The problem most people face when they plant a Christmas cactus is that it often doesn’t flower the way they expected.
Though some may find ways to blame the plant, it ultimately comes down to a few important factors, that are in your control, which determine whether or not the plant will bloom optimally.
Before you begin, I wrote a new article this month about what you should do month by month to have your Christmas Cactus full of blooms in December! You can read the article here if you want something simpler and more direct.
So, How Do You Get Your Christmas Cactus To Begin Flowering?
Well, the process of encouraging a Christmas cactus to flower is both simple and complex.
For starters, a Christmas cactus is not your average plant with typical requirements. Thus, only considering factors like adequate sunlight exposure and hydration won’t be enough.
Here are some things to consider if your Christmas cactus isn’t flowering:
1 – Reduce Sun Exposure
Yes, you read that absolutely right! Reducing sunlight exposure might be a good idea if your Christmas cactus has trouble blooming properly. It’s not a plant that needs heavy sunlight. Indirect sunlight exposure of 10-12 hours daily is plenty.
DO NOT ever put your Christmas cactus outside in direct sunlight; otherwise, its leaves will be done for!
2 – Keep The Plant In Cooler Temperatures
Slightly cooler temperatures will be optimal for maximizing the likelihood of your Christmas cactus blooming. And, no, this doesn’t mean you place the plant in your fridge!
Places and corners in the house that don’t heat up as much are perfect.
If your bedroom doesn’t receive much sunlight and is usually somewhat chilly, place the plant in one corner and let it adjust to those conditions.
3 – Cut Out Artificial Light
Since the Christmas cactus is a short-day plant, it must receive plenty of indirect natural light in the daytime and complete darkness at night.
Though this cycle may sound strange, it is actually ideal for flowering and promoting efficient bud formation.
4 – Pruning
Pruning too often keeps your Christmas cactus in a vulnerable state and hinders recovery.
Therefore, it is advised that you only prune when your plant looks majorly out of shape. Occasionally cleaning up dead stems and maintaining a basic plant aesthetic is usually more than enough.
5 – Watering Situation?
Can too little or too much water keep your Christmas cactus from flowering as optimally? Absolutely!
As I mentioned before, a Christmas cactus isn’t that needy of a plant.
Only water enough to keep the surface of the soil moist and drain any excess from the pot immediately.
6 – Use Specialized Fertilizers (And Don’t Rely on “Hacks”)
You might see advice online about using baking soda or Epsom salt to make Christmas cactus bloom. While these can sometimes support plant health (Epsom salt provides magnesium, baking soda may slightly alter pH), they are not proven bloom boosters.
Instead, a balanced fertilizer with extra phosphorus is far more reliable for flower formation. If you want to experiment with Epsom salt, keep it light, just an occasional pinch dissolved in water. But don’t expect miracles.
A fertilizer composed of quality nutrients as well as additional phosphorus can come in handy when trying to get a houseplant to bloom.
7 – Beware Of Humidity Levels!
The Christmas cactus loves humidity! When trying to get the plant to bloom, it may be a good idea to spray it with some water and cover it with a plastic bag.
This way, moisture will be retained and your Christmas cactus will thrive in the environment that’s most favorable for its flowering.
Let’s finish…
Planting a Christmas cactus with all your heart and not seeing it bloom can be…well…heartbreaking to say the least. But, it doesn’t have to stay that way for long.
By implementing the seven tips we discussed in this article, you’ll definitely encourage flowering in your plant to a considerable degree.
Leave the rest to time and God’s will.
When is it the right time to bag Christmas cactus to help humidity? How long is plant bagged for?
Hi!
The best time to bag a Christmas cactus to help with humidity is when you notice the environment is too dry, especially during winter when indoor heating can lower humidity levels. You can bag it when the soil is slightly dry, but make sure the plant is healthy and not too wet, as excessive moisture can lead to rot.
Typically, you can bag the plant for a few days to up to a week. Just make sure to check on it regularly, and once the air feels more humid or the plant perks up, you can remove the bag. Be sure to keep the bag loosely covered to allow some air circulation. This little boost in humidity can help your Christmas cactus thrive! 🌵💧
I put mine in the closet for 30 to 40 days, then put in daylight.
Hi Pat! 😊 That’s a great method, that dark rest period really helps trigger buds. I do something similar every fall, and it never fails to get blooms!
I am happy to say my cactus is 3. This month. Last year it had 3 blooms. This year I fed it Miracle Grow in July and Sept. Due to renovation in my house, since the first of the month, it has been in direct sunlight. It also has 23 buds and is starting to bloom. I have been spritzing it every mid morning for 2 weeks not knowing it needed humidity. When is the best time to transfer/repot it into a bigger pot?
Hi Marilyn! 😊 That’s fantastic, sounds like it’s thriving! I’d wait until it’s completely done blooming before repotting, usually in late winter or early spring. That gives it time to rest and adjust without losing any buds.
I have mine in the bathroom no light only when someone’s in there showering, loves the humidity and darkness
Hi! 😊 It might enjoy the humidity, but it still need bright, indirect light to stay healthy and bloom. Maybe move it near a bright window and it’ll do even better!
I would like an answer to that question I’ve sprayed my cactus in the summer and it’s finally growing
Hi! 😊 That’s great to hear it’s growing again! Spraying during summer is perfect, it keeps humidity up when the air’s dry. Bagging is more for winter if your home gets very dry from heating, so you’re doing just fine with misting right now.
Mine had little dry brown patches on the leaves and I am not sure what I did wrong.
Hi Monica! 😊 Dry brown patches are usually from inconsistent watering, either it dried out too much between waterings or it’s getting too much direct sun. Make sure you’re keeping the soil lightly moist (not soggy) and check that it’s not sitting in harsh direct light. Should bounce back once you find the right balance!
I have recently repotted a 15 year old Thanksgiving cactus. Should care for this plant be the same or different than your normal recommendations. Should I expect it to bloom this year or will it likely take time to recover & not bloom.
Hi Lana! 😊 After repotting, give it a little recovery time, keep watering light and light bright but indirect. It might skip blooming this year while it settles, but it should bounce back beautifully next season.
1/2 of my Christmas cactus turned very limp and the fell off. The other 1/2 is still standing upright. What did I do and what do I do to stop it from happening again?
Hi Dianna!
It sounds like your Christmas cactus may have experienced stress, possibly from overwatering or a sudden temperature change. Check the roots—if they’re mushy, it could be root rot. Trim any damaged roots and repot in fresh, well-draining soil. Water when the top inch feels dry, and keep it in a stable environment with indirect light. This should help the healthy part thrive! 🌵
I have an old Christmas Cactus that my Mother in law gave me when we first got married over 60 years ago. It is big but only 2 stems are left and it hasn’t blossomed for several years, it needs help.
Hi Frances!
How special to have a 60-year-old Christmas Cactus! Try repotting it in fresh fresh cactus or orchid mix to give the roots a boost. Give it bright, indirect light, and let the soil dry between waterings. For blooms, give it cooler temperatures (around 50-55°F) with 12-14 hours of darkness each night for 6 weeks in fall. It may bloom again with a little care! 🌵🌸
I guess my Christmas Cactus will never bloom. We don’t have anywhere in our house where it’s that cold. We can’t live in a house like that, even though it would be nice for the heating bill. We live in northern Ohio, the garage is way too cold.
Hi Jim! 😊 You can still get it to bloom! Just give it about 12–14 hours of darkness each night for a few weeks, even in a warm house that helps trigger buds. A cool room or closet works great for that.
Have you thought about taking a clad(leaf) and let it root in water or you can also put in dirt to root and you will have another plant from MIL❤️
Hi Terrie! 😊 That’s actually a great idea. Propagating a few segments is perfect if she wants to keep her mother-in-law’s plant going strong. I’ve done that with cuttings from family plants, nice way to refresh them while keeping the legacy alive!
Maybe too much water?
I loved this info. I’m trying to get my two to bloom. Southern Calif. I now have them in a dark bedroom with one window and no sun exposure!
Hi Linda!
I’m so glad you found the info helpful! Keeping your Christmas cactus in a dark room with minimal light is a great start. Just be sure they get a cool temperature (around 50-55°F) and limited water for about 6 weeks. That should help trigger blooming! 🌵🌸
I have a Christmas cactus,and want to get it to bloom. I.have no sun light so I bought a light on a stick that lights up,It is used for plants how long should I leave the light on each day??? I really want to get it tobloom. Read about putting g a bag over it_ ,so I just did that, how long do I leave the bag on??
Hi Carol!
To get your Christmas cactus to bloom using a grow light, leave the light on for about 8-10 hours a day. The plant also needs a period of complete darkness for 12-14 hours each night, which mimics its natural blooming cycle. You can remove the bag during the light period and put it back on at night if you’re using it to ensure darkness. Keep this routine for 6-8 weeks, and you should start seeing buds forming. Best of luck—it sounds like you’re giving it great care! 🌵🌸
My Christmas cactus are getting buds. It’s mid October, what can I do to make them bloom later?
Hi Diane!
To delay your Christmas cactus blooms, you can try reducing the amount of light they receive. Move them to a darker area or cover them for 12-14 hours a day for a couple of weeks. Keep them in cooler temperatures, around 50-55°F, and reduce watering slightly. This will help slow down the blooming process, so they flower closer to the holiday season! 🌵🎄
It is probably a Thanksgiving cactus, not a Christmas cactus. The leaves are different.
Hi Carol!
You might be right, thanks for pointing that out! Diane, you could also have a Thanksgiving cactus, not a Christmas cactus. The leaves are a bit different—Thanksgiving cactus have pointed, claw-like edges, while Christmas cactus have smoother, rounded edges. They also bloom earlier, which could explain the October flowers. 😊
Yes I have a Thanksgiving cactus. It has double blooms.
This is great information. I am trying to keep mine alive. Half died from root rot. It is about thirty years old. How do I start a new plant from it? Also, do you have any tips for growing a money tree plant? I have killed two. Working on the third one. Maybe too hot in Florida. Same with my Christmas cactus.
Hi!
First of all, taking care of a Christmas cactus for 30 years is amazing! 😊 To start a new plant from it, you can take a healthy cutting, about 2-3 segments long, and let it dry for a day or two. Then, you can either place it in water to root (just make sure the water stays fresh) or plant it directly in well-draining cactus soil. Both methods work, but if root rot has been an issue, you might prefer starting it in soil to avoid overwatering.
As for your money tree, they can be finicky in hot climates like Florida. Keep it in bright, indirect light, avoid direct sun, and ensure the soil stays moist but not soggy.It might help to increase humidity around the plant or move it to a cooler spot. It sounds like you’re on the right track, so don’t give up! 🌵🌱
I just wanted you to know I have my great great great grandmothers Christmas cactus so its got to be over 100 years old and it blooms at Christmas and at Easter pretty cool huh!
Hi Darla! Wow, that’s absolutely amazing!!!! 😲 A Christmas cactus that’s over 100 years old, passed down through so many generations—that’s a true treasure! And the fact that it blooms at both Christmas and Easter makes it even more special. What an incredible piece of family history to have in your home! 🌵🌸
wow!!!!! thats history!!!
Hi Julie!
Buds falling off before blooming is usually a sign of stress, often due to changes in light, temperature, or watering. Try keeping the cactus in a stable environment with consistent care—bright, indirect light, and avoid overwatering. Also, make sure it’s not exposed to drafts or sudden temperature shifts. A little extra care should help those buds hold on and bloom! 🌵🌸
When you say place in a bag, is it a paper or plastic bag?
Hi Terri! You can use either a paper or plastic bag. If using plastic, make sure it’s not sealed too tightly to allow some airflow and prevent moisture buildup. Both work to help your Christmas cactus bloom! 🌵🌸
I have 2 Christmas cactus about 40 yrs old and they bloom every year and have 2 piece lollies that are 27 yrs old that are great .
Hi Loretta! 😊 Wow, 40 years is amazing! My mom still has one from my grandma that’s decades old too, and it just keeps blooming. They really do reward you if you treat them right year after year!
I would like to know how you repot a fairly large Christmas cactus without breaking the leaves
Hi Darlene! 😊 For a large Christmas cactus, I’d wait until after it finishes blooming, then carefully tip the pot on its side and gently work it out. The leaves are more flexible than they look, but go slow. You can also prune it back a bit before repotting to make it easier to handle, just take a few stem sections off and you can propagate those too!
I placed my outdoors cactus in a portable greenhouse during a day of heavy rains. The next day it was droopy and had turned brown. What did I do wrong?
Hi Linda! 😊 Sounds like it got too humid inside the greenhouse, cactus don’t like trapped moisture. Let the soil dry completely and move it back to a bright, airy spot.
I have the hardest time deciding when to water and fertilize my Thanksgiving cactus.
Hi cma1166! 😊 I totally get that, they can be fussy! I only water mine when the top inch of soil feels dry, and I feed it lightly after flowering ends, not while it’s blooming.
Love your information. I have a cactus that has stems about 2 feet long. Is that too long and should I cut it back? It does bloom every year but only on the window side. East facing. I would love to repot it but it is too long. How long should I let the stems be?
Hi! 😊 Sounds like it’s doing really well! You can trim those stems back a bit after it finishes blooming, that helps it branch out and bloom more evenly. I usually keep mine around 12 to 18 inches so it’s easier to manage and repot.
My Christmas cactus is covered with buds…but it’s outside on the porch and I have to bring it in. It has suddenly turned quite cold at night. I live in Massachusetts. What can I do to keep it from dropping the buds??
Hi Lynne! 😊 Bring it in before the nights drop too low, the sudden chill can shock it and make it drop buds. Try to move it somewhere bright and cool indoors, and keep the light and watering steady so it adjusts slowly.
I have what I think is a Thanksgiving cactus because the leaves spikes. It has always had plenty of blooms from mid November until mid January. This year the plant looks different…almost like it is 3 plants It has never been repotted simply because everything I have ever repotted has died a slow death afterwards. I welcome any advice or suggestions you may have.
Hi! 😊 It does sound like a Thanksgiving cactus! If it’s never been repotted, it might just be a bit crowded, I’d move it to a pot only one size bigger in fresh soil after it finishes blooming. Don’t worry, they usually bounce back quickly with gentle handling.
I kill all my plants but my christmas cactus is blooming so beautiful after just looking at it for a year. I just watered it, root bound in a little pot and its grown so good n beautiful.
Hi Marcie! 😊 That’s awesome! They really do love being a little root-bound, sounds like you’ve found the perfect balance for it. Keep doing exactly what you’re doing! 🫶
Good practical advice!
Hi Don 😊 I’m glad you liked it!