How much sunlight does my Christmas Cactus need?

Christmas Cactus may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Is Christmas Cactus toxic to cats, dogs, or children?

Christmas Cactus is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

How much humidity does Christmas Cactus like?

Christmas Cactus prefers dry environments . Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

What type of soil should I use for my Christmas Cactus?

Christmas Cactus is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Should I fertilize my Christmas Cactus?

Christmas Cactus grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer . Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

Does Christmas Cactus go dormant?

It’s common for Christmas Cactus to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

Which region is Christmas Cactus native to?

Christmas Cactus is native to Southeastern Brazil .

What is the growth pattern for Christmas Cactus?

Christmas Cactus grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

How can I propagate my Christmas Cactus?

Christmas Cactus can be propagated by the stem method . To propagate: Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges. To get the cutting to root, you can either: Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

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Christmas Cactus

Q: Is Christmas Cactus easy to care for?

Christmas Cactus is generally easy to care for , though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Q: How often should I water my Christmas Cactus?

Christmas Cactus thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly . Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

4.6 out of 5 (11 experiences)

Survivor

Fast grower

About Christmas Cactus

Did you know plants in the Schlumbergera genus are actually leafless? Instead of leaves, they use modified stems to capture sunlight! Unlike the Easter cactus, this species flowers in the later autumn or winter. They also have pointed wings at the corners, where its counterpart has more rounded edges. In the wild, they are epiphytes, meaning they grow on tree branches or rocks! 🌳 🪨

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Schlumbergera russelliana

Genus

Schlumbergera

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

Also known as

Easter Cactus, Shrimp Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus and Schlumbergera bridgesii

How to care for Christmas Cactus

Water

How often to water your Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

Light

Check the growing potential in your area

A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Christmas Cactus in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Christmas Cactus: 3ft from a window

Christmas Cactus may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Christmas Cactus in your home 🏡.

Nutrients

How to fertilize Christmas Cactus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Christmas Cactus: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Christmas Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

FAQs

Difficulty Level

Christmas Cactus is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Water Needs

Sunlight Needs

Toxicity

Humidity

Soil

Fertilizer

Dormancy

Native Region

Growth Pattern