Christmas cactus care guide
Schlumbergera
Also known as: Holiday cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, Crab cactus
Pets and children
We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
How often to water Christmas cactus
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 7 days
- Closer to a spring-fall grower: water once the surface dries in spring, as a guide, and hold back in midsummer, waiting two or three days after it dries.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 7 days
- Buds form now: water when the surface dries, about weekly, since drying out too far drops the buds.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 10 days
- Water once the soil dries while it flowers, as a guide, then rest it with less water for about a month after the blooms finish.
Light and placement for Christmas cactus
A forest cactus that generally wants bright light through a sheer curtain, thriving outdoors in part shade in spring and fall; midsummer sun scorches it, and lamp light on fall nights holds back the buds.
Overwintering Christmas cactus
Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above
As a guide, bring it to a bright window indoors when nights drop below about 10°C; it tolerates around 5°C, but moving it or sudden temperature swings once buds have set makes them drop, so pick a spot and leave it.
Fertilizing and repotting Christmas cactus
Fertilizer
Diluted liquid feed about every two weeks from April to July after flowering; nothing from August on, as leftover fertilizer works against bud set.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
Common problems with Christmas cactus
- Moving the pot after the buds have set makes them drop one after another.
- Overwatered in midsummer, the roots rot and the segments go limp.
- Kept in a room lit at night in fall, it sets no flower buds.
Tips for growing Christmas cactus
- Covering it from evening to morning in September and October (short-day treatment) brings the buds on together.
- Twisting off one or two end segments by hand around April, after flowering, gives more branches and more blooms.
- The removed segments root easily once dried for a few days and set in soil.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
