Caring for Christmas Cactus

Although the Pointsettia may be the most popular holiday plant, there is nothing more beautiful or exotic looking than a Christmas Cactus in full bloom.

Perhaps you yourself have been the lucky recipient of a Christmas Cactus this year. With a little knowledge and care on your part, your tropical cactus will reward you year after your with bountiful blooms of pink, red, or coral.

Is a Christmas Cactus Really a Cactus?

In reality, the Christmas Cactus is not a cactus at all. It is an epiphyte (native to Central and South America), and can be found growing in the same environment as orchids. That is, in the forks of tree limbs and trunks where natural debris such as decayed leaves accumulate.

Identifying The Different Varieties

There are, in fact, several varieties of holiday cactus, each with its own unique characteristics and blooming habits. Easter Cacti have rounded "teeth" along the edges of their stem segments and bloom in the spring. If conditions are favorable, they may re-bloom later in the year as well. Thanksgiving Cacti have sharp teeth along their stem segments and bloom earlier than Christmas Cacti. Buds emerge from older stem segments as well as the tip of the last segment. Finally, Christmas Cacti have scalloped edges on their stem segments and bloom from the tip of the last segment.

Tips on Caring for All Your Tropical Cacti

As a tropical cacti, care requirements for the Christmas Cacti are very different from desert cacti. Many articles about Christmas Cactus suggest placing your cactus in the dark for extended periods prior to the holdiays to be assured of plentiful blooms.

However, I have found that the secret to success with Christmas Cactus (and all tropical cactus varieties) is in finding a preferred window location and letting nature take care of the darkness/light issue. My own cacti are in a northeast facing window, and bloom just in time for the holidays, without any special assistance from yours truly. You will receive more blooms in a window with brighter light, but tropical cacti can be burned by too much direct sunlight. If your cacti leaves are turning red, it is an indication that the light is too strong at that particular location and another window may be a better choice.

Once you have found a desirable location for your holiday cactus, here are a few tips to keep your tropical friend happy and healthy.

• Blooms last longer in cooler locations. Keep your tropical cacti away from the fireplace, woodstove, or direct drafts from heat vents.
• Likewise, Christmas Cacti do not like cold drafts either, so don't place them near a door to the outside.
• Remove blooms as they become spent. Gently hold the end of the stem between your thumb and forefinger and twist the flower with your other hand.
• Since they are not 'desert' cacti, don't let them dry out too much. Water thoroughly when the top inch of potting mix is dry to the touch.
• Christmas Cacti prefer to be somewhat "root bound" and will flower more abundantly this way. However, if you do wish to repot your cacti, be sure to use a cacti potting mix - or create your own with 2 parts potting soil and 1 part sand or vermiculite.
• Fertilize your tropical cacti with regular houseplant fertilizer during the year, stopping a month or so before bloom time.
• If your cacti is looking a bit too leggy, you may encourage fuller, branching growth by pinching back or cutting off a few of the end segments of each branch. Don't forget to root these cuttings and share them with your friends! Cuttings can be rooted in moist vermiculite or even a glass of water - change water frequently until roots appear.

A little care will go a long way with holiday cactus. My own Christmas Cactus is from a cutting from my mother's cactus, which in turn is from a cutting of my grandmother's cactus. You might say, a beautiful, living family heirloom.

Please refer to our Houseplants Archive for additonal articles.