A Christmas cactus does not need sun to grow. It can grow in shady areas and still produce beautiful blooms.
No, a Christmas cactus does not need sun. It prefers bright, indirect light and can tolerate some direct sun, but too much sun will scorch its leaves.
Where is the best place to put a Christmas cactus?
If you’re looking to grow a holiday cactus, it’s best to place it in a location with partial shade, such as an east or west facing window. The ideal temperature for these cacti is between 70° and 80℉. With proper care, your holiday cactus can thrive and bring you joy for many years to come.
To care for your Christmas cactus, water it every 2 to 3 weeks, but only water when the top one third of soil feels dry to the touch. For example, if the plant is in 6 inches of soil, water when the top 2 inches feel dry.
How much sunlight does a Christmas cactus need
A Christmas cactus does not need direct sun, but does need about 8 hours of indirect, bright light in order to form flowers. Full sun can burn or fade the leaves, and cause them to wilt.
Christmas cactus can be moved outdoors in summer, but should be kept in a partial to full shaded area. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves. Some growers move plants to the shade of a porch or patio for the summer.
What triggers a Christmas cactus to bloom?
To encourage bud set, provide bright light, temperatures between 55 F and 65 F, and 13 hours or more of continuous darkness each day. For flowers during the winter holiday season, long nights should be started in late September or October and continued for eight weeks.
To grow a Christmas cactus, start by planting your cactus in Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix. Then, water the cactus when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry. To increase humidity around the plant, mist the leaves with water once a week. Finally, feed the cactus from after blooming until fall with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food.
How do you keep Christmas cactus blooming?
If you want your Christmas cactus to bloom again in spring, make sure to place it in an east-facing window that gets plenty of sunlight during the day. It should also get 12 hours of darkness each night.
Misting your cactus every day instead of watering it like you would a traditional plant is all you need to keep your cactus happy. The only time you should be watering the base of the plant is when its soil is completely dry to the touch. A few squirts from a spray bottle is all you need.
Should you water a Christmas cactus while it’s blooming
It’s important to keep your cactus evenly watered while it’s blooming, so mist it frequently. Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun. Once buds form, apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks.
Most Christmas cacti are rootbound by the time they are sold, so it is best to replant them in fresh potting mix as soon as you can. Be sure to use a pot with drainage holes.
If the plant is wilting, check the soil to see if it is too dry. If it is, water it thoroughly, making sure to drench the entire root ball. Allow the excess water to drain away and then return the plant to its saucer.
If the plant is wilting and the soil is moist, the problem is probably too much heat or too much sun. Move the plant to a cooler location out of direct sunlight and away from heating vents or fireplaces.
How do I water a Christmas cactus?
Your Christmas cactus needs very little water, so water it only when the top inch of soil in the container feels dry to the touch. To water your plant, soak the soil thoroughly until water runs through the pot’s drainage holes. Discard any water in the tray so the plant doesn’t sit in water.
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful plant that can bloom for years. It’s easy to care for and has stunning flowers. With proper care, it can even live for up to 100 years! This makes it a great plant to have for holiday decorating. It’s also a great plant to pass down to future generations.
Do Christmas cactus like shallow pots
A Christmas cactus will bloom best when it is slightly potbound. This means that it should be planted in a pot that is only slightly larger than the one it is currently in. For example, if your cactus is in a 6″ grow pot, you should plant it into an 8″ pot. I’ve seen older Christmas cacti that are planted in relatively small pots and they’re doing just fine. Just make sure that the pot has at least one drain hole.
This is a good way to force your cactus to bloom. By putting it in a dark closet for 14 hours a night, you are simulating the shorter days and longer nights of fall and winter. This triggers the plant’s natural bloom cycle. Once buds begin to form, you can stop the closet treatment and the plant should bloom beautifully for the holidays.
What month should I put my Christmas cactus in the dark?
Keeping the plant in a dark room during the night will help it to bloom in the fall months. The plant requires long, uninterrupted dark periods of about 12 hours or more.
A Christmas Cactus is a beautiful and unique plant that can brighten up any home or office. They are easy to care for and only need to be watered about once a week. Christmas Cactuses can also be propagated easily by taking a cutting from the mother plant and rooting it in water.
Final Words
Yes, a Christmas cactus does need sun. It should be kept in a location that gets bright, indirect sunlight for at least six hours a day.
After doing some research, it appears that a Christmas cactus does in fact need sun. This means that if you want your Christmas cactus to thrive, you should put it in a spot where it will receive some direct sunlight each day.
