If you are planning to plant and grow Christmas cactus blooms just in time for the holidays, then read this guide for Christmas cactus care.
How To Care For a Christmas Cactus?
Like any Australian plant, the Christmas cactus has its own unique requirements when it comes to proper care, growth encouragement, watering, how much sun it requires to bloom and flourish & so on.
During the rest of the article, we’ll be breaking down how to care for your Christmas cactus, so it looks its absolute best during the holiday season and beyond.
How To Grow a Christmas Cactus?
You can plant a Christmas cactus in the garden, grow it in a pot indoors, or have it located in a hanging basket. The Christmas cactus tends to thrive when hanging, although it’s capable of growing and doing well in all three environments.
If planting in the garden, you want the soil to drain well; otherwise, too much water can stunt the growth of this plant.
If you purchase a cactus from the store and wish to replant it in your garden, excavate a hole twice the size of the root ball, then gently prise the roots free and spread them out before positioning the cactus in the hole. Adding mulch around the cactus really finishes off the look.
How Often To Water a Christmas Cactus?
A Christmas cactus planted in a garden should be watered only once or twice a week. For plants located indoors or in a hanging basket, generally, watering once a week will suffice. Remember, you don’t want the soil to remain damp at all times. It needs to dry out between watering sessions for a Christmas cactus to thrive.
How To Make a Christmas Cactus Bloom?
To encourage your Christmas cactus to bloom, you need to place it in a very dark place for at least 12 hours a day (overnight). During the daytime, it’s okay to let the cactus have some bright light.
If you give your cactus the darkness it requires, you should find your Christmas cactus blooming in due course.
How Much Sun Does a Christmas Cactus Need?
Dappled sunlight is best for a cactus planted in the garden. For a Christmas cactus that’s indoors, ensure it receives plenty of bright, indirect sunlight every day to really flourish.
Talk To Hort Culture
We live and breathe plants and gardening. If you’d like to learn more about caring for a Christmas cactus or decorate your garden this Christmas, get in touch with us today.