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How to Help Your Christmas Cactus Bloom for the Holidays

Deborah Clark2 min read
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How to Help Your Christmas Cactus Bloom for the Holidays — Decor
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Give It the Right Light Conditions

Give It the Right Light Conditions
The key to your Christmas cactus blooming is how much sunlight it gets. If it’s not budding or blooming yet, it needs at least 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness each day. If you just got your plant, this might not apply right now, but to avoid buying a new one next year, try giving it total darkness for about 6 weeks before the holidays—covering it during this time works well.

If you have a room at home where you can control the lighting or it’s completely dark, you can place it there overnight. Think of a basement, a spacious, well-ventilated closet, or a heated garage. After a few weeks, you’ll likely see flower buds starting to form. If your Christmas cactus already has buds when you bring it home, keep it out of direct sunlight but allow some indirect light during the day for a few hours.

Watch the Temperature

Watch the Temperature
Your Christmas cactus prefers cooler temperatures around 15-20°C (59-68°F). It doesn’t like sudden temperature changes, so keep it away from drafts. Once you see buds forming, place it where you plan to keep it during the holidays. This helps the buds open beautifully without dropping early.

Don’t Overwater

Don’t Overwater
Though Christmas cacti originally come from rainforests, they don’t need soggy soil. Overwatering can cause root rot. Water lightly about twice a week, keeping the amount consistent each time. If the soil still feels damp, water less often. If the leaves start to wilt, it might need more water; if they turn yellow and soft, cut back on watering.

A Quick Pruning Can Work Wonders

A Quick Pruning Can Work Wonders
If you follow these steps—managing temperature, light, and gentle watering—you’re setting your Christmas cactus up for a stunning holiday bloom. You can encourage flowering any time of year with these tips, but a quick pruning in summer helps it bloom more easily in winter.

Pruning encourages branching, creating more growth tips that turn into beautiful buds. While it takes a bit more planning at first to get your cactus blooming just right for the holidays, once you nail it, the process becomes easier and you’ll enjoy many gorgeous blooms in the years ahead.

Source: southernliving.com, photos: istockphoto.com
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