How to Propagate Christmas Cactus Plants

There are many varieties of Schlumbergera bridgesii, more commonly known as Christmas Cactus, and all of them propagate in the same way--by cuttings. Whether they are a true Christmas cactus that blooms in December, or a Holiday cactus that blooms anywhere from Halloween to Christmas, it is very easy to root them to start new plants. Just don't expect them to bloom for the first several years.

Things You'll Need

• Sterile plant pot Sterile potting soil

Instructions

1. Pour potting soil in the plant pot. Wet it thoroughly with water that is room temperature.

2. Break an end section off of the main Christmas cactus plant. The plant grows new leaves from the end, so break off a healthy-looking one that is fully developed.

3. Plant the section by placing the broken end of the leaf in the wet soil. Plant it about 3/4 inch in the soil. Pack the soil tightly around the leaf. If the soil doesn't feel really wet, add more water. Don't be afraid of over-watering for the first month, as the plant needs constant moisture to develop and grow roots.

4. Place the plant in a warm, sunny location. Add water every 2 days to keep the soil moist. The leaf may look droopy for up to 6 months, but as long as it has moist soil, it will eventually root.

   Once the plant has rooted, it will grow best in a cool location out of direct sunlight.

Tips & Warnings

• Move Christmas Cactus plants outdoors in the shade for the summer and early fall for carefree care. They can go fairly long periods without water once they are well rooted. They may immediately start to bud when you bring them inside in the fall. Fertilize the plants after they bloom.

• The blossoms of the Christmas cactus can stain fabric and even wood floors if they fall onto surfaces and are left too long.