How to Identify Holiday Cactus Unlike typical desert cacti, Schlumbergeras don’t thrive in sandy, arid soils. These unique cacti are actually tropical epiphytes, meaning they grow on trees in rainforest environments. They aren’t parasitic—they simply use the trees as a surface to anchor themselves and gather moisture and nutrients from the air and debris around […]
How to Prune Your Christmas Cactus for Winter
One good trick I can share with you is to give your Christmas cactus a little pre-season TLC—with some well-timed pruning. This will help it look its best and burst into bloom over the holidays. Not only will it help shape the plant, but it also encourages more flower buds. Think of it as a […]
How to Get Your Christmas Cactus to Bloom Indoors in the Fall
If you want to make sure your Christmas cactus explodes in blooms come fall, you’ve got to start adjusting well before the holiday season. Unlike most flowering houseplants, this one isn’t just going to bloom spontaneously—it needs a cue. And here’s the thing: it’s not about feeding it more fertilizer or watering it better (though […]
How to Water Your Christmas Cactus in the Summer
Summer is the time when your Christmas cactus is soaking up the heat and busy producing new growth. But keep in mind: while it may look like your plant is enjoying the sun, it still needs you to be careful with watering. This isn’t a regular cactus that thrives in dry, sandy deserts—your Christmas cactus […]
Why is my Christmas cactus losing all its leaves?
If your Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is suddenly shedding its leaves (cladodes), don’t panic. Leaf drop isn’t something unheard of—it has happened to me too, more than once! When something’s off, these plants react to it. But look at it like this; the plant is sending you a message that something’s wrong. And it’s now your […]
Why is My Christmas Cactus Getting Soft Leaves?
If your Christmas cactus has soft, limp leaves, it’s telling you something’s not quite right. No need to panic, though—you’ve come to the right place for help. The good news is that Schlumbergera cacti are tough cookies, and there’s usually time to turn things around. So let’s take a deep breath and break down exactly […]
Why is my Christmas cactus not getting buds anymore?
When the holiday season approaches, I always start to check my cacti for buds—it’s an exciting time of the year! I love my cacti even as the green houseplants they are most of the year. But I’m not going to lie and say I wouldn’t want them to bloom every year, and for as long […]
Why Is My Christmas Cactus Not Getting Bigger?
I’ve kept Schlumbergeras for years. In fact, I got my first one in my teens in the 90s. Over the years, I’ve encountered several Christmas cacti (as well as Thanksgiving and Easter cacti) that simply seemed to be stuck at the same size year after year. At the time, I didn’t really understand why they […]
When to Put Christmas Cactus in Dark Shade
If you want to make sure your Christmas cactus blooms this year, you’ve got to understand one thing: light matters, and so does darkness. The whole blooming process is triggered by a balance between light exposure and total darkness. So, the “dark shade” trick isn’t just some old gardener’s tale—it’s actually part of the plant’s […]
When to Repot Christmas Cactus in Spring
Spring is, without a doubt, the best time to repot your Holiday cactus. Why? Because it’s coming out of its winter dormancy and getting ready to grow again. You’ll often see new little segments forming, which is the sign that it’s waking up after winter and ready for a fresh start. Repotting now gives your […]