christmas cactus care

those growing condtions are for the christmas cactus cultivars. the species can need a bit of extra care.

lighting

the christmas cactus does best if located bright. light shade and a bit of morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated. afternoon sun can burn its leaves. during summer it can be placed outside. but make sure that rainwater can flow out of the pot. place indoor when temperature is falling below 10 °c/50 °f constantly.

soil

it needs a well drained soil, there are special mixes for epiphytic cacti available. i’m using my own mix between regular potting soil, sand, gritty and orchid bark (2:1:1:1). but it can also be grown in a regular cactus mix or standard potting soil mixed with some sand (3:1).

watering

drench the soil well, water running out of the pot’s hole should be removed after a few minutes. sitting in water can cause rotten roots. before watering next, the soil should get nearly dry.

feeding

a cactus fertilizer at half strength can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in fall/winter..

reblooming

for blooming at christmas time, the christmas cactus should be placed a bit colder at +/-15 °c/59 °f for approx. eight weeks, starting in september. it now has to be kept nearly dry and must not be feeded. when its flower buds are approx. 1-2 cm (0.39-0.79 inch) long it can given back to its old location.

sometimes recently bought christmas cacti can loose their flowers or buds untill they have adapted to the new conditions.