How To Care For Your Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cacti have a long and loving tradition in my family that is recorded back to my grandparents through pictures. As I look back on my childhood photographs, I encounter numerous images of myself in front of my parents' magnificent and merry Christmas Cactus. This cactus unfailingly bloomed at Christmas and Easter and still does! It wasn't until both of my parents passed away in the late 1990s that I began my inquiry of the Christmas Cactus magic.

My oldest sister took the remarkable cactus that was 50 years old! That first Christmas without my parents, their beloved cactus flowered even more spectacularly than usual. The spirit from all those years of love and care that my parents had given to each other and our family came through this plant. It was then that I realized I needed a slip of this cactus to extend the family Christmas Cactus tradition in my own home.

As I started my journey into world of the Christmas Cactus, I discovered how relatively easy it is to start a plant from a slip and grow it into a prosperous thing of beauty. The ideal time to take a slip is after the cactus has finished blooming. A mature plant usually needs a good pruning after each blooming to keep the blossoms all over the plant as the flowers form at the end of each stem. These pruned stems are perfect for starting new plants that can be ready as flowering gifts by next Christmas! Once you have your slips, they can simply be rooted in damp sand. This also makes them easy to mail or transport. Allow your chips to dry out a couple of days after pruning, before putting in the damp sand. You are ready to plant the slips as soon as a good root system is established. Plant several slips in a pot with a good-draining potting soil. I use the potting soil made especially for cacti. Place your baby plants in a spot that gets bright, filtered light. Keep your fledgling plants evenly moist when watering, and wait until the soil is dry in between watering.

As there are many varieties of Christmas Cacti, you will learn that some are easier to flower every year than others. Since I got the slip from my parents' cactus, it has developed into a mighty thriving plant. I have also acquired a selection of cacti varying in stem structure, flower dimensions, and color. Some of my cacti flower easily every year from their designated spot in our home, while others prefer the short-day treatment. This process ensures that you will have a blossoming plant during the Christmas season. Between mid-September and mid-October, put your plant into a cool room that you don't use in the evening, or even a closet, so the plant is in darkness at least 12 hours a day. Quit watering at this point and don't water for 3-4 weeks until the flower buds develop or the plant begins to go limp. Once the buds have formed, put the plant back in its showcase spot for a beautiful, natural Christmas decoration and resume normal watering. Since I have many Christmas Cacti and other plants, I find that putting them in natural jute macrame hangers are a superb way to display them, saving space and adding to my decor.

Yes, Christmas Cacti are fun, make great gifts, and can give many years of enjoyment to your family.

Macramenia Customer Feedback:
Thank you for sending my plant hanger so quickly. It's beautiful and exactly what I was looking for. I will probably order another soon!

- Rosanna