Christmas cactus is one of the easiest holiday plants to keep for years, and one of the most rewarding. With a little timing, it will cover itself in pink, red or white blooms every winter. It's also non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a great gift for pet owners.

It's not a desert cactus

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) comes from the cloud forests of Brazil, where it grows on trees, not in sand. That means it wants more water and less harsh sun than a desert cactus. Think of it as a tropical houseplant, not a succulent.

Everyday care

• Light: bright indirect light. An east window or a few feet back from a south or west window is ideal. Too much direct summer sun turns the leaves reddish.
• Water: water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry. Keep it a little more evenly moist while it's in bud and bloom, and a little drier after flowering.
• Soil: a well-draining mix. Our Tropical Potting Mix with a handful of extra bark or perlite works well.
• Pot: it likes being a bit snug in its pot and blooms best when slightly root-bound. Repot every 2–3 years, after flowering.
• Feeding: feed monthly from spring to late summer, then stop in fall.

How to get it to bloom

Flower buds are triggered by long nights and cool temperatures in the fall. Victoria's autumn does most of the work for you:

1. From early October, give it 12–14 hours of real darkness each night. A spare room that doesn't get evening lamp light is perfect.
2. Keep it cool, around 13–18°C at night. A cooler room or a spot away from heaters helps.
3. Water a little less for those few weeks.
4. Once you see buds forming at the tips of the stems, move it wherever you'd like to enjoy it.

Why are the buds falling off?

Bud drop is the most common Christmas cactus frustration. It's usually caused by a sudden change:

• Moving the plant to a new spot once buds have formed
• Drafts, or sitting near a heater, fireplace or cold door
• Letting the soil dry out completely, or overwatering

Pick its holiday spot early and leave it there until it's done blooming.

After it blooms

Let it rest for a month or so with slightly less water. In spring you can trim it by twisting off a segment or two at the joints. This makes it bushier and gives you cuttings to share. Christmas cactus roots easily: let the cutting dry for a day, then tuck it into slightly damp soil. (See our Propagation 101 guide.)

Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus?

Many "Christmas cactus" sold today are actually Thanksgiving cactus, which bloom a few weeks earlier. You can tell by the leaf segments: Thanksgiving cactus has pointed, claw-like teeth on the edges, while true Christmas cactus has rounded, scalloped edges. Both are cared for the same way.

Find yours in the shop

Our Christmas cactus are in stock now in 4" and 6" sizes, budding up for the holidays. Pair one with a ceramic planter for an easy, pet-safe gift, or come see them at 515 Chatham St #103 (open 11–5, 7 days a week).