Stop Killing Your Christmas Cactus! Avoid These Common Pitfalls

Today I saw something that made me angry… An article on Facebook with a “super fertilizer” for the Christmas cactus, so it will bloom more now at Christmas. It was supposed to apply now in November. Well this upset me because we CANNOT fertilize the plant at this time, it will only weaken it. Taking this into consideration, I decided to write this article.

Fertilizing the plant at the wrong time is just one of the mistakes that people tend to make (I’ve made this mistake myself, and killed my plant), so I decided to put together some of the most common mistakes when caring for the plant.

Let’s explore these pitfalls and how to prevent them.

Coffe Grounds
Using coffee grounds on your Christmas cactus can be a great natural way to boost its growth and health. Coffee grounds add organic material and provide a small amount of nitrogen, which can help improve soil structure and promote strong, vibrant foliage.

While it’s tempting to feed your cactus to encourage growth, fertilizing in November can actually disrupt its natural blooming cycle!

By this time, your cactus is likely forming buds and preparing to bloom.

Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen-rich formulas, will promote leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

Instead, if you must feed, choose a low-nitrogen fertilizer to support blooms—but even then, use it sparingly. Once your cactus is in full bloom, it’s best to avoid fertilizing altogether until after the flowers fade and the plant begins its resting period.

Lemon Juice
It’s best to avoid using orange & lemon juice on your Christmas cactus. The acidity and sugars in orange/lemon juice can disrupt the soil’s pH balance, attract pests, and even harm the roots, which could hinder blooming.

Here are four gentle, homemade fertilizers perfect for supporting your Christmas cactus in November without disrupting its blooming cycle:

  • Banana Peel Tea: Soak banana peels in water for 24-48 hours. The resulting tea is rich in potassium, which supports flower formation. Use it to water your cactus sparingly.
  • Coffee Grounds: Coffee grounds are acidic and provide a small amount of nitrogen. Mix a tablespoon into your cactus soil, but only if it’s already alkaline, as Christmas cacti prefer a slightly acidic pH.
  • Epsom Salt Solution: Dissolve ½ teaspoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water. This magnesium boost encourages stronger blooms and healthier foliage. Use once a month.
  • Eggshell Water: Soak crushed eggshells in water overnight for a calcium-rich solution. This gentle tonic helps strengthen the cactus without stimulating excessive leaf growth.

About the orange/lemon juice…

It’s best to avoid using orange & lemon juice on your Christmas cactus. The acidity and sugars in orange/lemon juice can disrupt the soil’s pH balance, attract pests, and even harm the roots, which could hinder blooming.

Overwatering is one of the biggest killers of Christmas cacti. Unlike desert cacti, Christmas cacti prefer moist conditions but should never be left sitting in water.

The key is to let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. If the soil feels dry an inch down, it’s time to water.

Avoid watering on a schedule and instead pay attention to the soil’s moisture level. Too much water can lead to root rot, a common cause of plant death.

Christmas cacti thrive in more humid conditions than most people realize.

A common mistake is placing the plant in dry, indoor environments, especially during the winter when heating systems lower humidity levels.

To boost humidity, you can mist the plant occasionally or place it on a humidity tray (a shallow tray filled with water and pebbles).

This extra moisture will help mimic the cactus’s native tropical environment.

Improper lighting is another factor that can stunt the growth of your Christmas cactus.

While these plants prefer bright, indirect light, many people make the mistake of placing them in direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.

On the other hand, too little light can result in weak growth and poor blooming. Ideally, place your Christmas cactus near a window with filtered light or in a room with plenty of indirect sunlight.

Christmas cacti need a period of dormancy to trigger their blooming cycle.

This is a phase where the plant slows its growth and conserves energy.

A mistake many people make is not giving the plant enough time to rest. To encourage dormancy, reduce watering and keep the plant in a cooler spot with less light for about six to eight weeks in the fall.

Once this rest period is over, you’ll likely see the development of flower buds.

Another pitfall is planting your Christmas cactus in the wrong type of soil. Christmas cacti require well-draining soil that mimics their natural environment.

Heavy, compact soils can retain too much moisture, leading to root rot. Use a cactus or succulent mix, or create your own by mixing potting soil with sand or perlite to ensure good drainage.

Christmas cacti are sensitive to changes in their environment, especially when they are forming buds. A common mistake is frequently moving the plant from one location to another. This can cause the plant to drop its buds before they bloom.

Stop Killing Your Christmas Cactus! Avoid These Common Pitfalls

Try to keep your cactus in one consistent location with stable lighting and temperature conditions, particularly during its blooming season.

Christmas cacti thrive in temperatures between 60-70°F during the day and prefer cooler nights.

A big mistake is exposing the plant to sudden temperature changes or drafts, which can cause stress.

Keep it away from doors, windows, or heat vents where it might experience fluctuating temperatures. The right temperature balance is key to a happy, blooming cactus.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure your Christmas cactus stays healthy and produces vibrant blooms each holiday season.

With proper care, including attention to watering, lighting, and dormancy, your Christmas cactus will thrive and become a lasting part of your home decor for years to come.

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35 Comments

    1. Hi Shirley!

      The scissors are ONLY for trimming off dead or damaged segments of the Christmas cactus, which can help promote healthy growth. You don’t need to cut a healthy cactus, but occasional trimming of older, damaged parts can help it thrive! 🌵✂️

  1. What do you use to fertilize ivy’s? Also how often? One is light green and one dark green. I have not had good luck with them. Any info on how to keep alive and healthy looking.Thanks

    1. Hi Norene!
      Use a balanced liquid fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (like 10-10-10) for ivy once a month in spring and summer. Keep it in bright, indirect light and let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Your light green ivy might just need a bit more light or nutrients. With these tips, your ivy should start to thrive! 🌿😊

      1. Hi Sharon! Wow, that’s amazing! 🤩🌸 Your Thanksgiving cactus must be loving its environment! Whatever you’re doing, keep it up. Those blooms are a sign of a very happy plant! 😊✨

  2. When is the best time of the year to fertilize your plant? Really enjoyed your knowledge on this plant, very helpful.

    1. Hi Rene!
      Thank you for the kind words! The best time to fertilize your Christmas cactus is during its active growing season, from late spring to early fall. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks to keep it healthy and thriving. So glad you found the article helpful! 🌵🌸

    1. Hi Rose!
      These plants usually bloom when they get enough bright, indirect light and a slight drop in temperature during their resting period. Make sure it’s not overwatered, as they prefer the soil to dry out a bit between waterings. If it hasn’t bloomed in years, try giving it a cool, dry period for a few weeks, and it might surprise you with flowers. With a little adjustment, it should bloom beautifully! 🌿🌸

  3. I have an older Xmas cactus that has 1/2 of it looking very wilted. I’ve brought it indoors for the winter – it gets very cold in NC sometimes.
    I’m thinking it needs to be pulled apart and rerooted? Or just repotted- suggestions?

    1. Hi Betsy!
      It sounds like your Christmas cactus might be stressed from the transition indoors or possibly from root issues. If only half the plant looks wilted, start by checking the roots. If the roots are mushy or rotting, trim away any unhealthy parts. If the roots look fine, repot it into fresh, well-draining cactus or succulent soil.
      For the wilted sections, you can try taking healthy cuttings and rooting them as a backup, just in case the plant struggles further. Place the cuttings in fresh soil and water sparingly. With care, both the main plant and new cuttings should recover and thrive! 🌵🌸

  4. I have an Easter cactus but it has never bloomed. It looks healthy and has grown a lot but never flowers. Any suggestions?

    1. Hi Linda!
      If your Easter cactus is healthy but not blooming, it might need a bit of a nudge. These plants need cooler temperatures (50-55°F) and about 12-14 hours of darkness daily for 6-8 weeks to trigger blooming. Make sure it’s in bright, indirect light during the day and avoid overwatering. With this routine, you should see blooms soon! 🌵🌸

    1. Hi Salome!
      Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the advice. Feel free to keep exploring, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Happy growing! 🌵🌸

  5. This article showed an unpeeled onion and I didn’t read anywhere about onion and Christmas cactus .So are we using it or not?

    1. Hi Katherine! The onion in the article isn’t related to caring for a Christmas cactus. So, no onions needed for your Christmas cactus care. 😄🌸

  6. We moved to another house in May and my plant is up on a shelf that is back in but she still gets the light she has bloomed every year for me but this year she has not bloomed. She went through a period where she was losing her leaves then that stopped and she started growing them instead but she has not bloomed at all what can I do to get her to bloom

    1. Hi Cathy!
      It sounds like your plant is adjusting to the move, which can sometimes delay blooming. To encourage blooms, ensure it gets 12-14 hours of darkness each night and cooler temperatures (50-55°F) for about 6-8 weeks. Keep it in bright, indirect light during the day and water sparingly. The stress from losing leaves might have disrupted its cycle, but with consistent care, it should bloom again soon! 🌵🌸

    1. Hi Diana!
      Your Christmas cactus might not be blooming yet due to a lack of the right conditions to trigger flowers. It needs cooler temperatures (50-55°F) and 12-14 hours of darkness each night for about 6 weeks to set buds. Make sure it’s in bright, indirect light during the day, and water sparingly. With these adjustments, it should start blooming soon! 🌵🌸

    1. Hi Sandi!
      Thank you so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the column and finding it helpful. Christmas cactus are such rewarding plants, you’ll love caring for them! 🌵🌸😊

  7. I just got a Christmas Cactus for Christmas from my daughter, I love it. I have been ready all the comments and replies on your site here. I will check on them all the time for answers. Love this site.

    1. Hi Ronni!
      Thank you so much for your kind words! How wonderful that your daughter gifted you a Christmas cactus, they’re such special plants. I’m so glad you’re finding the site helpful. Feel free to check back anytime for tips and answers. I’m always here to help! 🌵🌸😊

  8. How can you determine the difference between Christmas cactus and a Thanksgiving cactus? For certain my Christmas Cactus has wider leaves, my mom gave me a “Christmas cactus “ but its leaves are much slimmer than the C Cactus I have. The entire plant just looks odd to me?

    1. Hi Patti!
      Great observation! The difference is in the leaf shape. Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera bridgesii) have smooth, rounded edges on their leaf segments, while Thanksgiving cacti (Schlumbergera truncata) have jagged, pointy edges. If the leaves aren’t pointy and have more of a scalloped, rounded appearance, it could actually be an Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri). Sounds like your mom’s plant might be one of these! 🌵🌸

  9. Thank you for all the information about the Christmas cactus however in Cleveland Ohio it is February 9, 2025 maybe send an update for when March and April comes Thank you

    1. Hi Jeanne! Great idea! For more tips as the seasons change, be sure to check out our Facebook page: DIY Garden Growing Hacks, we share daily advice on gardening, plants, and houseplant care. In the meantime, keep your Christmas cactus in bright, indirect light and water a little less until new growth starts! Thanks for your feedback, and happy growing! 🌿😊

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