Discover the secrets to growing Christmas Cactus as a houseplant. Find out the proper watering, lighting and temperatures these plants need to bloom indoors. What to do when the plant stops blooming, and how to get the plant to bloom again next year.
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Today, we have a plant care video on the Christmas cactus, one of my favorite flowering plants. I just love this plant; it is such a beauty! Here’s a pink one, but you can also find them in red, shades of pink, purple, lavender, white, and peach—just the colors of the rainbow. The flowers themselves are absolutely gorgeous.
These plants are long-lived and can grow for many years. My grandmother had one for many years and passed it on to my cousin, where it continues to thrive. Each year, around this time, it blooms indoors and serves as a lovely reminder of her. It’s a great plant to have in your indoor garden during the winter months.
Christmas cacti generally bloom between Thanksgiving and Christmas, brightening up your indoors. Here are some tips to keep this beauty healthy and happy in your indoor garden:
- Temperature: Keep your Christmas cactus in the coolest room of your house. Even though they are from the tropics, they will drop buds if it gets too warm, so avoid heating and air conditioning ducts.
- Watering: Water sparingly when the plant is in bloom. Keep it on the dry side and avoid watering if the plant is not extremely dry. Drought conditions can cause bud drop.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize the plant from March until late September when it is actively growing. Use an organic fertilizer at half strength. The plant needs 10 to 12 hours of darkness per day starting at the end of September for flower buds to form.
- Repotting: Repot in spring or early summer after a growth period. Repot every 2 to 4 years using a mixture of 60% peat moss and 40% perlite or pumice for good drainage.
- Staking: Staking may be necessary when the plant gets heavy with blooms to prevent breakage.
- Propagation: If a stem breaks, let the broken end harden off, then use rooting hormone and a rooting mixture to grow a new plant.
- Pests: Christmas cacti are relatively pest-free but watch out for mealybugs or scale occasionally.
In temperate areas, you can place your Christmas cactus outside during the summer, but ensure it is sheltered from excessive rain. As summer ends, move it back to a darker room to set up the budding cycle again.
For ideal temperatures, keep the plant in rooms that are 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. For lighting, provide a milder, eastern exposure during the dormant period, and move to brighter light the rest of the year.
When the plant is blooming, display it on a table in your dining room or kitchen for maximum enjoyment.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Christmas Cactus Care
What is a Christmas cactus?
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful flowering plant that blooms between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It can come in various colors including pink, red, purple, lavender, white, and peach.
How do I keep my Christmas cactus healthy?
To keep your Christmas cactus healthy, place it in the coolest room of your house. Avoid placing it near heating and air conditioning ducts, as too much warmth can cause the buds to drop.
How should I water my Christmas cactus?
Water your Christmas cactus sparingly when it is in bloom. Keep the plant on the dry side and avoid watering if it is not extremely dry. Overwatering can lead to bud drop.
When should I fertilize my Christmas cactus?
Fertilize your Christmas cactus from March until late September, when it is actively growing. Use an organic fertilizer at half strength. The plant needs 10 to 12 hours of darkness per day starting at the end of September for flower buds to form.
When should I repot my Christmas cactus?
Repot your Christmas cactus in spring or early summer after a growth period. Repot every 2 to 4 years using a mixture of 60% peat moss and 40% perlite or pumice for good drainage.
Do I need to stake my Christmas cactus?
Staking may be necessary when the plant gets heavy with blooms to prevent breakage. Use green tie tape or something with some give to support the stems.
How do I propagate a Christmas cactus?
If a stem breaks, let the broken end harden off, then use rooting hormone and a rooting mixture to grow a new plant.
What pests should I watch out for?
Christmas cacti are relatively pest-free but watch out for mealybugs or scale occasionally.
Can I place my Christmas cactus outside during the summer?
Yes, you can place your Christmas cactus outside during the summer, but make sure it is sheltered from excessive rain. Move it back to a darker room as summer ends to set up the budding cycle again.
What are the ideal temperatures and lighting conditions for a Christmas cactus?
Keep the plant in rooms that are 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Provide a milder, eastern exposure during the dormant period, and move it to brighter light the rest of the year.
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