The ground is covered with snow and winter is (unofficially) here. But wait! A glimmer of hope and sunshine will surely appear amongst your houseplants. It’s almost time for your Christmas cactus to bloom!
But what happens when it doesn’t? How do you get a Christmas cactus to bloom? And how do you care for your Christmas cactus afterwards? Here are 5 common solutions you can try before you give up on your poor Christmas cactus.
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a popular holiday houseplant known for its colorful blooms that appear around the Christmas season. However, getting your Christmas cactus to bloom can be tricky. If your plant is refusing to flower, there are several common reasons why your Christmas cactus may not be blooming.
Light Exposure
In order to bloom, Christmas cacti need prolonged periods of uninterrupted darkness. In their native environment in the rainforests of Brazil, they experience natural cycles of 12-14 hours of darkness in the fall and winter. Replicating these conditions encourages the plant to set buds and bloom.
Too much artificial light from indoor lighting or streetlights at night can disrupt the dark period and prevent flowering Similarly, insufficient daylight exposure during the day (less than 8-12 hours) can also hinder blooming.
Solution:
- Place the plant in a spot where it gets bright, indirect light during the day.
- Provide 12-14 hours of complete darkness at night by moving it to a dark room or covering it with a box.
- Avoid artificial light exposure at night.
Temperature Fluctuations
Christmas cacti prefer consistent, moderately cool temperatures between 60-70°F during the day and 50-60°F at night. Significant fluctuations in temperature can cause stress, preventing bud formation.
Sources of temperature swings include cold drafts heat vents, and proximity to windows. Even small variations in nighttime temperatures may be enough to inhibit flowering.
Solution:
- Keep the plant away from drafts, vents, and open windows.
- Maintain a stable environment between 60-70°F during the day and 50-60°F at night.
- Move the plant to a cooler room at night if needed.
Irregular Watering
Too much or too little water can lead to bud drop. Christmas cacti need less frequent watering from fall through early winter to initiate blooming. Constant moisture or saturated soil may promote root rot and hinder flowering.
On the other hand, insufficient watering causes dehydration stress. The plant then focuses its energy on survival rather than blooming.
Solution:
- Allow the soil to dry out more between waterings during the fall and early winter.
- Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry.
- When in doubt, err on the side of under-watering.
- Provide a humidity tray to prevent excess dryness.
Excessive Fertilizer
While fertilizer is beneficial in the spring and summer, too much continued fertilization in the fall can prevent Christmas cactus from blooming. The plant may focus energy on vegetative growth rather than flowering.
Solution:
- Discontinue fertilizer or use reduced amounts after September.
- Resume regular fertilizer applications in the spring after blooming concludes.
Insufficient Root Binding
Christmas cacti bloom best when slightly pot-bound. Too much space in the pot can cause the plant to focus on root growth rather than flowering.
Solution:
- Choose a pot only 1-2 inches larger than the root ball.
- Repot every 2-3 years in the spring, moving up just one pot size.
- Avoid frequent repotting unless the plant is severely root-bound.
Improper Pruning
Pruning at the wrong time of year removes potential flowering sites. Christmas cacti bloom on last year’s growth, so any branches you prune will not bloom that season.
Solution:
- Prune right after blooming finishes in late winter/early spring.
- Avoid pruning in the fall to prevent removing flower buds.
Insufficient Rest Period
In their native environment, Christmas cacti experience a cool, dry rest period in the fall that triggers blooming. Lack of this dormancy period often inhibits flowering.
Solution:
- Starting 6-8 weeks before desired bloom, provide cooler temps, reduced watering, and 12+ hours of darkness.
- Maintain rest conditions for 6-8 weeks.
- Gradually resume normal growing conditions as buds start to form.
Age of the Plant
Younger Christmas cactus plants may not bloom consistently. Blooming frequency and abundance typically increase as the plant matures over time. Patience is required for younger plants.
Solution:
- Allow at least 2-3 years for young cuttings to reach blooming maturity.
- Provide optimal care to encourage growth and vigor.
- Pinch back stem tips to promote branching and flowering sites.
Environmental Changes
Christmas cacti are sensitive to any alterations in their environment. Repotting, moving locations, changes in humidity or drafts may all cause bud drop.
Solution:
- Keep conditions stable once buds appear.
- Avoid repotting, moving, or changing lighting or temperatures.
- Wait until the next season to make environmental changes.
By troubleshooting these common issues, you can get your Christmas cactus to provide the colorful holiday blooms you desire. Pay close attention to day length, temperatures, watering, dormancy, and light exposure in the fall to encourage flowering. With a little patience and optimal care, your Christmas cactus will reward you with its vibrant winter display.
It’s Getting Too Much Light
Starting in October, the plant needs at least 12 hours of darkness to bloom. This might not be a problem if you live in a more northern latitude, but it may be a bit trickier the further south you are. Unfortunately, artificial lights can mess with the 12 hours of darkness that are needed. The easiest way to solve this problem is to move your plant to a room in your home that is not often used during the evening.
Also, please don’t take this number as a rule to live and die by! When I first edited this blog post, it was October 19th in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and there were approximately 10 1/2 hours of sunlight daily. (I checked on a sunrise-to-sunset calculator.)
Your particular variety might bloom a little sooner or a little later. Just be patient!
It’s not actually a Christmas Cactus
Did you know that there are actually three different types of cacti that look like a Christmas cactus? There is a Thanksgiving cactus, a Christmas cactus, and an Easter cactus. If you’ve tried everything in this post and still have no blooms, you might have a different cactus than you originally thought.
Christmas Cactus (or Thanksgiving Cactus) WON’T FLOWER??? Here is what to do!
FAQ
How do I get my Christmas cactus to bloom?
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Cooler Temperatures:Christmas cacti are native to rainforests and prefer cooler temperatures, especially during the period when they are setting buds. Aim for night temperatures between 55°F and 65°F (13-18°C).
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Reduced Light:Christmas cacti are short-day plants, meaning they need a period of darkness to trigger flowering. Provide 12-16 hours of darkness per day for 6-8 weeks, starting in late summer or early fall. You can achieve this by placing the plant in a dark room or closet during the evening.
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Dormancy Period:During the 6-8 week period of cooler temperatures and darkness, reduce watering slightly. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to encourage dormancy, which is essential for bud formation.
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Timing:Start the cooler temperatures and darkness treatment 6-8 weeks before the desired bloom time, which is typically around the holidays.
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After Blooming:Once buds start to form, you can gradually return the plant to its normal location and watering schedule.
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Other Tips:
- Location: Choose a location that receives bright, indirect light, but not direct sunlight.
- Watering: Water thoroughly when the soil is dry, but avoid overwatering.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer).
- Root-bound: Christmas cacti tend to bloom better when they are slightly root-bound, so avoid repotting them into much larger containers.
- Avoid artificial light at night: Make sure the plant doesn’t get exposed to artificial light at night during the bloom period.
- Location: Choose a location that receives bright, indirect light, but not direct sunlight.
What two things trigger a Christmas cactus to bloom?
Blooms requires two things: cooler temperatures and long nights. These cacti are short-day plants, which means that blooms are triggered by long dark cool nights. They need between 14-16 hours of uninterrupted darkness and 8 hours of daylight for between 3 – 6 weeks to set flower buds.
Why is my Christmas cactus not flowering?
- 1. It’s Too Warm
- 2. You Gave it Too Much Love Over the Summer (aka Stop Overwatering!)
- 3. It Didn’t Need to be Re-Potted
- 4. It’s Getting Too Much Light
- 5. It’s not actually a Christmas Cactus
How often should you water a Christmas cactus?
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Watering Frequency:
- General Rule: Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.
- More Light, More Water: If your Christmas cactus is in a brighter location, you may need to water more frequently.
- Less Light, Less Water: If the plant is in a lower-light area, you can water less often.
- Blooming: During the blooming season (typically fall and winter), ensure the soil stays slightly moist to encourage flowering.
- After Blooming: Reduce watering after the blooming period to allow the plant a “rest”.
- General Rule: Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.
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Signs of Overwatering:
- Yellowing or Dropping Leaves: Overwatering can cause yellowing, dropping of leaves, and even root rot.
- Mushy or Soft Stems: Overly wet soil can lead to soft, mushy stems.
- Bud Dropping: If your cactus is dropping buds, it could be an indication of overwatering.
- Yellowing or Dropping Leaves: Overwatering can cause yellowing, dropping of leaves, and even root rot.
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Signs of Underwatering:
- Wrinkled or Shriveled Leaves: Underwatering can lead to limp, shriveled leaves.
- Stunted Growth: A lack of water can hinder growth.
- Failure to Bloom: Insufficient moisture can prevent blooming.
- Wrinkled or Shriveled Leaves: Underwatering can lead to limp, shriveled leaves.
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Tips for Watering:
- Use a Pot with Drainage: Ensure your pot has drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom.
- Water Thoroughly: When you do water, water thoroughly until water drains out of the bottom of the pot.
- Don’t Let the Soil Dry Out Completely: While you want to avoid soggy soil, also avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
- Consider Humidity: Christmas cacti prefer higher humidity, so you can increase humidity by placing the pot on a tray of pebbles with water or misting the plant occasionally.
- Use a Pot with Drainage: Ensure your pot has drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom.
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Best Practices:
- Check the Soil: Always check the soil moisture before watering, rather than relying on a set schedule.
- Observe Your Plant: Pay attention to your plant’s signs of stress or needs and adjust your watering accordingly.
- Water in the Morning: Watering in the morning allows the plant to absorb the water during the day, rather than sitting in wet soil overnight.
- Check the Soil: Always check the soil moisture before watering, rather than relying on a set schedule.
Do Christmas cactus need a lot of light?
Christmas cactus is native to rainforest and prefers more moisture and humidity than other cacti to promote flowering. Too many hours of light. Christmas cactus is a short-day plant and requires at least 12 hours of darkness for 6 weeks from around September to form flower buds. Large pots or containers.
Do Christmas cactus have flowers?
Flowers usually form at the end of the stems. Therefore, the more stems your plant has, the more flowers it will produce. Typically, these cacti bloom around the Christmas period hence the name Christmas cactus. However, it is good to note that the term “ Christmas cactus ” has become generic to three different types of cacti in the same family.
How do you get a Christmas cactus to bloom?
The only way to get a Christmas Cactus to bloom is to plan ahead and coax it into flowering long before you want it to bloom.
Why is my Christmas cactus not blooming?
Many plant owners struggle to get their Christmas Cactus to bloom, often due to a few common mistakes that disrupt its growth and flowering cycle. In this article, we’ll identify what might be stopping your plant from blooming and share simple solutions to get your Christmas Cactus covered in beautiful blooms just in time for the holiday season. 1.
Do Christmas cactus bloom at night?
Christmas cactuses are short-day plants, meaning they need longer nights to bloom. If you keep your plant in a room with too much artificial light in the evening, it may confuse it. To help your cactus bloom, make sure it gets at least 12 to 14 hours of darkness starting in the fall.
Why are my Christmas cactus buds not opening?
Considering how sensitive a Christmas cactus can be, its buds may not open if you’re not properly taking care of it as ideally as possible. Keeping them in the shade and exposing them to indirect light will reward you with lots of blooms during flowering season.