Find out how to get your Christmas cactus to bloom in time to enhance your holiday decor.
How to get your Christmas cactus tobloom during your holiday festivitiesdepends on both light and temperature.
Set your plant on course to be loaded with blossoms for weeks beginning in December with this easy-to-follow plan.
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When Does Christmas Cactus Bloom?
Christmas cactus plants form flower buds when they receive 12 hours or so of darkness daily.
Look at the Calendar
Christmas cactus needs about eight weeks to form flower buds.
Consider the flowering period duration when choosing a date.
A healthy Christmas cactus reliably blooms for four to six weeks.
A guest room, office, or seldom-used basement with a sunny window are all great options.
Water When the Soil Surface Is Dry
Check the soil moisture every few days.
If the surface is dry to the touch, water the plant deeply.
Be sure to allow excess water to drain away.
While flower buds are forming, you’ll want to water more regularly than you might otherwise.
Big temperature swings can cause Christmas cactus to drop its buds.
Expect the plant to grow very slowly after flowering as it rests.
It will begin developing new leaves and growing vigorously in spring when the daylight increases.
Strong growth in summer prepares the plant for the next holiday flower show.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did your plant receive 12 to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for eight weeks?
Is the plant receiving bright light during the daytime?
Was the temperature maintained at a steady 60F to 70F?
Christmas cactus can be finicky, and consistency is key.
Maintain consistent light and temperature conditions for best results.
The plant likely encountered some sort of stress.
Buds fall off when exposed to blasts of cold air or heat.
Dry soil or overly wet soil can also cause buds to drop.
Maintain moist but not wet soil and protect your plant from temperature swings.
Yes, holiday cactus thrives outside during summer in temperate conditions.
Be sure to place it where it is protected from harsh afternoonsunlight, which can burn its foliage.
When temperatures fall into the 50s at night in autumn, move the plant inside.
