Houseplants, Christmas guide
Christmas cactus care.
How to get the buds to open and stay on, and the year-round routine that brings the flowers back next winter.
- FlowersLate November to January
- Warmth18 to 20°C in flower
- FeedingApril to September
A Christmas cactus runs on two rests
Unlike a desert cactus, this one comes from forests and likes more water and less sun. Its year has a growing season, a cool rest that sets buds, a flowering spell and a second rest. These months follow the RHS.
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grow and feed | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: yes | May: yes | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: yes | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Regular watering and a liquid houseplant feed, April to the end of September. | ||||||||||||
| Cool rest, buds form | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: yes | October: yes | November: yes | December: no |
| From mid-September: 12 to 15°C and less water, until buds appear. | ||||||||||||
| Flowering | January: yes | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: yes | December: yes |
| Back to 18 to 20°C and regular watering once buds show. | ||||||||||||
| Rest after flowering | January: no | February: yes | March: yes | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Late January to late March: cooler and drier again. | ||||||||||||
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Grow and feed
April to SeptemberRegular watering and a liquid houseplant feed, April to the end of September.
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Cool rest, buds form
September to NovemberFrom mid-September: 12 to 15°C and less water, until buds appear.
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Flowering
January, November to DecemberBack to 18 to 20°C and regular watering once buds show.
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Rest after flowering
February to MarchLate January to late March: cooler and drier again.
A bar shows the months when this usually applies.
What it likes
Pick one to see what to do.
Light: bright but indirect
Bright, filtered light suits it, and an east-facing windowsill is often ideal. Keep it out of strong sun.
- Best spotEast-facing sill
- AvoidStrong direct sun
Warmth: steady, with a cool spell
Keep it above 10°C. While it grows and flowers it likes 18 to 20°C. It needs a distinct cool spell of 12 to 15°C in autumn to form buds.
- Minimum10°C
- In flower18 to 20°C
- To set buds12 to 15°C from mid-September
Water: more than you would think
From April to September keep the compost moist but never waterlogged, and let excess drain away. Water less during the two rests, letting the top few centimetres dry between waterings, but never let it dry out completely. Once buds appear, water regularly again.
- GrowingMoist, never soggy
- RestingTop few cm dry between waterings
- In budRegular again
Humidity: it likes a little
Mist it now and then, or stand the pot on a tray of damp gravel, keeping the compost itself from getting waterlogged.
- HelpsMisting, a gravel tray
Feeding: April to September
The RHS suggests a liquid houseplant feed from April to the end of September to support growth. Follow the label for how much. Outside those months it does not need feeding.
- WhenApril to the end of September
- WhatA liquid houseplant feed
- With TendA splash around the base, watered in
How to get flowers next Christmas
Shorter days and a cool, drier spell are the trigger.
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Mid-September: cool it down
Move it somewhere around 12 to 15°C and water less. Shortening days do the rest.
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Keep evenings dark
Lamps near the plant after dark can stop buds forming, so keep it away from room lights in the evening.
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Buds appear: warm it up
Bring it back to 18 to 20°C and water regularly. Then leave it be: moving it about can make buds drop.
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After flowering: rest
From late January to late March, keep it cooler and drier.
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End of March: repot if needed
Only once roots fill the pot, into a pot just slightly larger, with cactus compost or a peat-free loam-based mix with grit.
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April to September: grow and feed
Water regularly and feed with a liquid houseplant food. It can spend summer outside in a warm, sheltered, shady spot, safe from slugs, and comes in before it gets cold.
When it is not happy
Most problems come from changes in temperature or too much water.
| What you see | What it usually means | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Buds dropping before they open | Temperature swings, cold draughts or overwatering. Cold on the journey home is a common cause. | Keep it somewhere steady at 18 to 20°C, away from doors and radiators, and do not move it once in bud. |
| No flowers at all | Days not shortening, temperatures not dropping below 18°C in autumn, or lights near it after dark. | Give it the cool spell from mid-September and keep evenings dark. |
| Flowers very late | Autumn was too warm. | Find a cooler spot next September. |
| Limp, soft stems at the base | Too much water, often in winter. | Let the top few centimetres dry before watering again, and check the pot drains. |
Tend: Houseplant Food
Tend is our liquid houseplant food, for April to September when your Christmas cactus is growing.
- How to useA splash around the base of the plant, then water it in. That is the direction on the back of the bottle.
- Size250ml bottle with a pump
- Also good to know100% natural, peat-free and made without synthetic chemicals.
Questions people ask
Why are the buds falling off my Christmas cactus?
Usually a change in conditions: hot days and cold nights, a cold draught, too much water, or being moved once in bud. Protect it from cold on the way home, then keep it somewhere steady.
Why won't my Christmas cactus flower?
It needs shorter days and a cool spell in autumn, around 12 to 15°C from mid-September, to form buds. A warm room or a lamp on in the evening can stop it.
Should I feed a Christmas cactus in winter?
No. The RHS suggests a liquid houseplant feed from April to the end of September, while it is growing.
How often should I water it?
Keep it moist from April to September, and when it is in bud and flower. Water less in its two rests, from mid-September until buds show and from late January to late March, letting the top few centimetres dry out.
Does it need repotting?
Not often. It likes a snug pot. Repot every year or two at the end of March, once the roots fill the pot, into one only slightly larger.
Can I grow a new plant from a piece?
Yes. In May, take a cutting of a couple of segments, let the end dry for a day or two, then push it about 1 cm into a mix of compost and sharp sand. Roots take 3 to 12 weeks.
