How to get a Christmas Cactus to Bloom

Christmas cacti are known for beautiful flowers that bloom during the holiday season. However, getting your Christmas cactus to bloom at the right time can be a bit tricky. Learn what to do to see blooms during the holiday season.

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How to get a Christmas Cactus to bloom

• Provide the right conditions. Christmas cacti need bright, indirect light and cool temperatures to bloom. They should be kept in a location where the temperature stays between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
• Reduce watering in the fall. As fall approaches, you should start to reduce the amount of water you give your Christmas cactus. This will help to induce the plant to go into dormancy, which is necessary for flowering.
• Provide Darkness. In the weeks leading up to the holidays, you should provide your Christmas cactus with 12-14 hours of darkness each day. This can be done by moving the plant to a dark closet or room for a few hours each night.
• Fertilize. Once your Christmas cactus has finished blooming, you can start to fertilize it again. Use a balanced fertilizer, such as 20-20-20, and fertilize every 6-8 weeks during the spring and summer months.
• Epsom Salts. Epsom Salt has been known to be a great fertilizer for plants. Use one tablespoon per gallon of water. You can water or spray your plants with the mixture. Make sure to stop fertilizing mid fall to allow the plant to go dormant.

Extra tips to help your Christmas cactus bloom:

• Repot your Christmas cactus every 2-3 years. This will help to ensure that the plant has fresh soil and room to grow.
• Prune your Christmas cactus after it blooms. This will help to remove dead or damaged leaves and encourage new growth. Unless you have dead, damaged or diseased foliage you do not need to prune unless you want to prune for size.
• Avoid pests and diseases. Christmas cacti are susceptible to mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. If you see any pests on your plant, you can treat them with an insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Read our Full Christmas Cactus Growing Guide Here! To Learn how to care for your plant year round!

Try these tips to get your christmas cactus plant to bloom for years to come! You can have beautiful blooms for the holidays!

Happy Gardening