Although Christmas cactus is a popular holiday plant, it is surprisingly easy to care for. With just a little bit of care, your Christmas cactus can thrive for years. Here are the basic steps for how to plant and care for a Christmas cactus.
To plant a Christmas cactus, start by finding a 6-8 inch pot that has drainage holes. Then, fill the pot with a potting mix made for cacti and succulents. Next, make a small hole in the center of the potting mix and gently insert the Christmas cactus plant. After the plant is in the pot, water it lightly and place it in a bright spot that receives indirect sunlight.
What kind of potting soil does a Christmas cactus need?
The ideal potting soil for cacti will contain a high proportion of organic matter such as peat or well-decomposed compost. Addition of coarse sand, or even aquarium gravel, will provide the necessary drainage and aeration. There are commercially available cactus potting soils that are designed to be well-drained soils.
To ensure your Christmas cactus blooms, it’s important to plant it in Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix and water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry. You should also increase the humidity around the plant.
Does Christmas cactus like sun or shade
If you’re looking to add a festive touch to your home, consider growing a holiday cactus! These cacti are easy to care for and make for beautiful decorations. Just be sure to place them in a location with partial shade and keep the temperature between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. With a little love and attention, your holiday cactus will thrive!
When selecting a pot for a Christmas cactus, be sure to choose one that has a drainage hole in the bottom. This helps to keep the soil from getting too wet. Christmas cacti grow well in most potting mixes that are formulated for succulents. The important thing is that your potting soil drains well.
Do Christmas cactus like shallow or deep pots?
Christmas cactus bloom best when slightly potbound. Mine was in a 6″ grow pot and I planted it into an 8″ pot. I’ve seen older Christmas cactus planted in relatively small pots and they’re doing just fine. Make sure the pot has at least 1 drain hole.
If you’re looking to propagate your Schlumbergera, the best and fastest method is to do it directly in the soil. While roots may develop faster in water, you’ll still need to plant them once they develop, and as we’ve already discussed, Christmas cacti are delicate and break easily. The less handling they receive, the better.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
If you want your cactus to flower, you need to give it a period of darkness each day. In late September or early October, put the mature plant in a dark room or cover it (under a box or bag works fine) so it gets at least 12 hours of darkness each day.
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.
What does a Christmas cactus need to thrive
To get your Christmas cactus to flower every year, you’ll need to give it two periods of ‘rest’ – lower temperatures and less watering. The best place to keep your plant during these periods is in a warm, bright spot out of direct sunlight. Mist your plant a few times a week to keep it moist.
If you want your Christmas cactus to bloom again in spring, give it the short days condition by placing it in an east-facing window that receives abundant sunlight during the day and 12 hours of darkness each night.
Should I mist my Christmas cactus?
If you’re looking to keep your cactus healthy, you should be misting it with water every day instead of watering the base of the plant. A few squirts from a spray bottle is all you need. You should only water the base of the plant when the soil is completely dry to the touch.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming, misting it frequently.
Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun.
Fertilization: Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.
Do Christmas cactus like clay or plastic pots
If you’re looking for a festive way to spruce up your Christmas cactus, consider planting it in a clay pot! Clay pots are well suited to Christmas cacti due to their quickly-draining nature. Clay is a porous material, which provides good air circulation and conductive conditions. Your Christmas cactus will thrive in these conditions, and you’ll love the way it looks!
It’s important to water your Christmas cactus when the soil feels dry to the touch in order to keep it healthy. This plant thrives in dry environments, so a little bit of water goes a long way. Check the soil around your cactus every 2-3 weeks and water it if it feels dry.
Should I deadhead my Christmas cactus?
To keep your cacti looking its best during and after the Christmas season, deadhead all the spent blooms. This also encourages the plant to continue blooming. Once Christmas is over, you can continue to enjoy your cacti until it finally stops producing flowers.
Terracotta containers are a great choice for cactus gardens because they allow water to evaporate faster than other materials. This helps to keep your cactus healthy and prevent root rot.
Conclusion
To plant a Christmas cactus, first choose a pot that is just barely larger than the root ball. Fill the pot with potting soil, and make a small indentation in the center. Set the plant in the indentation, and lightly press the soil around the roots. Water the plant well, and place it in a bright spot.
To plant a Christmas cactus, start by finding a pot that is slightly larger than the one the plant is currently in. Next, fill the pot with potting mix, and then water the mix until it is moist. Once the potting mix is moist, place the plant in the pot, and then lightly press the mix around the plant. Finally, water the plant again, and then place the pot in a location that receives indirect sunlight.
