Poinsettias, holly, and evergreen garlands are the most common greenery used in Christmas decorations, but what if we told you there's a festive tropical alternative? The Christmas cactus, named for its seasonal blooming period, is a unique type of cactus that blooms close to the holiday in early winter. It typically has bright pink or orange flowers, but it can also have white or red flowers or pretty much any combination of those hues. And fun fact: Easter and Thanksgiving cacti are similar to Christmas cacti, but both sprout close to their respective namesake holidays instead.
Even though they're low-maintenance succulents, Christmas cacti have different care needs than traditional Southwestern cactus plants. That's because the Christmas cactus is native to the jungle rather than the desert. If you're investing in one of these cute little plants to celebrate the holidays or add a pop of color to your home this winter, read on to learn everything you need to know about Christmas cactus care.
Christmas Cactus Care Essentials
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How Do I Care for a Christmas Cactus?
Christmas cacti act more like tropical plants than a typical cactus. If you've cared for aloe vera, a jade plant, or a snake plant, the routine is similar and easy for beginners to pick up.
Water
If the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, you'll want to water your cactus ASAP. That means you'll also want to keep it in a pot that has plenty of drainage. Once the water runs through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, discard the water in the tray so the plant isn't left sitting in it—that can lead to root rot, which can kill your new plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Unlike most cacti, which typically grow in arid environments, Christmas cacti are native to the rainforests of Brazil, where they grow high up in the tree branches. Because of their native habitat, these plants prefer a more humid climate than other cacti, so you should water your Christmas cactus regularly to keep it in tip-top shape.
For optimal growth, their ideal temperature is around 70 degrees during the day and around 60 degrees at night. It may sound counterintuitive, but cooler temperatures allow Christmas cacti to bloom even more flowers.
Sunlight
You'll need to keep your new Christmas cactus out of direct sunlight. While they like bright light, it needs to be indirect so the leaves and flowers don't scorch.
Soil and Fertilizer
Like any succulent, a Christmas cactus does best in well-draining soil. Opt for a pot with a drainage hole or place drainage rocks at the bottom to ensure excess water can escape. The Old Farmer's Almanac suggests feeding your Christmas cactus every two weeks from the spring to early fall using a complete houseplant fertilizer—during the fall and winter, you can scale back to feeding it once a month.
Pruning
To encourage more flowers to bloom when the time arrives, you should prune the plant in June. All you need to do is cut off a few sections of each stem.
Christmas Cactus Pests
- Mealybugs: These insects typically infect indoor plants. The good news is that they're easy to find. Pick them off with a toothpick or use a systemic insecticide formula to get rid of them.
- Spider mites: While you may be unable to detect these tiny insects on your Christmas cactus, you'll know they're around if you see their webbing on the leaves.
- Fungus gnats: A large infestation can cause your Christmas cactus to lose leaves. If insecticidal soap spray doesn't work, repot the plant.
What if My Christmas Cactus Isn't Blooming?
Cool It Down: Cooler temps will prompt your plant to sprout more blooms. Remember, it thrives from late December to early January, so mimic that weather as much as you can. Start with a temperature in the low 60s and work from there.
Warm It Up: After the initial buds appear, begin to increase the temperature slowly and provide the plant more sunlight followed by four to six hours of total darkness) to restart its blooming cycle. The plant's blooming process takes about six weeks.
Brittney Morgan is a noted land mermaid and a Virgo with a penchant for crafts, red lipstick, and buying way too many throw pillows. Her work has also been published at Apartment Therapy, NYLON, HuffPost, Hello Giggles, Elite Daily, and more.
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful's Digital Editor, writing in-depth , design inspiration stories, and . With over five years of experience writing commerce and search-optimized content for brands like Domino, Real Simple, and Architectural Digest’s Clever, Kate has developed a passion for uncovering the personal stories that often lie behind the inspiration for people’s spaces. She previously worked as the assistant market editor at ELLE Decor where she identified top products and brands in the industry and interviewed emerging designers about their thoughts on the latest . Kate holds a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University. When not researching the specificities of begonia plant care, you can find Kate scouring vintage markets for the ideal wrought-iron chair, knitting yet another cardigan, or reading historical nonfiction.
