![]() ![]() It only started blooming more, once I started bringing it outdoors in summer. My Christmas cactus blooms in May-Junish, August and November.Īnd it’s just gorgeous when it’s in full bloom!Ĭhristmas Cacuts Care Growing Tip : Before I started regularly bringing my houseplants outside to summer, my Christmas Cactus did not bloom 2-3x per year – it was maybe more like 1-2x per year. Since I live in Zone 6a, in New Jersey, our last frost date is mid-May.I start feeding mine in February with a slow-release fertilizer that will feed for a few months.I’ve had mine for over 15 years now and my Christmas cactus blooms about 3x per year. There is a lot of information out there that says it will only bloom once a year. How to Get a Christmas Cactus to Bloom a Few Times Per Year ![]() When it’s outside and blazing hot out, I probably keep it watered weekly. So it’s pretty obvious when it’s thirsty.ĭuring the winter months, I water mine about every other week. ![]() The Christmas cactus will let you know when it’s thirsty because the foliage will start to pucker. Where my houseplants are concerned, I lean towards under-watering as opposed to over-watering. I haven’t used it before myself but I know others who have. You could also use this moisture testing meter. So what works for me, may not be the same for you.įor giving it the optimal care, test the soil for dryness using this method before watering. When to water will vary with the air temperature, amount of light, rate of growth and relative humidity of your home’s microclimate. Water the Christmas cactus when the top 1-2″ of soil feels dry to the touch. It does not receive any direct sunlight here. If you move a Christmas cactus outdoors in summer, they need to be kept shaded or in a semi-shaded location.Įvery summer, my Christmas Cactus enjoys this corner spot under the roofline on my deck. I still move it outdoors to summer and keep it under the back porch so it can joy the outdoors with indirect light. Since moving to our new home, I keep it in the sunroom which is located on the northern side of our home. When the danger of frost has passed, I used to bring it outside to summer on the deck where it stayed under the roofline and would get watered when I watered it. In general, Christmas cacti require bright indirect light or filtered light and enough moisture that the potting material does not dry out.ĭuring the colder months, in my former former home, I kept mine in a west facing window in my living room and it lives in this spot every year. So it does not thrive on neglect or lack of water. I know it’s called a Christmas cactus, so the name implies this indoor plant will thrive in hot dry conditions and poor soil.īut they actually need a little more attention than your average succulent. My Christmas cactus in the sunroom is just starting to flower Christmas Cactus Care If you look closely at them next time you are the nursery or garden centers, you’ll see the how not similar they are. On the outer edges of a Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), the foliage has more pointed or claw-shaped leaves.Īnd the Easter cactus (Schlumgergera gaertnerrii) foliage has more rounded edges. The foliage of the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) has a scalloped shape to them. ![]() And you can tell by looking at the leaf segments. While they look the same, they are different plants. It’s actually a great budget-friendly option as a hostess gift for any reason, so if you see one, buy it! Christmas Cactus vs. I mean, instead of giving a poinsettia as a hostess gift for the holidays, you can snag one of these for a few dollars at the nursery or even the local grocery store! While considered to be a long lasting holiday houseplant, the Christmas cactus is an attractive plant that can flower several times a year with bright colored beautiful flowers that you can’t beat.
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