Wilson Bros Gardens LLC

Christmas Cactus are long-lived tropical plants that are exceptionally easy to grow. When planted and cared for properly, they bloom around Christmas time, hence their name. If you follow a few basic guidelines for care, they will provide a spectacular holiday display, year after year.

If you live in Zones 9b through 11 you can grow Christmas cactus outdoors year round. Otherwise, north of Zone 9 you'll need to plant them in containers that can be kept indoors permanently or placed outdoors but brought indoors when temperatures drop below 55F. 

Most likely you will purchase a Christmas Cactus plant in early to mid winter. At this time the plants will be budded and/or blooming and there won't be much you have to do other than provide water as necessary.

Christmas Cactus prefer bright but indirect light. Keep the plant in a well-lit location such as near a window, but away from direct sunlight, which can stunt growth and burn the leaves. Also try to keep the plants away from drafts, heat vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air. I keep mine indoors during the winter and outdoors during the summer. They thrive in temperatures ranging from 65 to 80 degrees F.

Christmas Cactus like life on the humid side (50%). If you live in a dry environment, put a tray of water next to the plant so that the water evaporates and provides humidity. Alternatively, you can make a humidity tray by placing the pot on a waterproof saucer that is filled with gravel and halfway filled with water.

Christmas Cactus grow best in well-drained soil that holds moisture evenly. For this, I grow them in a premium potting mix. Constantly soggy soil can be problematic. Sand can be added to the soil to provide better drainage.

Christmas Cactus prefer an acid soil ranging from 5.5 to 6.0 on the pH scale.

You'll probably purchase your Christmas Cactus in a small, plastic growing pot. Whether immediately, or at some point in the future, you'll want to transplant it to a larger pot.

Plant Christmas Cactus in a container that has one or more holes in the bottom that will provide good drainage. Cheap nursery planters work well but they aren't that attractive for indoor use. I have mine growing in glazed clay pots and they do great. The pots are set in trays filled with gravel.

I use a light, premium potting mix that holds moisture evenly.

NOTE: Christmas Cactus flower best when they are pot-bound so don't move up to too large of a container.I usually repot my Christmas Cactus about every three years. The best time for repotting is between February and April. 

Before filling your pot with potting mix, place a few small to medium sized rocks into the bottom to allow for better drainage. Then fill your container about halfway with the potting mix. Set your plant in the container so that the top of the rootball is about 1 inch below the top rim of the pot. Add more potting mix if necessary to achieve proper planting height. Then add more soil to the top edge of the rootball.

The best time to pinch or prune a Christmas Cactus for shaping is when new growth begins to emerge in March or early April. Just snip here and there to shape the plant.

Fertilizing is important to keep the plant in good condition; the joints are fragile and can break apart if the plant descends into poor health. Generally, plants should be fertilized 2-4 times a year with a 20-20-20 feed, but stop feeding the first of October, which is usually about a month before the buds appear. Follow instructions on product label.

Christmas cactus can be a little finicky when it comes to water. They prefer a moist but well-drained soil. The general rule of thumb is that less water around the roots is better than too much water. That being said, if the soil gets too dry when plants are budded, the buds will start dropping. If the soil stays too dry when in bloom the flowers will wither. On the other hand, too much water around the roots can cause disease. I usually water mine thoroughly when the top inch of the soil becomes dry. Avoid splashing water on the foliage.