Wondering how to get Christmas cactus to bloom? The plant tends to flower during the cool season, when nights get cooler and longer. Most homes hide this signal, hence the delay in flowering. You don’t have to wait until winter kicks in, so earlier is better. Even if you’re in September or October, you’re still on schedule.
This guide will teach you how to get Christmas cactus to bloom effectively and on time. It’ll also teach you how to stimulate the flowering process, and what to do if the buds drop or nothing shows up before the cold season.
How do you get a Christmas cactus to bloom?
- Give it between 12 and 14 hours of darkness night by night for six weeks.
- Keep it cool at night, between 55 and 65 degrees F.
- Water it less than normal until buds show.
- Once buds show, water normally and don’t move it from its location.
- Start about two months before you want the flowers.
When do Christmas cactus bloom?
The Christmas cactus bloom time is around December, yet many similar plants are given as gifts for Thanksgiving, so they end up blooming around the end of November.
If the leaf edges are pointed and toothed, you have a Thanksgiving cactus. On the other hand, round and smooth edges indicate the Christmas cactus. Just because a plant is advertised to be a Christmas cactus, it doesn’t mean that it is, so always check the leaves.
In terms of blooming and scheduling, both plants feature similar particularities, yet the start date is different.
How to make Christmas cactus bloom
Long and cool nights are the main idea when you’re not sure how to make a Christmas cactus bloom. Temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees F are ideal. Higher temperatures may cause buds to show.
Just because some guides recommend hiding the plant in a closet for 16 hours a day, it doesn’t mean that you have to do it. It needs a dark night, indeed, but it also requires bright light during the day. You’re on the right path if the location stays dark during the night.
| Your home | Things to do |
|---|---|
| Cool dark room at night | Leave it there, but don’t turn the light on after dark. |
| Warm home with light on at night | Cover it for 12 to 14 hours a night, even with a box. |
| Unsure | Keep it in a cool room and cover it at night. |
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
You should start the process about six to eight weeks before you need the flowers. Start in late September for a Thanksgiving cactus, and it will bloom in November. Wait until October for a Christmas cactus, and it will bloom in December.
It requires 12 to 14 hours of darkness a night. You can cover it at 6 PM, but also uncover it at 8 AM. Bright and indirect sunlight is desired throughout the day. Indoor lights can break the night and affect the flowers, such as TVs, lamps or even streetlights.
Follow these steps, and you should see the first Christmas cactus flower buds show up after a few weeks. When you’re not sure how to force a Christmas cactus to bloom, simply start counting six to eight weeks before the desired time.
What do Christmas cactus buds look like?
Buds look like small bumps and are located at the tips of the stems. They swell slowly. Once they’re there, you can stop the dark treatment. Leave the plant where it is. You can move it once you see the first few flowers.
Just because you’re late doesn’t mean that you can ditch the idea. You’ll simply have the flowers later, such as in January.
How to get Christmas cactus to bloom indoors: Water, light and food
If you’re not sure how to make a Christmas cactus bloom indoors, start by watering it less once the dark treatment starts. Give it light during the day, but stop feeding after nightfall.
In terms of watering, start in early fall. Let the top inch dry between two watering sessions, but don’t let it dry completely. When buds appear, go back to the regular watering schedule. Avoid leaving the soil constantly wet, as excess moisture can also encourage fungus gnats. If you notice small flying insects around your pots, see our guide on how to get rid of flying bugs on indoor plants for practical tips.
You’ll have to pay attention to the light as well. Bright, indirect sunlight is desired for six to eight hours daily. If you have a window facing east, that’s where the cactus should be. You can use a grow light too. If your home has darker corners where sunlight is limited, our guide to the best indoor plants for low light can help you find plants that are better suited to those conditions.
Learning how to get a Christmas cactus to bloom also involves paying attention to the food or pot. Feed every few weeks during the summer. Once fall comes, stop doing it. As for the pot, a snug pot is usually alright. You can get a bigger one when roots expand and reach the edges.
Christmas cactus not blooming? Check these causes
Why isn’t my Christmas cactus blooming? The primary causes include warm nights and extra light at night. Even a TV light or a streetlight can cause problems.
| Causes of Christmas cactus not blooming | Fix |
|---|---|
| Light in the vicinity of the plant | Move or cover it. |
| Warm nights, usually over 70 degrees F | Move it to the coolest room in September. |
| Young plant with few stems | Older plants have more flowers. You can trim tip segments for extra branches during the spring. |
| Watering issues. | Too wet or too dry will cause problems. |
| Big pot. | Use a snug pot that’s just the right size or remove excessive soil. |
| Too much light. | Even in the summer, the cactus should get six to eight hours of bright, indirect light. |
| Moved during the bud formation process. | Usually an unexpected and sudden change. |
If you still can’t get anything after a couple of seasons, remove the plant from its pot and pay attention to the roots. It may need replanting, especially if the roots are cramped or mushy.
Christmas cactus buds falling off? Here’s what causes it
Why is my Christmas cactus dropping buds? The issue is usually caused by a sudden change, whether in watering, humidity, temperature, light or location.
Turning or moving the pot after buds have formed is a bad idea. A heater vent or a cold draft could also be an issue. Overwatering is a bad idea too.
If you’ve just bought the plant, maybe it’s been through a cold shop. The move itself could be a problem too. If you’re just about to buy a plant, get one that already has a series of buds, then protect it until you get home. Otherwise, you might end up with Christmas cactus buds not opening.
To avoid any problems, choose the spot upfront, away from drafts and vents. Water on a tight schedule and even use a pebble tray or humidifier if the air in your home is too dry.
Caring for a blooming Christmas cactus
Make sure the soil doesn’t dry out once you see Christmas cactus flowers, as the plant will require more water then. Don’t overdo it, but just water when the top inch is dry. Keep the temperature steady, below 70 degrees F. Also, stick to bright, indirect light.
Flowering will last for a few weeks. Once they fade away, give the plant a dry and cool place until late March. If you’d like to add more easy-care greenery to your home, take a look at our guide to hard-to-kill plants for more beginner-friendly options.
FAQs
The Christmas cactus blooms once a year, usually between November and January. You may sometimes see the Christmas cactus blooming in March too, which isn’t unusual at all.
When will my Christmas cactus bloom if I start now?
Start with the first dark night and count six to eight weeks. Buds will show up within a few weeks only.
Do coffee grounds, sugar water or ice cubes make a Christmas cactus bloom?
No. Focus on the temperature and light, as well as balanced houseplant food during the warm season.
Should I water a Christmas cactus while it’s blooming?
Once the plant starts blooming, it’ll require more water than normally. As a safe general rule, water when you notice the top inch of soil gets dry.
Why is my Christmas cactus not blooming when I did everything right?
Consider any form of light at night, even a streetlight. Make sure the temperature doesn’t go over 70 degrees F. Also, if the pot is too large for the plant, you may have to move it to a different pot. Keep in mind that older plants give more buds than young plants, so this could be a reason too.
Can I put my Christmas cactus outside for the summer?
Absolutely, but somewhere in a shaded area that gets indirect light. Don’t wait until the temperature goes below 55 degrees F to bring it in. Also, pay more attention to the watering, as the soil drains quicker outdoors.
Ending
Not sure how to get Christmas cactus to bloom? Start today! Write the date down and set the perfect conditions for your plant to thrive. Give the buds up to five weeks, yet they’ll probably show up quicker. Take notes of what you’re doing this year and consider adjusting for next year too.