Plant Care Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus

4.6 out of 5 (11 experiences)

Christmas Cactus has a Survivor plant personality Survivor
Christmas Cactus has a Fast grower plant personality 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

Schlumbergera russelliana
Schlumbergera
Cactaceae
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

Water needs for Christmas Cactus
0.5 cups
every 12

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.

Calculate water needs of Christmas Cactus

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
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
3ft or less 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
Propagation

Care Summary for Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 12 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Christmas Cactus has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 8
Christmas Cactus has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 3
Christmas Cactus has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 3
Christmas Cactus has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 2
Christmas Cactus has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 2
Christmas Cactus has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 1
Christmas Cactus has a Pest magnet plant personality Pest magnet 1
@Jeremuoi avatar
@@Jeremuoi
leaf-1 54 Plants
xp 4,428 XP
globe Nashville, TN
10/19/2021

Only blooms around Christmas

Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
Fast grower Fast grower
@BrandyLVSplants avatar
@@BrandyLVSplants
leaf-1 93 Plants
xp 6,167 XP
06/13/2021

Wonderful easy to care for plant! Should be everyone’s 1st plant!

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Blooms easily Blooms easily
Survivor Survivor

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