How to cultivate and care for a Christmas Cactus
Like several other holiday plants, the Christmas Cactus (genus Schlumbergera) is a symbol of the festive season due to its pink, red, or purple flowers that bloom in December. It is highly appreciated as a Christmas gift or as a decorative element in homes. Even beyond the flowering period, this plant can be highly decorative, thanks to the uniqueness of its stems and its intense green color.
Non-toxic to humans and animals, dogs and cats may experience gastrointestinal problems if they nibble on it. Therefore, it is preferable not to keep it if you have furry friends at home. The Christmas cactus is also an easy-to-care-for plant, unlike its counterpart, the Poinsettia, which requires a lot of attention to grow and bloom each year. Therefore, this cactus will bring you a great deal of satisfaction throughout the year with its vibrant colors.
But how do you take care of this wonderful plant? Let's find out below:
Cultivation and care of a Christmas Cactus
Native to the rainforests, the Christmas cactus - unlike other succulents - loves humidity and filtered light. Its ideal position is next to an east-facing window, so that it receives indirect light in the early morning. It can be placed outdoors in the summer, provided it remains in a shaded area, and should be brought indoors when temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius.
Like many tropical plants, the Christmas cactus is sensitive to water stagnation and should only be watered when the soil is dry, and with a layer of expanded clay placed at the base of the pot. Every 15 days during flowering period - and once a month during its non-flowering time - it should be fertilized with a potassium-rich product. In late spring, pruning can be done by removing older and damaged parts.
The Christmas cactus is a fast-growing plant, so it is advisable to repot it every year at the end of the flowering period.
Various types of Christmas cactus
There are 3 main varieties of Christmas cactus:
- The Easter cactus is the first to bloom, between March and May, and features vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in red, orange, or pink.
- The Thanksgiving cactus begins flowering in early November and continues throughout December. It is also known as the Crab Cactus due to the sharp spikes on its square segments.
- The Christmas cactus, finally, is the last to bloom, between December and January. It comes in numerous hybrids that differ in small ways.
All these different varieties grow rapidly and live for long, making them true transgenerational plants.
Have you already chosen your Christmas cactus?
