climates with plenty of moisture. A temperature between 65 to 70 °F (18 to 21 °C) is ideal. Do not keep your cutting in temperatures lower than 50 °F.
When to Propagate Christmas Cactus
Propagate your Christmas Cactus 1 to 2 months after it has finished blooming. Do not propagate during the flowering period, or right before in the fall while the blooms are setting in.
Do I need Rooting Hormone?
Personally, I have not noticed a large difference between when I use rooting hormone and when I do not. If you are curious, try it out and maybe you will have better luck!
Should I fertilize cuttings?
You do not need to fertilize your cuttings while they are rooting, because they do not need it yet.
In summary for propagating Christmas cactus in water and soil…
The Christmas cactus makes a great gift, especially during the holiday season. You can easily multiply and share your collection with how easy Christmas cactus propagation is.
Have any questions about propagating Christmas cactus and other holiday cacti in water or soil that I did not answer? Which method worked better for you? Let me know in the comments below!
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