The Christmas cactus, also known as Schlumbergera, is one of the unique types of cactus. It came from southeastern Brazil, but it isn’t similar to other character plants.
Actually, many cactus plants can survive in a dry environment, but the scenario for Christmas cactus plants is different. It needs humidity and a forested environment because it belongs to Brazil.
However, there are some things that make the Christmas cactus special. For example, it has vibrant flowers that bloom in the holiday season from November to January when we celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.
Besides this, Christmas cactus plant flowers come in different colors, such as classic red and pink, and many different shades, including orange, purple, white, etc.
Another interesting thing about the Christmas cactus is that it is an epiphytic plant, which means it can grow on other plants, but still, it is not parasitic.
Christmas cactus can live for decades; many grandparents even passed down Christmas plants to the next generation.
Caring for Christmas Cactus
Here are some important tips about caring for a Christmas plant to keep cactus plants healthy, happy, and thriving.
Light requirement
Yes, that is true; they are Brazilian and prefer forested environments; that’s why Christmas cacti prefer bright, indirect sunlight. For example, you can place your Christmas plant near an east-facing or south-facing window.
It’s okay, too, if you provide a few hours of direct sunlight. But still, you should avoid Afternoon Sun because it can scorch your cactus Plant leaves.
Watering needs
Providing water once or twice a week is a good option, as they like their soil to be moisturized. However, they don’t like too much water because it is not good for their leaves and roots.
Before providing water to your Christmas cactus, you can touch its soil and try to figure out if the top 1 or 2 inches is dry or not. If it is dry, then you can provide water. If it is not, then you need to wait a few days until it gets properly dry. As I said, overwatering isn’t good.
Soil and potting requirements
Properly draining soil can prevent root problems in your cactus. Therefore, you can use a well-draining soil mix, especially which is formulated for cacti and succulents.
Besides this, you can repot your Christmas cacti in 2-3 years during the spring season because that’s the time when it can grow perfectly.
It’s just because a Thanksgiving Cactus root can become cramped in the same pot for years. Repotting is good for preventing root-bound Issues, Nutrient Depletion, etc.
Temperature and humidity considerations
Christmas cactus prefer a humid environment as they belong to a Brazilian forest. Even though most cacti prefer a dry environment, it is not the same with Thanksgiving or Christmas cacti.
On the other hand, providing 65 to 70°F temperature is okay. They can obviously tolerate some warmer temperatures. But it’s better for plant’s health to avoid direct sunlight or extreme temperature, especially over 80 Fahrenheit,
Although the average household temperature and humidity level are always sufficient for Thanksgiving Cactus.
Fertilizing and pruning
You can feed your Christmas plant a balanced, Water-Soluble Fertilizer every 2-3 weeks, which is okay, especially during the growing seasons like spring and early summer.
You can prune once you see flowers on your cactus; it’s good for maintaining its shape.
Christmas plant Blooming and Flowering
Here are some important things that you need to know if you want your Christmas cacti to bloom:
Triggers for flower bud formation
During the fall season, the temperature is quite cold, and days are shorter, so your Christmas cacti can’t get the proper light as it needs; that’s why this situation will trigger flower bud formation.
Moreover, if your plant is under stress, the roots are crowding, or even at night are too chilly, around 50-55°F, it can also influence your plant bud set.
Bloom times and duration
The best time when you can see your Christmas Cacti blooming is between November and January. That’s the reason it is called Thanksgiving and holiday plant as well because it grows in the holiday season, and that’s why it earned its name “Christmas cactus.”
By the way, the flower will bloom for around 2 to 4 weeks. On the other hand, if you do proper Christmas cactus care, then a mature cactus can produce multiple rounds of blooming flowers during the winter season.
Factors that affect Christmas cactus flowering
There are some things that play an important role in flowering, such as light. If you are providing too much or too little light, it can delay flowering.
Besides this, if the temperature is not suitable, whether it is too warm or too cold, it will also impact blooming time. And moreover, you should also focus on soil moisturization as they want consistent moisture but not soggy. Moisturization is really important for any flower bud development.
You should also focus on fertilization, especially during the active growing season, because it will not just support your plant’s overall health but also play an important role in flower production.
Varieties and Cultivars of Christmas Cactus
Here are different varieties and cultivators of Christmas cactus:
Common types and their distinguishing features
Schlumbergera x buckleyi (Christmas Cactus): That’s the most common type of Christmas cactus plant; it has flat, scalloped leaf-like stems, and it’ll give you different shades of flowers such as Pink, purple, red, and white.
Schlumbergera truncata (Thanksgiving Cactus): It is another Christmas cactus type, but its streams are more pointed, and it comes in a tooth-like segment. Schlumbergera truncata Cactus blooms around Thanksgiving Cactus.
Schlumbergera russelliana (Easter Cactus): this one blooms after Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus, around Easter time; that’s where it gets its name from.
Unique or rare Christmas Cactus cultivars
- Amazon: It has bright fuchsia-pink flowers and little vibrant green foliage.
- Chelsea: This one comes with large, showy blooms in rich, deep red shades
- Crystal: It blooms almost translucent white flowers.
- King Arthur: It displays stunning, large magenta blooms.
- Molly: It grows pink and white flowers.
- Yvonne: This one will produce bright salmon-pink flowers.
Propagating Christmas Cactus
There is a step-by-step guide on how you can propagate a Christmas cactus, and the same guide also applies to Thanksgiving and Easter cactus too:
Cutting propagation
That’s the most common and easiest way to propagate a Christmas Cactus. You just need to take stem cutting, depending on how many plants you want. However, a stem needs to be 3-4 inches segments long because
After that, allow the cut end to dry for a few days. Once it’s dried, you can plant it in a well-draining potting mix soil and keep it moisturized without providing too much water.
Through the cutting propagation technique, a Christmas cactus will take anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks to form new roots.
Seed propagation
Seed propagation is not really common when growing Christmas cacti compared to cutting methods, but it’s possible. However, its seeds are really small and need special care to germinate.
That’s why I would first suggest you try stem-cutting methods, as they are easier and more common.
However, you can get holiday cactus seeds and sow them in a sterile while keeping the soil moist. Germination will take a few weeks if you’re providing a good amount of bright indirect light, up to 6 hours at least.
However, your cactus can take several years to mature, especially if you are propagating from seeding, and then it’ll begin flowering.
Division and offsets
A mature cactus can produce offset or pups from its base. Therefore, you can directly remove it and repot it into a new pot.
When you’re following offset methods, then make sure while removing offsets that there’s a root with offsets. Otherwise, the plant can’t grow smoothly.
However, it doesn’t matter what propagation method you follow, but you want to make sure that you’re providing enough bright light and consistent moisturization and fertilization, etc.
Based on my personal experience, I’d recommend cutting propagation because I like this one. And the seed propagation is not my cup of tea; it takes too much time and care.
Troubleshooting and Common Issues Christmas cactus plant
It doesn’t matter what type of plant you are growing, whether it’s a Christmas cactus or any other type of cactus, you will always face some common issues; here’s what you can face and troubleshoot those problems.
Identifying and addressing pests
Pests are the first issue you’ll have to deal with; many times, pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects can occupy your plant.
- Spider mites: You’ll see webbing and stippling on the leaves, so you use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Mealybugs: They are identified as white, cottony, and mass, and you can use a cloth to clean them and get rid of them.
- Scale insects: In this, you can see bumps on stems and leaves; you can scrape them off manually or use horticultural oil.
Diagnosing and treating diseases
There are some common diseases that can happen to your Christmas cactus plant, such as Fungal root rot, bacterial soft rot, and botrytis blight.
Fungal root rot: this happens when you provide it with too much water. That’s why you need to allow soil to dry properly.
Bacterial soft rot: It will cause mushy and discolored segments, so you can simply remove the affected area and improve air circulation.
Botrytis blight: You’ll see gray, fuzzy mold on your plant’s flower and buds. To get rid of this, you can increase the airflow again and avoid splashing water on the leaves.
Dealing with bud drop or lack of blooms
You might have to deal with bud drop. It happens because of insufficient bright light. To get rid of this problem, you can move your plant near a window where it can get the penalty of indirect sunlight.
Don’t provide too much water to your Christmas cactus. Yeah! That’s true. They want to be moisturized but not too much or soggy soil, therefore always letting the soil completely dry.
Dramatic changes in temperature, like too cold or too warm, can also impact your plant, resulting in bud drop or delay in blooming.
Last but not the least is nutrition deficiency. Therefore, you need to provide enough water and fertilizers during the growing season.
Sometimes, you’ll also see slow growth or bud drop of your Christmas cacti when the post size isn’t sufficient, so you can repot into a large one.
Holiday Traditions and Uses of Christmas Cactus Plant
We call it Christmas cactus because it comes from Brazil, where it grows naturally during the Christmas season. This plant came to Europe in the 1830s, and because of its blooming timing, it became the holiday plant.
Moreover, in many cultures, the Christmas cactus is symbolized welcoming the winter season and holiday season.
Decorative and gift-giving uses
Christmas cacti can also be used for decoration on Christmas, such as potted plants and floral engagements.
Besides this, you can also gift a Christmas cactus plant to your friends and family members as it grows vibrant, long-lasting flowers. Actually, many people would like to receive this beautiful gift.
Symbolism and cultural associations
In a few cultures and traditions, the Christmas cactus is a symbol of resilience because it can also thrive in challenging environments, as it belongs to the forest.
Moreover, it blooms around the Christmas season, which is why it is also seen as a harbinger of joy and good cheer. Besides this, some people believe that receiving Christmas cactus on Christmas can bring good luck, which is quite similar to a Chinese money plant.
Conclusion
Christmas cactus plant is one the best indoor houseplants that you can grow. It can also tolerate a little bit of direct sunlight, but as an indoor plant, bright light is enough for it.
Overall, it’s a low-maintenance plant that you can consider having; it doesn’t require too much water and care unless you’re propagating from seeds.
There are also other varieties that you may want to try, such as the Thanksgiving Cactus and Easter cactus; they’re almost similar to the Christmas Cactus.
Why are the leaves on my Christmas cactus limp?
Your Christmas cactus leaves are limping because you might not be providing enough water to your plant or providing too much sunlight.
They need a sufficient moist and humid environment to grow and maintain a healthy environment. Otherwise, the plant limps its leaves and eventually drops them.
To keep your plant leaves healthy and not limp, make sure you’re providing enough water; you can also touch the soil if it’s dried. Besides this, you can also try misting leaves with a spray bottle to increase the humidity around your Christmas cacti.
Don’t provide too much sunlight to your plants, as they prefer indirect light. You can place your plant where it gets proper direct sunlight.