Christmas cactus are members
of the Zygo-cactus family. They are native to the mountainous regions of
Central and South America and they are more closely related to orchids then to
cactus. Tropical cacti requirements are different than desert cacti. They like
bright, indirect light, so no direct sun. An east facing window will work well.
They don’t like drafts, so place them away from heating vents, fireplaces or
doors that open to the outdoors.
Feed them with a 10-30-20 or 15-30-15 fertilizer. Water
thoroughly and allow soil to dry out before watering again. Test the soil with your finger. If the top
inch or so is dry, then it’s time to water.
Christmas cactus like high humidity
and an easy way to increase humidity is to place small rock in a saucer, add
water and set the plant on the saucer.
Make sure the pot is sitting on the
rock, not in the water. Daytime temperatures in the 70°’s and nighttime
temperatures in the 50°s to 60°s will help promote blooming. If the plant begins
to drop buds, it’s a sign of overwatering, insufficient light or low humidity. Long term care for Christmas cactus, they prefer
to be root-bound and can easily go three or four years without repotting. When you
decide to repot, chose a pot one size larger and use a potting soil that drains well. Whether you’re choosing a Christmas
cactus for yourself or as a gift, we have a variety of colors and sizes available
now.
'Dark Marie'
'Nicole'
'Youp'
I really appreciate the detailed care tips for the Christmas cactus! It's fascinating how these plants are more closely related to orchids than to typical desert cacti. For anyone interested in expanding their plant collection, if you're looking to Water Christmas Cactus or learn how to propagate a Polka Dot Plant, this information is super helpful. Keeping up with the humidity and light requirements seems key to maintaining their health and beauty. Thanks for sharing this great guide!
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