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 comes from shady, humid forests in Brazil. So, it isn’t into bone-dry soil or scorching sun, like the ‘normal’ cacti are!
Your Christmas cactus (as well as the other holiday cacti) goes into an active growth phase in the summer, so it drinks more than it does in the winter. But don’t get too carried away. Stick your finger an inch into the soil; if it’s dry at that depth, it’s time to water. If it’s still moist, give it a day or two. You want the soil to be damp, not soggy. Overwatering is the fastest way to get root rot, which is a can of worms you really don’t want to open.
So, how to approach the watering during summer? Water deeply, until a bit of water drains from the bottom of the pot—then stop. Let it dry out just enough before doing it again. If your plant is outside for the summer, make sure it’s in a shady spot. Morning sun is okay, but harsh afternoon rays can burn the leaves and dry out the soil too quickly. Furthermore, pots outside can dry faster, so check the soil more often than you would indoors.
Consistency is your best friend here. The goal is a steady rhythm—not flooding, not starving. Just a regular drink to keep your cactus happy and growing strong. And remember, the watering schedule is never set in stone—it changes all the time depending on the weather, etc. That’s why I always remind people to stick their finger in the pot, instead of just watering without checking. But it’s safe to say your watering schedule will be busier during the summer than the rest of the year—don’t let them go thirsty when the temps get high! 💦
Overwatered vs. Underwatered Christmas Cactus
So your Christmas cactus looks a bit off, and you’re not sure whether you’ve been too generous or too stingy with the watering can? Don’t worry—it’s a common problem, and the signs can sneak up on you.
Let’s start with overwatering. If your cactus feels mushy, limp, or like it’s deflating, you’ve probably given it too much love. The leaves may turn pale or translucent, and the base might even start rotting. Root rot is the silent killer here—it happens when the roots sit in soggy soil too long and basically start to drown. You might also detect a rotten smell coming from the soil. That’s a red flag.
Now for underwatering. As I said above, this cactus is not a desert dweller. If it’s too dry for too long, the leaves wrinkle and shrivel up, almost like they’re dehydrated. Instead of being firm and juicy, they feel thin and papery. The plant may also look droopy or faded.
If you’re not sure: gently squeeze a leaf. If it’s plump and firm, you’re probably in the sweet spot. If it’s soft and limp, it’s overwatered. If it’s wrinkly and flat, it’s thirsty. Furthermore, look at the soil; bone-dry and cracked is too dry. Wet and muddy? Too wet.
To fix overwatering, stop immediately and let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Consider repotting immediately if you suspect root rot. For underwatering, give it a good soak and adjust your routine to ensure that it gets watered before the soil goes completely dry.
It’s all about finding that balance and learning to read the signals your cactus is sending, as well as adjusting the needs according to the seasons.
I have gotten the impression that overwatering is the cause in most cases, not underwatering. It’s just too easy to take ”too good” care of them, a bit like a ”helicopter plant-parent”. But no need to worry, it’s easy to fix once you’re aware of the issue. 😊
Water Christmas Cactus When Blooming
When your Christmas cactus starts blooming, it’s basically putting on its big performance of the year—and it needs just the right amount of water to pull it off. This is a delicate time, and watering mistakes can cause buds to drop or flowers to wilt early.
The key here is consistency. You don’t want to let the soil dry out completely, but you also don’t want it soggy. A good rule: water when the top inch of soil feels dry. During the blooming phase, the plant is using more energy, so it requires a bit more water than usual—but still within reason. (No fertilizer!)
Use room-temperature water and water slowly until you see a little runoff from the drainage holes. Don’t let the pot sit in standing water, though. That can lead to root rot, even during blooming.
Also, don’t move the plant around too much (if at all) during this delicate time. Once it starts forming buds, even a simple shift in lighting or watering can cause the plant to get stressed and drop its buds or flowers. Keep it in one stable spot, and stick to your light watering routine.
One more tip: blooming can sometimes happen in late fall or early winter, so if your home gets dry from heaters running, that can disturb humidity levels. If you notice buds drying up or dropping, it’s often either too little water or low humidity—not just a watering issue, but still tied to moisture. In my house, the indoor air humidity drops very low during winter—I’m talking as low as 20%! So it’s been a real issue with my plants. (You can monitor the indoor air temp and humidity levels using a hygrometer, which I highly recommend.)
So, maintain a steady approach, and your cactus will reward you with a full, beautiful bloom that lasts for weeks. 🌺
Should Christmas Cactus Be Misted
This is one of those questions where the answer depends on your home environment—but overall, YES, your Christmas cactus (as well as the Thanksgiving & Easter cactus) will appreciate a little misting occasionally, especially if the air in your house is dry, as it is in mine!
Christmas cacti are native to the cloud forests of Brazil, where humidity is high and rain comes in bursts. That means they’re used to moist air, not dry, dusty rooms. If you live in a dry climate or have the heater running in winter, the air in your home can drop below 40% humidity—and your cactus will feel it. 50-60% would be ideal for them, and especially during the growing period—but as long as it’s above 40%, it’s fine.
Misting can help mimic that tropical vibe. Lightly mist the plant in the morning, so any moisture on the leaves can evaporate during the day. Don’t soak it. The idea is a fine mist—not a shower. My spray bottles have extra fine mist, which, in my humble opinion, is the best. When misting, focus on the area around the plant too: misting the air nearby can help raise humidity levels gently.
If you want to go a step further to tackle too dry indoor air, place a humidity tray under the pot. Just set the pot above a shallow tray filled with water and pebbles (so the bottom of the pot stays dry); as the water evaporates, it boosts local humidity. I’ve used these trays also for my Phalaenopsis orchids, and they work great!
That said, misting is not a replacement for watering the soil. Think of it as a bonus—like a little facial spray for your plant. And skip misting if your home already has decent humidity or if the cactus is in bloom. Misting flowers can shorten their lifespan or cause spotting.
So yes, your cactus might enjoy a light spritz—just don’t overdo it.
Watering Christmas Cactus in Winter
Winter is when your Christmas cactus wants to rest. After blooming, it slows down, enters a dormant phase, and uses less water. This is a key moment where a lot of people overwater without realizing it—especially around the holidays, when you’re focused on decorations and cozy vibes.
So here’s what to do: cut back. Wait longer between waterings, and always check the soil first. Stick your finger in about an inch. If it still feels moist, wait longer. If it’s dry, go ahead and water lightly. You’re aiming to keep the soil lightly moist—not wet and definitely not dry as a bone.
Also, watch the temperature. If your cactus is near a window or in a cooler room, it’s going to dry out slower. Less light and lower temps mean the plant isn’t growing much and doesn’t need as much hydration.
If you’re using a humidifier during winter to keep your skin happy, great news: your cactus will love it too. But even with decent humidity, you still need to be careful. Too much water combined with lower temperatures is a recipe for root rot. In which case, it’s better to keep the soil more on the dry side.
Repeat: If your home is more on the cool side during the winter, then keep the soil more dry (not moist!), to avoid root rot.
(Cool + Moist = Root rot)
Bottom line: winter watering is about restraint. Your plant isn’t thirsty the way it was in summer. A drink every 3–4 weeks might be enough, depending on the conditions in your home. Pay attention, don’t guess, and let your cactus rest peacefully until it’s ready to wake up in spring.
FINAL WORDS
I hope this post answered your questions about watering your Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti. How does your summer watering schedule look like, how often do you water? Do you mist at all? What about during the winter, how many weeks can your holiday cacti go without watering? You’re welcome to write in the comment section below—sharing is caring! <3
Thank you for reading. I appreciate you! 🙏
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