How to Care for Christmas Cacti
- Plan to water every 2-3 weeks, but only water when the top one third of soil feels dry to the touch. …
- From spring through early fall, feed every 2 weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. …
- Prune plants in late spring to encourage branching and more flowers.
One may also ask, is Christmas cactus an indoor or outdoor plant?
Christmas cactus is easy to care for and can be grown indoors throughout the year. The flowers range in color from yellow, salmon, pink, fuchsia, and white or combinations of those colors. When a Christmas cactus is taken to its permanent home, place it in a sunny location indoors.
- Maintain the correct light/dark schedule. …
- Don’t water too much. …
- Don’t water too little. …
- Make sure the plant gets enough indirect sunlight but keep it out of direct sunlight. …
- Keep the plant away from direct heat sources, like a fireplace or heating vent.
Secondly, how do I keep my Christmas cactus blooming?
How to Promote Blooming in a Christmas Cactus
- Reduce Watering. Beginning in October, water your Christmas cactus much less frequently. …
- Provide Enough Light and Darkness. During the fall and early winter, Christmas cacti need twelve hours of dark and twelve hours of indirect sunlight each day.
- Keep Cool.
Should I water my Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
In general, water a Christmas cactus when the top inch or 2 of soil is dry. To help increase the humidity around your plant, fill the pot saucer with pebbles and add water to just below the tops of the pebbles (the pot shouldn’t be sitting directly in water). The air will become more humid as the water evaporates.
What triggers a Christmas cactus to bloom?
Christmas cacti produce flowers in a cool, environment-short day cycle. To initiate the production of flower buds, there needs to be at least eight days of 16 hours of dark and eight hours of light each day. Wherever the plant is placed, do not turn on the lights at night, even for a short period of time.
Is it OK to put Christmas cactus outside?
Can Christmas cactus be outside? The answer is yes, but you can only grow the plant outdoors year round if you live in a warm climate because Christmas cactus is definitely not cold hardy. Growing Christmas cactus outdoors is possible only in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 and above.
Can I put my Christmas cactus outside in the sun?
Christmas cactus thrives in bright, but indirect sunlight. Keep it near a window when indoors or shaded by trees if kept outdoors in warmer months.
How many times a year does a Christmas cactus bloom?
Does Christmas Cactus Bloom More Than Once A Year? Yes. Unlike many other succulents, Christmas cactus can bloom again in spring if given the short days condition.
How long do Christmas cactus live?
20 to 30 years
Is coffee good for Christmas cactus?
Coffee is a trusted secret that many people use to keep their Christmas cactus healthy and blooming each year. Just make sure its plain black coffee. Find this Pin and more on Christmas cactus tips by Barbra Thelen-Byrnes.
Do you deadhead Christmas cactus?
While not necessary for all cacti since some cactus flowers drop from the plant once they are spent, deadheading cactus flowers can promote additional blooms and encourage growth while also tidying up the cactus. … Deadheading can be done throughout the growing season while the Christmas cactus is in bloom.
Can you water a Christmas cactus when it is blooming?
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. … Transplantation: Repot your cactus each year after flowering.
Should I prune my Christmas cactus?
The best time to prune a Christmas cactus is right after it has bloomed. At this time, the Christmas cactus will be entering a growth period and will start to put out new leaves. Pruning a Christmas cactus right after it blooms will force it to branch out, which means the plant will grow more of its distinctive stems.
How can you tell if a Christmas cactus is overwatered?
In case you didn’t remember to do this, one of the first overwatering symptoms on Christmas cactus will be limp leaves, which will start to drop off. Then the stems and branches will soften and get mushy. Severe cases will manifest with a foul odor and the stem will rot completely off.
