Q&A for How to Care for a Christmas Cactus

The cactus can live in areas of low light, but it will blossom far more often if it is exposed to more light.

It can bloom multiple times per year. Typically, it will bloom in November or December and again in February. But it can depend on whether the plant is indoors or outdoors as well as the amount of sun, water, and humidity it is exposed too.

If you are growing the cactus indoors or in a cooler environment, you should water every week. If growing outdoors or in a humid and hot environment then water every two to three days. You should also water less in the fall and winter.

You can, but you should use a houseplant fertilizer with a 20-20-20 ratio and it should be applied monthly during the spring and summer.

Generally leaves a Christmas cactus are limp due to excessive sunlight and inadequate water supply.

Let the plant dry up about three-quarters of the way to all the way out in between waterings.

If you're keeping your Christmas cactus outside, it's best to bring it inside if the temperatures are going to dip below about 50°F.

To keep your plant looking nice, deadheading should be done.

It all depends on the soil you are using. Darker potting soil typically absorbs and holds onto water longer. If you're using fast-draining soil like the article says, then you should water from the top and let the water trickle down.

You did everything right. These cacti are epiphytes, which means they grow on trees, so their roots show above the ground as well as below. What you are seeing is a good thing as these are roots looking to grab onto something. It will take some time for the cutting to bloom though (probably 2-3 years).

Your plant may be getting too much light or not enough water. Try adjusting both to see if it helps.

These are called fruits: the plant flowers have fertilized each other...very special when this happens.

Mine wasn't growing so I fertilized it and now it's getting lots of new growth and looks great.

Christmas cacti are easy to prune -- just cut it where a leaf joins the next. Or, you can simply pull pieces off. The leaves you've just cut off can be used for cuttings.

Put the part that has broken off into potting soil. Give it the same conditions and care as the parent plant and it should set roots and thrive.

It's the genetics of the plant.This happens with hybrids and genetics in many plants. You get an unstable color hybrid, so it's reverting from deep pink to white.

Don't trim them! The pink balls you see forming on the ends of the leaves are buds. These will bloom into beautiful flowers (generally around Christmas and Easter time).

The plants may be too wet and too cool cool which leads to rot and fungus. If your plants are kept cooler you have to decrease the humidity and water them less. Check the plants for mold and rot symptoms.

If you are getting mushrooms, I'd say your soil is staying too wet. Mushrooms like dark and moist areas to grow in.

It sounds like your cactus is root-bound, meaning it's reached the limits of its pot. Christmas cacti tend to do best when slightly root-bound, but this is a bit extreme. Repot in a larger container as described in this article.

It does this when it is getting ready to make a blossom.

Christmas cacti are picky about temperature. If one side of the plant is near a heater or oven, it might be too warm to bud.

It can take one to two year. Depending on conditions, most will take two years.

Yes, under ideal conditions my plants often bloom 2 to 3 times a year, usually about 6 months apart.

Yes, you can divide the Christmas cactus in spring. This is risky, so you may want to plant a few cuttings first so you have a backup plan if the main plant dies.

If it's already breaking off, don't bother cutting it, but just remove it from the parent plant with your fingers. Also, put the removed piece directly in potting soil and give it the same treatment as the parent plant. Christmas cactus isn't like an avocado seed that needs constant water to grow. Too much water could actually kill the cutting.

Yes, or you can probably just use your fingers to pinch off the faded blooms to keep your plant looking nice.

If they are thin and translucent, then you are might be over-watering it. Just try to minimize the amount of water you are giving it and see if the issue improves.

No, but it can live near a full-spectrum florescent light.

Apply insecticidal soap periodically and keep the plants clear of webs and dust. You may want to quarantine your Christmas cactus so the mites don't spread to other plants.