Christmas cactus care

 

Christmas cactus are members of the Zygo-cactus family. They are native to the mountainous regions of Central and South America and they are more closely related to orchids then to cactus. Tropical cacti requirements are different than desert cacti. They like bright, indirect light, so no direct sun. An east facing window will work well. They don’t like drafts, so place them away from heating vents, fireplaces or doors that open to the outdoors.

Feed them with a 10-30-20 or 15-30-15 fertilizer. Water thoroughly and allow soil to dry out before watering again.  Test the soil with your finger. If the top inch or so is dry, then it’s time to water.

Christmas cactus like high humidity and an easy way to increase humidity is to place small rock in a saucer, add water and set the plant on the saucer.

Make sure the pot is sitting on the rock, not in the water. Daytime temperatures in the 70°’s and nighttime temperatures in the 50°s to 60°s will help promote blooming. If the plant begins to drop buds, it’s a sign of overwatering, insufficient light or low humidity.   Long term care for Christmas cactus, they prefer to be root-bound and can easily go three or four years without repotting. When you decide to repot, chose a pot one size larger and use a potting soil that drains well. Whether you’re choosing a Christmas cactus for yourself or as a gift, we have a variety of colors and sizes available now.

'Dark Marie'

'Nicole'

'Youp'