Christmas Cactus Care After The Holidays Pruning Christmas cactus. ; Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry. Grow in indirect light. Since it is one of my favorite houseplants, I’m sharing all about Christmas cactus care and how to get a few sets of blooms throughout the year. note: This post was originally published on 7/29/2017. You can add the water slightly and rest the plant somewhere with no light for two days and then continue with your regular Christmas cactus care. Problem: blooms or stems are covered with silvery fungus. With this in mind, water it when its top inch of soil is dry. Before you get started, stock up on these Christmas cactus care essentials. Christmas Cacti, aka Schlumbergera, is a small genus of cacti. Christmas cacti bloom just in time for the holidays (hence their name), and they're pretty stunning too. All Rights Reserved. The blooms last only several days while the flowering period lasts a couple of weeks. If you’re looking forward to starting an indoor cacti garden, you’re going to have to make the right selections. Why trust us? After flowering, you can do light pruning to re-energize the plant. A sheer curtain will help in filtering sunlight, if indoor conditions are dry the humidity level can be increased by misting the plant every other day with water or placing the pot on a tray of pebbles sitting in water. Opt for the east or north windows in your home or office. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Growing Christmas cactus plants is not only easy to do, but they are easily propagated too, so you can make more for holiday gift giving. Water the cactus based on your environment and the time of year. But there are still many succulent varieties that are easy to care for and can grow well indoors. Please see disclosure to learn more. *We may earn a commission for purchases made using our links. Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus or Easter Cactus. But in order to keep these plants looking beautiful, you need to follow all the steps involved with proper Christmas cactus care. Cold hardiness for false Christmas cactus : Thanksgiving cactus is generally considered a house plant. So, with that said, here's how to ensure this festive plant keeps brightening up your home year after year. They are found in rainforests and prefer warm, humid climates with plenty of moisture. For example, this Brazilian coastal plant (which is also known as Schlumbergera) favors more humid conditions than desert-dwelling species do. It’s a popular common holiday gift plant. Solution: Move the plant into a clean container with new fresh potting soil. This variety also has flat leaves, but rounded teeth on the leaves’ margins. Cause: Necrotic spot virus transmitted by insects known as thrips. Puns are great way to plant a smile on your friends’ and family’s faces. You might live in a studio apartment with only a couple of windows or in a house with a few darker rooms. Indoor Cactus Care . Keep it near a window when indoors or shaded by trees if kept outdoors in warmer months. How to Care for a Christmas Cactus Water & Humidity. Plus, it needs extended periods of darkness before it can begin flowering. I just check mine about once a week and water the soil when it dries out.So, if the weather’s humid, you’ll probably use a little less water, and if the weather’s dry, you’ll use a little more. Generally, indoor cactus plants need watering from one to three weeks depending on various factors mentioned above. Take care that the soil is never soggy (this will cause deadly root rot) nor bone dry. To ensure it grows happy and healthy, choose a lightweight and draining potting soil for your Christmas cactus, one for succulents or bromeliads will do great. Unlike their desert counterparts, the Christmas Cactus hails from tropical Brazil. Holiday Cactus Care. This is still low-effort for this beauty! While it can easily adapt to low light conditions, your Christmas cactus will thrive in bright, indirect light. Indoor Corn Plant Care. Christmas cactus temperature and humidity. Greeting cards and birthday texts are always better when you stick in a fun pun or two. Keep the plant away from draft-especially sudden ones. Christmas cactus need more magnesium than other indoor plants, so you should be mixing your fertilizer with 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts and of course, water. Unlike other cacti, the Christmas cactus does not live in arid environments. Outdoor Christmas Cactus Care . It's good for you too, because it naturally cleans the air.This is one of the best house plants for removing indoor air toxins such as formaldehyde, ammonia, Don’t get terrified and waste your plant due to lack of interest. Avoid direct sunlight as this can … You can also grow it in a mixture of 2/3 regular potting soil and 1/3 sand. Famous for their exotic flowers and an ability to light up a room, orchids come in…, If you’re ready to bring some positive green vibes in your home or office, please meet…, Fragrant and colourful, hyacinthus plants belong to the small genus of bulbous and blooming perennials. Despite its name, the Christmas cactus is not a desert plant, but rather has its origins … To ensure it’s dark enough, cover your plant with a paper bag for at least twelve hours every day, for four weeks. Improve humidity by using gravel-filled saucers to place your plants upon and keep this moist. Best Christmas Cactus Care Indoor from How to Care for a Christmas Cactus 14 Steps with.Source Image: www.wikihow.com.Visit this site for details: www.wikihow.com Within our festive variety we likewise have a big variety of aluminum foil and tinsel Christmas designs to assist you bring your Christmas event to life, whether you are embellishing a whole school, a village hall, organizing a … This may cause the buds or flowers to become droopy. If water runs through the plant to a liner or saucer below, be sure to empty it away from the plant. When the four week darkness period is up, you no longer have to keep the cactus covered. Coaxing multiple blooms from a Christmas cactus (or the closely related Easter cactus) takes a little planning. How to Take Care of Night Blooming Cereus. Place your pot in a cool area with indirect sunlight. Cacti are always going to be in trend, thanks to their ease of growing nature, plus the awesome range of color, size, and shapes they come in. They are both easy to grow, and will rebloom year after year during the cold winter months! Indoors Christmas Cactus Care. If you keep it inside in a cool and humid area, once per week may suffice. The room must be bright, but the plant must be kept away from air currents. They prefer a semi-shade situation as oppose to a full sun aspect of desert-dwelling cacti. Pot: it is preferable to use a mineral substrate, such as volcanic sand. Start with a bang – the potting mix is everything. Their hanging branches are made up of flat and glossy green segments and can reach up to 3 feet in height indoors. ; Give your Christmas cactus 6 weeks of extra darkness and lower temps to encourage blooming. It will work like magic! Easy to grow, weird-looking cacti are not just thorny and prickly–There are some Flowering Cactus Plants that grow most beautiful blossoms!. The truth is, different cacti species live in different … Given the proper conditions, however, Christmas cactus will reward indoor gardeners with attractive, brightly colored blooms. You can grow it outdoors, in partial shade, all year long in the warmer zones – 10 and above. Plant them in a cactus mix. I'm Christine Mattner and I love sharing what I've learned about selecting, growing and caring for indoor plants. That’s a Christmas cactus. A temperature between 65 °F (18 °C) to 70 °F (21 °C) is ideal. This can easily scorch its leaves. There are certain factors that can help — or hinder — your Christmas cactus's potential. Two of the most popular holiday cactus varieties are Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus. Don’t overwater Christmas cactus, especially during the winter months. 3. Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by The Walt Disney Company, who also serves as the brand's mascot.An anthropomorphic mouse who typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves, Mickey is one of the world's most recognizable fictional characters.. It can be a great office or home plant and it’s non-toxic to both humans, dogs and cats. Usually, repotting is done every 3-5 years , but you can always check the roots and the soil … Christmas cactus is an epiphyte, growing naturally on tree trunks, where fallen leaves and plant debris make up the bulk of its soil. A Christmas cactus prefers a humid climate and requires more watering than other types. When your Christmas cactus is in bloom, however, you should not be fertilizing as this can be damaging. A lack of water and dramatic temperature swings can cause flower buds to drop more rapidly. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. A little bit about New South Wales Christmas bush. I hope you enjoyed this Christmas cactus care article. Place the section in a cool, dry place for a couple of days. Water when the top inch or so of soil is completely dry to the touch. But if it is not possible to obtain it, also the universal substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts will be useful. With this in mind, make sure you’re watering it enough-not too much or too little. If you want to encourage your Christmas cactus to bloom, keep it cool following its blooming period and keep the soil a bit moist and feed it. Keep them away from direct western or southern sunlight. Either mist the plant or place a tray of pebbles sitting in the water beneath the plant to help boost its humidity levels. To discourage thrips, use sticky traps to catch these tiny pests. Have you been frustrated with your Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus not blooming for you? Related: How to Grow Christmas Cactus From Cuttings This will ensure the plant forms buds easier and eventually it blooms around Christmas. Let’s face it, not many of us live in glass houses with plentiful amounts of sun streaming in every day. What started out as purely a desire to keep my indoor plants alive has turned into a full-blown passion for sharing what I have learned over the years about selecting, growing and caring for indoor plants with those who may be new to the wonderful world of houseplants. When considering how to care for Christmas cactus, keep in mind it also prefers temperatures hovering between 60 and 70 degrees F. (15-21 C.) with average to high humidity levels. This impressive cactus is able to remove CO2 and releases oxygen at night time, making it an excellent plant for your bedrooms. In general, water a Christmas cactus when the top inch or 2 … Christmas cactus is a popular, winter-flowering houseplant. Rhipsalidopsis (Easter Cactus) has a distinctly different flower formation than Schlumbergeras and rarely gets caught up in the debate. The Christmas cactus needs ample humidity, especially when grown in the dry conditions of heated homes (which is often the case in winter). It is a wonderful addition to any indoor space, propagates pretty easily, and if cared for really well, can last a very long time! Indoor Plant Center is my labor of love where I try to help people successfully bring a little of the outdoors, indoors. Cyclamen Care. If you have this plant and you want to share it with others, it’s relatively easy to do it. Allow the … The best fertilizer for a Christmas cactus is half-strength, water-soluble formulas. Schlumbergera, also known as Christmas cactus, Holiday cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, Easter cactus, or Crab cactus is a very popular and easy-to-care-for succulent. “These three species of cactus are members of the group of cacti called leaf cacti, explains Martha Smith, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.The plant bodies are flattened and the leaves are actually stems. In fall and winter, reduce the watering to encourage blooming. Christmas Cactus Soil Mix. It blooms in early winter. Maximize your specimen's blooming period by paying attention to these six key factors: Keep plants cool (around 50 degrees) following their blooming period. In early summer, this shapely native shrub’s small creamy-white flowers give way to showy red or pink bracts. But it most certainly isn’t an impossible one. How to Grow and Care for Christmas Cactus | Gardener’s Path How to care for a Christmas cactus. Transplantation : … Fertilize your Christmas cactus every month in the growing season or from mid spring to early autumn. With a little TLC, this winter plant will flower again and again. Solution: If you’ve caught it early, you may save the plant. It can’t tolerate temperatures much lower than 50 °F.. Christmas cactus is a common name used in the Northern hemisphere whereas elsewhere you can also find it under names like holiday or crab cactus. Water a Christmas Cactus with care. Botanical Name: Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' Corn plant care is easy, making it an ideal house plant. To propagate it, you need to take cuttings of 1 to 4 segments and leave them to sit in a cool and dry area for 2 to 3 days. The likes of Aloe Vera, Christmas cactus, and crown of thorns are perfect examples of succulents that thrive indoors. Christmas Cactus (aka Holiday & Thanksgiving Cactus) is a very popular blooming plant for the holidays. The hanging branches, which are made up of flat, glossy green segments, can grow to up to 3 feet long. Caring for this plant can be a bit tricky as you need to take care not to... 2. Description of yellow Christmas cactus. It's not difficult to care for an indoor Christmas cactus. It’s a perfect houseplant for beginners, as well. This species has flat leaves and pointy teeth and it blooms in late fall. But the good news is, no matter what it is, all of these plants need the same care (see Holiday Cactus Care Guide here). Remove the infected parts and boost the ventilation and lower the humidity. Feed from after blooming until fall with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food. Two plants that bear mention here include the ever-popular Christmas cactus and the hibiscus. I will give you the secrets in this blog post that will make you successful. Make sure you don’t fuss too much over this plant- they seem to thrive when a bit neglected. The scientific name for a Christmas cactus is Schlumbergera bridgesii. Although it’s best to repot most other plants when they show new growth in springtime, with Christmas cactus, this process is different. Part…. Prefer bright, indirect sunlight and a cooler location. Their colorful leaves give them a one-of-a-kind look, and they’re actually pretty easy to care for once you get them going. There are also pesticides available to control thrip. Repotting Christmas Cactus. They differ from the flowers of other cacti which tend to be more tube-like. Increase humidity around the plant. Once you bring your new Christmas Cactus at home, leave it in the current container. One cool feature of the Christmas cactus is that you can root a brand new plant just by taking a few clippings from an existing plant. Desert cacti have a unique, stark beauty, and some of the desert cacti feature the most beautiful flowers in the plant kingdom. Do it after the blooming ends and the flowers are wilting-around late winter or early spring. Other Helpful References. In hotter and drier climates, watering it every two to three days may be necessary. Christmas cactus makes an excellent house plant but requires moderate care. When new growth begins, use the following strategy to encourage blooming: House the plants in an environment with a temperature between 55 and 65 degrees, and alternate between giving them 10 hours of light and 14 hours of total darkness for four to six weeks after the growth appears. Christmas Cactus is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. In May, remove parts of the stem that has two or three leaf sections. If you picked up or were given a Christmas cactus this year, don’t throw it out at the beginning of the year, as you might a live Christmas tree. Mist daily with distilled or rainwater, or place on a saucer of damp pebbles. Stop watering … From the University of Illinois Extension – Thanksgiving Cactus, Christmas Cactus, Easter Cactus: What’s the Difference? The plant will do fine in a daytime temperature of 70 degrees F and 60 to 65 degrees F in the evenings. The Christmas cactus is one of several holiday cacti named for the time of year it blooms. Take into account the climate and time of year. Buds will soon begin to show. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Problem: yellow spots on the leaves & leaves wilting. Your Christmas Cactus’ Leaves are Shriveled or Wilted. Problem: wilting leaves & white spots on the leaves. Remember, Christmas cactus plants like soil that consistently has more moisture than the soil preferred by most other succulents. There are six species, all native to Brazil, where they tend to flower in May. Place your Christmas cactus in the room in your house that receives the least amount of light. However, if large amounts are ingested, it can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, so be careful where you place it! Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun. Cause: Christmas cactus leaves will wilt … To encourage it, you may need to push it into dormancy around 8 weeks (prolonged darkness) before you want it to happen. One plant that’s always perfectly dressed to celebrate an Aussie Christmas is the New South Wales Christmas bush. In this post, I show you how to tell the difference between these two popular plants, and share my holiday cactus care tips. Ideally, they love a place that is 50-60 degrees F, but since you probably don't live in that cold of a house, either a windowsill or a chillier location in the house will do. When growing Christmas cactus indoors place in an area that gets bright indirect light near a south or west-facing window. If you want to propagate and plant a Christmas cactus, start with a mature plant a couple months after the plant has finished blooming. Altman Plants, Live Succulent Plants (20 Pack) Assorted Potted Succulents Plants Live House Plants in Cacti and Succulent Soil Mix, Cactus Plants Live Indoor Plants Live Houseplants in … I will also give you tips on growing and propagating your Christmas cactus as well. Coaxing multiple blooms from a Christmas cactus (or the closely related Easter cactus) takes a little planning. They differ from other zygocacti in unusual shades of flowers: from white-yellow to rich yellow-gold. Average home conditions and moderate proper care are usually enough for this plant to prosper, so it’s not a bad idea for the less experienced gardeners. Easter Cacti will bloom in mid-spring and has flat leaves and rounded teeth with broader flowers that remind you of daisies. An ideal situation would be well-lit yet out of direct sunlight with a humid atmosphere. Watering – Caring For A Christmas Cactus. This plant loves its fair share of brightness, but it will thrive only when you place it in an area with indirect sun exposure. It is also essential to move the plant outside … Night-blooming cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum or Hylocereus undatus) is a cactus variety that … Christmas Cactus Care Indoors. Plants should bloom in about six weeks. Christmas cactus is the common name for schlumbergera, a small genus of cacti with 6 to 9 species native to the coastal mountains of south-east Brazil. The Golden Cane Palm is one of the most popular and attractive palms with golden stems and yellow-green fronds. Flowers in red, white, yellow, pink, or purple appear at the tips of these branches and measure up to 3 inches long with several tiers of petals. After one to two months, move the plant to a warmer place and resume watering. However, their care may require a little more effort. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Here are 10 easy-care indoor plants for lower light conditions. The Christmas cactus gets its name from the fact that it usually flowers only once a year, just around the time when Santa Claus is making his rounds. I've been delighted with how Indoor Plant Center has grown in such a short time and look forward to bringing you much more information and sharing in your joy as you continue your journey into the beautiful world of houseplants. Placing a tray of pebbles filled with water beneath the Christmas cactus container is a good way to add more humidity to the home. Also known as the Butterfly Palm, the leaves curve upwards in multiple stems to … A little Christmas cactus care goes a long way, so you don’t need to care too much for it to see it bloom, although this may not always happen precisely in time for the holidays. Beginning in early October, make sure that your Christmas cactus plant is receiving extended periods of darkness. In summertime, you can take it outside in the shady area in the garden or porch until the temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. Unlike many cactuses, this one isn’t from hot and dry climates, but from tropical ones. Growing desert cacti is not difficult. Before you want the plant to flower, cut it back and induce a rest period when watering and fertilizer is reduced, and the plant is kept cool (about 50 F to 55 F). Then, plant them in an inch deep fresh soil and water them sparingly until you see new growth and the roots establish. Change your watering schedule seasonally. Now that you know how to plant and take care of a San Pedro cactus, there are some things you should know before you decide to purchase it or include it in your garden. How to Grow, How much Light, When to Water, How to get it to Bloom, Why is it dropping Flower Buds? Unlike most succulents and cacti, Schlumbergeras aren’t native to arid regions, but instead, they thrive in subtropical and tropical climates, more specifically in the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil. Step 2: Plant the Christmas Cactus But getting it going is what we’re focusing on today. Orchid Care for Beginners: Top 6 Easiest Orchids for Indoors, Hyacinth Care Indoors: Your Easy Care Guide. Choose a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer or half strength water soluble formula, for example 20-20-20 or 20-10-20. Water them to keep the soil just barely moist, and be sure to withhold fertilizer. They will appear at the tips of the branches and usually grow 3 inches in length and with several petals. Caring for Christmas Cactus Christmas cactus thrives in bright, but indirect sunlight. The flowers are stunning-they grow in various colors, including yellow, pink, white, purple or red. And it’s so EASY that it is ridiculous! After this happens, water them regularly. Each bloom lasts for several days, and the entire flowering period of most cultivars will span several weeks. Here’s the chance to learn how to propagate Christmas Cactus and spread it in numerous pots. If you have a healthy Christmas cactus and want to grow another, you can easily propagate your plant by clipping off a small cutting and allowing it to take root in a pot with a rooting medium or in a small jar with stones and water. Copyright Indoorplantcenter.com 2020. When you see new growth, put the plants in an area of your home with a 55 to 65 degrees F temperature and give them 10 hours of light and 14 hours of darkness for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Solution: Although it’s a tropical cactus and likes more water than other cactuses, it can also be overwatered. This content is imported from {embed-name}. Things to Know About the San Pedro Cactus . Avoid doing it when the plant is in active blooming phase. Learn how to grow a Christmas cactus plant and care for it in the articles that follow. The first thing to know about San Pedro cacti is that they grow fast and tall. Watering Your Christmas Cactus 1. When buds appear, introduce the plant to warmer temperatures and begin regular culture, as described above. Temperature-wise, … After The Dormancy Period With proper care, the bright pink blooms of a Christmas cactus will return year after year during the holiday season. Soggy soil may result in rot, a fungal disease that is usually deadly. If your temperatures are colder than this, you should grow crab cactus as an indoor plant. They grow best in hanging baskets and are easy to care for. All you need to know. Gifting plants to your friends and loved ones is also more fun when they’re accompanied by a witty card with a pun picked just for them!. Fertilize your Christmas cactus every month in the growing season or from mid spring to early autumn. Cause: Over-watering, a common issue for numerous cactuses. It likes consistently moist soil during the blooming period (keep the first few inches of soil dry during the other times of year) and damp air. Take a section of up to five segments from the end of a stem. Yellow Christmas Cactus or Yellow Decembrists are plants belonging to the genus of epiphytic cacti, which were artificially bred. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 45 Summer Flowers for a Stunning Home Garden, 15 Healthy Whole Grains You Should Be Eating, How to Make Your Own Natural Easter Egg Dyes, 35 Fun Backyard Decor Ideas You Have to Try, 30+ Brilliant Trash-to-Treasure Crafts to Try Now, How to Grow and Care for Aloe Vera Plants. Indoor Christmas cacti enjoy 12 to 15 hours of darkness each day. Christmas cactuses are beautiful houseplants that are popular for the bright flowers they bloom during the holiday season. Although Christmas cacti are a humidity loving plant, their roots cannot sit in water. Repot your Christmas Cactus after it’s done blooming, in a container that is 1 to 1.5 inches larger than the current pot. Fertilization : Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form. 10 Softest Sheets for the Most Comfortable Bed. In Brazil, it’s known as the May flower. Unlike many cactuses, this one isn’t from hot and dry climates, but from tropical ones. As part of your care of Christmas cactus outside, you’ll need to water Christmas cactus when the soil is on the dry side, but not bone dry. The cactus is full of blooms which is an amazing sight in the period around Christmas. Here's everything you need to know about the holiday plant. This Christmas care article provides important background information, tips on how to care for a Christmas cactus, plus trouble shooting advice. Feeding. Christmas cactus propagating can be a dreadful task for those who have never tried it before. Plant your Christmas cactus in Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix.