What is a Christmas Cactus?
Christmas Cactus can be found anywhere and everywhere during holiday season- and for good reason! These plants are loved for their long, hanging branches of glossy green segments that bloom with stunning flowers in a wide variety of colors! Christmas Cacti are part of the succulent family, and with the proper care, they can live as long as 100 years! They get their name from the time of year that they bloom- Christmas time! There are several species that are similar but bloom at different times of the year (Thanksgiving Cactus, Easter Cactus, etc.).
How To Care For A Christmas Cactus
How much water does a Christmas cactus need?
Christmas Cactus is pretty low maintenance when it comes to watering. When your plant is not blooming, water when the first 1” of soil is dry (Usually about once every 7-10 days). When your cactus begins to bloom, keep the soil evenly moist and mist the branches and flowers often to keep it looking its best!
How much light does a Christmas Cactus need?
Christmas Cactus prefers lots of bright, but indirect sunlight. Flowering plants typically need 4-6 hours of sunlight per day, so place near a sunny window, but never let it sit in direct sun, because it will scorch the delicate leaves and flowers.
What is the best temperature for a Christmas Cactus?
Christmas Cacti perform best in temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
How often should a Christmas Cactus be fertilized?
Throughout the year, fertilize your plant once per month with a standard houseplant food. When your Christmas Cactus starts to form buds, feed it with a high potassium fertilizer once every 2 weeks to encourage an abundance of flowers!
How do I make my Christmas Cactus bloom?
What many people do not know is that Christmas Cacti needs 12-14 hours of complete darkness to bloom. We know that sounds backwards, but for optimum blooming conditions, Christmas Cactus prefers colder, darker settings to set the buds, and once that happens, you should introduce it to warmer temperatures and more sunlight, while continuing to fertilize every two weeks.
How often should Christmas Cactus be repotted?
Repot your Christmas Cactus once per year after the blooming period.
How do I propagate a Christmas Cactus?
Propagating a Christmas Cactus is extremely easy! Just take a cutting at the end of one of the segments, and dip the end into rooting hormone or honey and plant it in a small pot. Place the pot in a sunny windowsill and keep the soil moist, the cutting should develop roots in just a few short weeks!
Are Christmas Cactus safe for pets?
Christmas Cactus are not poisonous to humans, cats or dogs!