Plant Care Schlumbergera X Buckleyi

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi

5.0 out of 5 (7 experiences)

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate
Schlumbergera X Buckleyi has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower

About Schlumbergera X Buckleyi

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 x buckleyi
Schlumbergera
Cactaceae
Caryophyllales

Also known as

True Christmas Cactus, True Christmas Cactus, Christmas Cactus and Holiday Cactus

How to care for Schlumbergera X Buckleyi

💦 Water

How often to water your Schlumbergera X Buckleyi

Water needs for Schlumbergera X Buckleyi
0.5 cups
every 12

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi 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 Schlumbergera X Buckleyi

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for True Christmas Cactus in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Schlumbergera X Buckleyi: 3ft from a window
3ft or less from
a window

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi 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 Schlumbergera X Buckleyi in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Schlumbergera X Buckleyi

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Schlumbergera X Buckleyi: 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 Schlumbergera X Buckleyi after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #TrueChristmasCactus
💡 FAQs
💦 Water Needs

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi 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.

True Christmas Cactus Water Frequency →

True Christmas Cactus Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi 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 🏡.

True Christmas Cactus Light Requirements →

True Christmas Cactus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi 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.

Is True Christmas Cactus Edible? →


💨 Humidity

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi 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.

True Christmas Cactus Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi 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!

Best Soil Mix for True Christmas Cactus →

Best Pots for True Christmas Cactus →

When and How to Successfully Repot True Christmas Cactus →

What Are Healthy True Christmas Cactus Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi 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!

How Much and When to Fertilize True Christmas Cactus →


❄️ Dormancy

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


🌎 Native Region

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi is native to Southeastern Brazil.


🌦️ Growing Outdoors
🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Schlumbergera X Buckleyi. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


Care Summary for Schlumbergera X Buckleyi

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi


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

Schlumbergera X Buckleyi has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 6
Schlumbergera X Buckleyi has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 5
Schlumbergera X Buckleyi has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 4
Schlumbergera X Buckleyi has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 3
Schlumbergera X Buckleyi has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 2
Schlumbergera X Buckleyi has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 1
@MizSherm avatar
@@MizSherm
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 1,217 XP
globe Aurora, IL
01/24/2022

This plant needs little care and blooms profusely.

Blooms easily Blooms easily
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Fast grower Fast grower
@Nerskine avatar
@@Nerskine
leaf-1 16 Plants
xp 3,411 XP
11/04/2021

I got this as a cutting from my father in law, and it’s been in the family for over 100 years. It had quite a bit of root rot when I got it, so I saved the best stems and I’ve been propagating it regularly to fill it out so eventually I can have a big, bushy hanging plant. It grows quickly and seems happy in a sunny western window with a quick mist every day.

Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@paradoxy avatar
@@paradoxy
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 214 XP
globe Denver, CO
07/22/2021

Hardy plant, fun to grow! If I took care of it better it would bloom more, but that’s why I’m here!

Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@king-dingus avatar
@@king-dingus
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 145 XP
globe Victoria, British Columbia
07/06/2021

Had these guys in the house for my entire childhood, and they grow like mad when they’re in season. My tiny cutting has been sprouting offshoots every three days. Keep to a consistent watering schedule, give them some good light, and you’ll find yourself needing to set up supports soon just to keep it standing until it hardens off! When these guys bloom it’s truly a sight to behold, and never gets old. Recommend one of these for anyone who wants a low maintenance plant!

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Browns easily Browns easily

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