How To Get Your Christmas Cactus To Bloom

One of the most popular flowering plants around the holidays is the Schlumbergera bridgesii also know as The Christmas Cactus. These plant are from the Zygo- cactus family. They are a native to Central and South America. This plant is also called cacti but they are truly different then the common desert cactus with which we are familiar. These plants are called epiphytes and are found in the same environments as orchids. Like the orchids they are found in the branches of a tree that has been decaying with leaves and other natural debris. They are a tropical Cacti, their cultural requirements are very different from a true Cacti.

Hybridization had created resulted in new varieties of the Cactus, The Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus and Easter Cactus all bloom at different times of the year.

To get your Cactus to bloom during Christmas you will need to take these steps in September and October. Begin by moving them to a cool room where temperatures will remain around 50 to 60 degrees during the night. They should not be exposed to freezing temperatures. Keep them in a room where it will remain dark at night. Make sure there is no lamp left on as this is artificial light and will effect the budding process of your Cactus.( Turn off Computer Monitor if you have it on as it to will effect your budding process.

During September and October cut back the water you give your Christmas Cactus. You need to water it once a week when it is dried out. Never water from the top as it causes the plant roots to rot. Do not let it sit in a lot of excess water. Water only from the bottom. Let your plant soak up the water and remove any left. During the Spring and Summer months water your cactus like you would any other house plant. ( A good rule of thumb is to water the plant thoroughly and then as the soil dries out about a inch down in the soil its time to water it again.)

The Christmas Cactus needs indirect bright light during the day time and darkness at night. It requires about 60 percent humidity. You can get a small tray place gravel or stone in it fill the tray 1/4 of the way up with water. Now place your plant on the tray and let your Christmas Cactus get the humidity as the water begins to evaporate. Just let the plant use what it needs this is a easy way to give it the humidity it will must have.

Keep your Christmas Cactus away from fireplaces, heaters, door ways to the out side and drafty areas. As these changes in temperature can hurt your blooming process.
It can be very flustrating if the buds form and begin to develop and the begin dropping off this is caused by several things, to much water, not enough darkness, insufficient light or the lack of humidity.


You may fertilize The Christmas Cactus in late October and again in Feb using a liquid fertilizer 0-10-10. During the growing season fertilize the plant with a all purpose liquid house plant fertilizer. The nitrogen in your fertilizer should be no more then 10 percent ( its also the first number given on the bottle of fertilizer 0-10-10) someone once told me at the nursery.

After the Christmas holiday, the Christmas cactus should be given 30 days to rest keeping it back in a cool room with a small amount of water once again. It may loses a few leaves or the joints may appear weak during the resting period. Don't worry it will be alright.

Do not prune your Christmas Cactus at this time. The best time to prune the cactus is when the new growth begins in early spring around March or April. If your plant needs repotting its best to do around February, March and April.

The Cactus also loved to be crowded in a pot and will flower the best if kept in a container that lets it be root bound. If the Christmas Cactus is kept in the proper place with the proper care it is not unusual for it to flower more then once a year.

Christmas Cactus come in many colors and shades of reds, yellows, pinks, whites. I hope you have a chance to get one of The Christmas Cactus this holiday season. They also make great gifts.