How to Make a Christmas Cactus Bloom

Christmas cacti are a popular plant but can be frustrating to re-bloom. Care givers with green thumbs scratch their heads, while those who ignore their plants in an empty room get great results. The needs of this plant are straightforward but a little odd. Once you know what the cacti are looking for you can have blooms for the holidays.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check that your plant is getting enough darkness. These cacti require at least 13 hours of continual darkness to trigger blooming. As the days get shorter in mid-September, place your plant in a room where you rarely turn on the lights. The garage is a good choice. Even artificial light can discourage blooms.

2. Choose an area with a regularly cool temperature. The basement is another option. These plants respond well to prolonged periods of cooler temperatures. You can not get flowers to bloom if the temperature at night is above 70 degrees F. Between 50 to 55 degrees F is ideal.

3. Water less. In their native habitat, these plants are used to a long dry spell before rain and flowering. Stop watering except for rarely in late August. Wait until the plant has flower buds and then start watering regularly again.

4. Repot your cactus if it needs it. If the roots are searching for somewhere else to go, increase the pot by one size. Repotting cannot make your Christmas cactus flower, but it can make it healthier and fuller when it does.

5. Give the Christmas cactus plenty of bright, indirect light once the flowers begin to bloom. Let the plant dry between waterings. Once flowering begins these plants have different expectations. Failing to keep up with them can make flower buds drop off.

6. Keep your plant wherever you want during the rest of the year. Some have had luck leaving it outside in the shade. If you do this, keep an eye on it. Change its lighting conditions slowly because even a cactus can get a sun burn.