Christmas cactus are hugely popular for their cheery festive flowers which dazzle in time for the holidays. Adorning the end of each trailing, segmented stem, their fun and curious blooms shine out in shades of scarlet, tangerine, magenta, pale pink and white.
While long-lived, these trailing plants do have a slightly diva-ish reputation, when it comes to plant care, putting many people off from buying or gifting them, or indeed keeping them beyond the Christmas festivities.
Learning how to grow a Christmas cactus, and specifically where to position them indoors during November (a crucial period for bud development) is the secret to good plant health and plentiful flowers. And if you're unsure which color to go for, opt for Costa Farms Christmas cactus 3-pack from Lowe's.
Not to be confused with a Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), a true Christmas cactus has smooth and curvy leaf sections (minus the tiny horns) and loves a well lit position in your home.
'Bright light is best; a spot within about 3 feet or so of an east- or west-facing window in most areas is ideal,' says horticulturalist Justin Hancock. 'You want your plant to cast a medium to strong shadow for at least several hours a day. This is important because if it doesn’t get enough light, it won’t have the energy to bloom well.'
Horticulture specialist Laura Coggan also suggests: 'An east-facing window is ideal. A south or west window works behind a sheer curtain as direct midday sun scorches the segments.'
An easy way to monitor light levels is using a dedicated app such as Photone Grow Light Meter. Alternatively a 3 in 1 soil moisture meter, such as this one from Walmart, can give quick and accurate light level readings.
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Provide a Steady Climate
A consistent daylight and temperature pattern is the key to making a Christmas cactus bloom.
'Unlike desert-dwelling cacti, Holiday Cacti are native to tropical rainforests and prefer humidity levels over about 40 or 45 percent,' says Justin.
'Your Holiday Cactus is comfortable in the same temperature range as you are; 65F or so to 80F with a drop of about 5 to 10 degrees at night. This nightly drop is very helpful in getting the plant to bloom.'
Short daylight hours and long periods of darkness (around 12-14 hours for a period of 6 to 8 weeks) with low temperatures of 50–59°F (10–15°C) prompts the plant to enter dormancy and signals for it to divert energy into flower bud production. Watching these tiny nubs develop on the leaf tips, swell and open into glorious blooms is, for many, a quietly anticipated festive event.
'When you’ve found a good spot, try not to move it to different locations to avoid stress from sudden shifts in its environment,' explains plant expert Paris Lalicata. 'Once buds start to form, avoid rotating the plant which can cause the flower buds to drop prematurely due to the energy it takes to re-orient themselves to the lighting.'
Christmas cactus plants dislike any change in their environment, especially a sudden drop in temperature or air movement.
Like all indoor succulents, their sectioned, fleshy leaves - known as cladodes - store large amounts of water to sustain the plant through potential drought. Any sudden drop in temperature can damage (or freeze) the delicate plant cells, slowing or stopping photosynthesis and turning the once turgid stems to soften and turn into mush.
'In nature, this plant is not subjected to blasts of hot or cold air, so to keep it comfortable in your home, it shouldn’t be, either. Watch for heating vents, drafty windows, etc. where the air temperature can change suddenly,' cautions Justin.
Boost humidity by grouping Christmas cactus together on a multi-level plant stand such as this one from Walmart.
Why The Wrong Position Prevents Flowering
Dark, unlit corners, cold drafts or spots right beside a heater all spell disaster for Christmas cactus. Simply put, place this plant in the wrong position and it will struggle to thrive, let along produce any blooms.
'Fluctuations in the plant's environment like drafts, low humidity or low light, as well as improper care like over or underwatering can also prevent the plant from thriving and developing flower buds,' notes Paris.
The common indoor plant mistake that is usually responsible for Christmas cactus failing to bloom lies in the lighting. 'A Christmas cactus that is exposed to too much artificial lighting after sundown can inhibit blooming since they need a longer period of darkness,' Paris explains.
If you do opt for a spot away from natural light, 'Keep the plant in a dark corner with a grow light overhead set on a 8 hour timer.' This LED dimmable grow light with timer from Lowe's works well.
There's no doubt Christmas cactus are amongst the best festive houseplants, adding holiday cheer to any room but if you do fancy adding to your leafy decorations check out these Christmas cactus alternatives.
If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?
Justin Hancock is a Costa Farms horticulturist with over 25 years in the industry. A plant enthusiast and educator, he has a degree in horticultural science and has worked in garden centers and botanical gardens, as a garden designer, and in garden publishing (including at ). He has experience gardening across the country, from Minnesota to Miami to Oregon. Justin is also co-host of the Costa Farms podcast .
Environmental horticulture specialist for Park Seed, with formal training in plant performance, garden design, and seasonal crop selection.
Paris has been with The Sill for almost five years and heads up Plant Education and Community. A self-taught plant expert with over ten years of experience growing houseplants, she currently maintains an indoor garden of more than 200 plants in the northeast. Her passion is making plant care more digestible for budding plant parents and sharing the many benefits of having plants indoors.