• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Home Garden Joy
  • Home
  • How to Garden
    • Seed Starting
    • Plant Profiles
    • Tools & Equipment
    • Raised Bed Gardening
  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Herbs
  • About
    • Books & Classes
      • Herbalism Classes
      • Books for Christian Herbalists
      • Privacy Policy

Christmas Cactus Care

December 6, 2016 by Jeanne

Christmas cacIt’s that time of year again when the Christmas cactus are blooming like crazy here at Seven Oaks. If you’ve had trouble getting your Christmas cactus to bloom, a few simple tips:

  • Make sure they get 12 hours of complete darkness each night. Bring them into bright light during the day. The darkness cures them to set bud.
  • Keep temperatures at night cool. The upper 50s into the lower 60s are ideal. Temperature is another cue for the plants to bl0ssom.
  • Water so that the plants are kept evenly moist. Don’t let them dry out in between watering. Drying out in between watering makes the buds fall off.

If all else fails, try moving your plant to a new location. A little water-soluble fertilizer may help, too.

For local friends, my latest article in Farmville: the Magazine (about our town of Farmville, not the game!) includes more info on the plants.

If you enjoyed this article you may also like:

  • How to Get Your Christmas Cactus to Bloom
  • Christmas Cactus

Happy gardening! Keep growing!

christmas-cactus

Filed Under: House Plants

Previous Post: « Raised Bed Vegetable Garden Must-Do Fall Garden Tasks
Next Post: Easy Way to Make a Clove Orange Pomander Ball »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David Fowlkes

    December 6, 2016 at

    Hi Jeanne. I enjoyed your article about Christmas Cactus in the Farmville magazine. You did a good job of bringing attention to this group of plants. I’ll bet at least a few readers have gone out and purchased one or now have a new appreciation of an existing one.
    My care regime is extra simple. As soon as all danger of frost is past in the spring I set mine(a white Thanksgiving Cactus) outside, usually on the ground, under a group of trees. There it gets fairly heavy shade, no direct sun at all, and I don’t water it. It gets only what water falls from the sky. As temperatures drop in the fall the cactus slowly begins to set buds. I leave it out usually until early November. Even a few light frosts are no bother with the pot being under trees. When I bring it in it is already covered in buds and begins to bloom in a matter of days. I think summering them outdoors is one key to success. They also don’t need much soil. Can stay in the same pot for years.
    Again, I enjoyed your article in the magazine and your blog.
    -David Fowlkes
    Horticulturist
    Town of Farmville

    • Jeanne

      December 6, 2016 at

      David, it was very kind of you to share your tips and to leave a note on my blog. Thank you and have a happy holiday!

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

As Seen in Porch

 As Seen in Porch

We were featured in Porch.com and answered reader's questions about indoor plants.

Explore All Gardening Articles

Latest Articles

  • How to Grow Cucumbers: A Complete Guide
  • Growing Eggplant: A Guide for Gardeners
  • Volunteer Plants – Nature’s Unexpected Gifts

Herbalism Classes & Supplies

Goods Shop by Herbal Academy – botanically inspired products

Disclosure

Home Garden Joy participates in two affiliate programs: Amazon and The Herbal Academy. Home Garden Joy earns a commission from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. As an Herbal Academy Associate, HGJ also earns a commission when you sign up for classes or purchase herbs or supplies from The Herbal Academy. Herbal information and recipes on this site are provided for educational purposes only.

Footer

cherry tomatoes in various stages of ripeness

Volunteer Plants – Nature’s Unexpected Gifts

Volunteer plants are one of nature’s most delightful surprises. They spring up unbidden, often in places we didn’t expect—cracks in sidewalks, corners of compost piles, or nestled beside a stone foundation, like the vibrant coleus seedlings growing near my deck shown in these pictures. These botanical freeloaders aren’t weeds; they’re plants that have reseeded themselves…

Read More

a tea pot, cup and saucer with mint leaves on the saucer

Free eBook on Herbal Safety

The Herbal Academy is offering a free ebook on herbal safety! I just sent an email out to our Home Garden Joy community and downloaded my copy and WOW – not only is it chock-full of information, it’s beautiful to look at, too. And free. Did I mention free? Learn More About Using Herbs –…

Read More

a closeup of watermelon

Watermelon in the Home Garden

Growing watermelon in the home garden is not for the faint of heart. I have plenty of room, and it still threatened to take over the garden. You will either need to leave a lot of room for the sprawling vines or look for varieties specifically marked for containers. Growing it on a trellis is…

Read More

a zucchini growing in a raised bed

Growing Zucchini in Raised Beds

Growing zucchini in raised beds ensures that this prolific vegetable has the best conditions to thrive. You can grow zucchini in pots or containers, but I prefer growing it in raised beds. This is a great vegetable to grow if you have a “black thumb” and kill plastic plants, because it’s hard to grow a…

Read More

  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Awards

Copyright © 2025 Home Garden Joy on the Foodie Pro Theme