The Christmas cactus is a popular indoor plant valued for its bright, long-lasting flowers in winter. With the right care, it can bloom year after year and live for decades.

1. Plant Overview

• Botanical name: Schlumbergera spp.
• Common names: Christmas cactus, Holiday cactus, Thanksgiving cactus (closely related)
• Origin: Brazilian coastal forests
• Plant type: Tropical epiphytic succulent
• Growth habit: Flattened, segmented stems; trailing or arching branches
• Flowering: Winter (November–January in the UK)

2. Light Requirements

• Ideal: Bright, indirect light
• Avoid: Direct sun, especially through windows, which can scorch stems
• Tip: East- or north-facing windows work well; in bright south-facing rooms, filter sunlight with a sheer curtain

3. Temperature & Humidity

• Day temperature: 18–24 °C
• Night temperature: 12–15 °C (cooler nights help flower buds set)
• Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity; mist occasionally or place near a humidifier

4. Watering

• Growing season (spring–summer): Keep the soil lightly moist; water when the top 2 cm of soil feels dry
• Autumn–flowering period: Reduce watering slightly to encourage bud formation
• Winter (post-flowering): Water sparingly, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings

Tip: Avoid waterlogging—Christmas cactus roots are prone to rot. Use a pot with drainage holes.

5. Soil & Potting

• Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic mix
  • Use cactus/succulent compost or mix: 2 parts potting soil, 1 part perlite, 1 part orchid bark
• Potting: Repot every 2–3 years in spring after flowering; choose a pot slightly larger than the root system

6. Feeding

• Growing season (spring–summer): Feed every 2–4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser (e.g., 10:10:10 NPK)
• Autumn (bud formation): Switch to a high-phosphorus fertiliser to encourage flowers
• Winter: Fertiliser is usually not needed

7. Flowering & Bud Formation

• Trigger: Flowering is triggered by shorter daylight hours and cooler nights
• Care tips for bloom:
  • Keep in a cool (12–15 °C) room for 6–8 weeks before flowering
  • Avoid moving the plant or changing light conditions once buds appear, or buds may drop
  • Maintain moderate watering; do not let the soil dry out completely

8. Pruning & Maintenance

• After flowering: Lightly prune segments to encourage bushier growth
• Pinching tips: Pinch off 1–2 stem segments at branch tips in spring to encourage branching
• Cleaning: Remove dead or shriveled segments

9. Pests & Problems

• Common pests: Mealybugs, spider mites, aphids
• Signs of overwatering: Yellowing segments, mushy stems, root rot
• Solution: Remove affected parts, improve drainage, reduce watering

10. Propagation

• Method: Stem cuttings
• Steps:
  1. Cut 2–3 segments
  2. Let the cut end dry for 24 hours
  3. Plant in moist, well-draining soil
  4. Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form (2–3 weeks)

✅ Quick Tips

• Keep cool nights in autumn to set buds
• Avoid moving the plant when buds appear
• Provide bright, indirect light year-round
• Repot every 2–3 years in spring
• Water moderately, never waterlogged