The holidays will be here before you know it, and that means time together with family and friends, beautiful decorations, delicious food, and (hopefully) a Christmas cactus in full bloom. Encouraging a holiday cactus to bloom at the right time requires some finesse, but it isn’t complicated once you know the right way to do it. Ahead, we’re sharing expert tips to ensure your Christmas cactus blooms right on schedule.
Kathy Jentz, host of the GardenDC Podcast and co-author of The Urban Garden
Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, founder of the Houseplant Guru and author of Houseplants
What Is a Christmas Cactus?
Christmas cacti are charming succulents that provide interesting foliage throughout the year and a burst of pink blossoms around the winter holidays. However, don’t automatically assume it requires a dry, sandy climate simply because it’s a cactus. “While these are true cacti plants, they are jungle cacti and therefore do not like to dry out like desert cacti,” says author Lisa Eldred Steinkopf. “If possible, I take mine to the sink or shower and water them there, so they are rinsed off, which mimics rain.” Expect your Christmas cactus to reach roughly a foot tall and wide, although there can be some variation in size.
Why Timing Matters for Christmas Blooms
Unlike plants like African violets or begonias, your Christmas cactus slowly builds up energy to produce a beautiful but short-term flower show. Certain conditions must be met to encourage blooms, and since you’re growing these indoors, it’s up to you to arrange the correct timing in order to produce Christmas cactus flowers at the desired time.
“The Christmas cactus is often confused with the Thanksgiving cactus—the two look very similar,” says author Kathy Jentz. “To identify a Christmas cactus, look for more rounded edges on the leaves compared to a Thanksgiving cactus’s sharp, pointier edges. In addition, Christmas cacti bloom later than Thanksgiving cacti—typically around mid-winter.”
Steps to Encourage Blooming
Achieving a timely display of blossoms isn’t just something to consider when the holidays arrive—prep work begins much earlier. A Christmas cactus requires a period of cold to simulate changes in season in its natural environment. Temperature plays a very important role here. “You can force Christmas cacti into bloom by placing them in a cool room (between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit) for 13 hours of darkness for about four weeks in the fall,” says Jentz.
Steinkopf notes that you can let nature do this chill-prepping for you. “Your plant likes it a bit cold in the fall,” says Steinkopf. “If you take it outside for the summer, let the temperatures drop to the low 50s, high 40s before bringing it in. I did that this year, and it is already in full bloom.”
Other Considerations for Timely Blooming
The care you provide your Christmas cactus year-round is directly correlated to when and how well it blooms. “The key to getting blooms at all is making sure that your plant has enough light all year long,” says Steinkopf. “If they don’t have enough light, they will never bloom. They don’t need full sun, but would like a good, bright light. Mine are in the west window and bloom consistently.”
You also want the plant to bloom evenly. “When watering, give your plant a quarter-turn to ensure it blooms around the entire plant,” suggests Steinkopf. “If you don’t turn it, often the side that faces the window or light source will be the only side that blooms.” She also advises keeping the cactus consistently moist, but not soggy.
How to Keep Blooms Lasting Longer
After all that effort, it would be nice if the Christmas cactus blooms could last as long as possible! “To keep it blooming longer, make sure you keep it in a cool place (not near a heat vent), such as the coolest room in the house,” says Steinkopf, adding that proper watering is critical at this time. “Very important—do not let it dry out when it is blooming, as the first thing to wilt will be the flowers. If it dries out, the buds may not open, and the blooms will wilt and fall off,” she says.
Post-Bloom Care
Christmas cacti are designed to bloom for a short time and then “recharge.” When this happens, maintaining proper care will help ensure they’re healthy and ready to bloom next holiday season. “When watering, make sure to keep your cactus on the dry side,” says Jentz. “As the flowers fade, pluck them off to keep the plant looking fresh.”
Later on, you can consider delicately pruning your Christmas cactus. “For more blooms, give your plant a slight pruning in the spring,” says Steinkopf. She also notes that pruning will promote new growth, and having more cladodes (modified, flattened stems) means more flowers.
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