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.
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
When talking about plants like the Christmas cactus, it’s important to keep in mind that they often need specialized fertilizers.
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! 🌵💧
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 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. 😊
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! 🌵🌸
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! 🌵🌸