Give Your Holiday Cactus Some Love

As we head into November, your holiday cactus may need a little bit of attention to ensure that it will be in bloom and beautiful over the next couple of months.

Holiday cactus (Schlumbergera) are succulent plants native to northeast Brazil. Also known as Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera russelliana) or Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), they thrive here as a houseplant. These plants are day-length sensitive, which means they will start blooming when day length and seasons change. That’s part of why they are so popular around the winter holidays. 

For the best blooms, make sure your holiday cactus has bright, indirect light during the day and at least 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness at night. Once they develop buds, holiday cacti do not like to be disturbed, so be sure to place them now where you can see their blooms best.

These plants prefer moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees F) during the day and cooler temperatures (55 to 65 degrees F) overnight. Be careful about placing them near cold drafts or freezing temperatures, such as in windowsills.

They like humidity (50 to 60%) and well-drained soil. Keep them in containers with lots of holes to provide good drainage, and consider repotting every three years or so, as the plant grows. If they get too dry or too wet or if they undergo a major change in conditions, they can start dropping leaves and/or flower buds. Root rot is one of the most common reasons these plants die. 

With the right care, holiday cacti can live for 100 years or more, and they are often passed from generation to generation. They are also easy to propagate and share. If you’re looking to give a meaningful holiday gift, consider sharing a piece of your holiday cactus.

To propagate your holiday cactus:

• Cut a section of the plant that has two to five flattened stems or “joints.” You can either use individual joints to root or cuttings of two or three joints.
• Let these cuttings dry in a shady spot for two to three days, and then plant them cut-end down in a moist, well-draining potting mix.
• Keep the cuttings in bright indirect light, and make sure the potting mix stays moist. Roots should develop within a few weeks. 

To learn more:

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/schlumbergera/

https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/holiday-cacti

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/taylorco/2023/03/14/thanksgiving-christmas-easter-oh-my-what-cactus-do-i-have/