A Christmas cactus is a stunning plant to have in the home during the festive season, but it can be difficult to keep them healthy enough to bloomAbbie Meehan Sports Writer U-35s, Katherine McPhillips and Vita Molyneux Travel reporter
10:35, 22 Dec 2025
These tips will help keep your plant healthy(Image: petrovval via Getty Images)
A Christmas cactus is a vibrant and unique plant to nurture during the festive season, often seen as a delightful addition to the traditional tree and other decorations.
These cacti bloom in winter, producing stunningly colourful petals, but only if they receive the correct care.
Caring for these plants can be challenging, leaving many frustrated in their attempts to encourage blooming. However, with the right gardening advice, it can become much easier to witness their blossoming.
Dr Marisa Y. Thompson, an extension horticulture specialist, has offered her top tips on how green-fingered enthusiasts can “encourage a longer blooming period and return bloom next year” for these cacti.
She advises that these plants should be pruned in spring rather than during the festive season, to promote blooming at the appropriate time.
In her guidance, Dr Thompson said: “In the spring when the plant is actively growing, you can prune your cactus by cutting between stem segments using clean, sharp shears that do not tear the plant tissue.
The correct pruning tips will help(Image: Rosemary Calvert via Getty Images)
“Flower buds develop at the distal edges (ends) of each stem, so by pruning, you are encouraging branching and therefore maximising flower potential next season.”
To ensure the health of Christmas cacti, they should be positioned in a spot within the home that is sheltered from the harsh, winter winds, as these conditions can dry out the plant, making it more challenging to maintain its health.
Dr Thompson advised: “Avoid drafty locations near open doors and heater vents. These locations speed the drying of the soil and plants.”
Your cacti should be positioned in a well-lit spot within the home, but kept away from direct sunlight.
They thrive in humid conditions, so even placing them in the bathroom or kitchen can help them reach their optimal flowering potential.
The expert also warned that relocating the plant frequently or subjecting it to temperature fluctuations can cause the developing flower buds to fall off prematurely.
Dr Thompson noted: “Keep the plants in a cool location. Cool air slows the ageing of the flowers, so they last longer, but do not let the temperature drop below 50F (10C). Temperature-wise, they are not as fussy as some other seasonal houseplants, such as poinsettia.”
Come next autumn when the plant enters its dormant phase, it will generally require 10 to 12 hours of darkness to produce flowers again, and once the buds emerge you can relocate it to a brighter section of the home.
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