Got a holiday cactus? Here’s how to take care of it

Dec 20, 2024, 7:00 AM

(Maria Shilaos/KSL NewsRadio)

Producer

SALT LAKE CITY — Like the poinsettia, the holiday cactus is a popular houseplant during the holiday season. Here is everything you need to know to keep yours happy and in good condition.

There are three different types of holiday cacti: the Thanksgiving cactus, the Christmas cactus, and the Easter cactus.

While the Thanksgiving cactus and the Christmas cactus look very similar and bloom at a similar time, they are not interchangeable. The difference is that the leaves are a slightly different shape.

According to KSL Greenhouse Host Taun Beddes, most of what’s available these days are hybrids between the two. Some hybrids may even have the genetics of an Easter cactus.

How to get your holiday cactus to bloom again

The easiest method is putting the plant a few inches away from a big drafty window and letting them sit there, said Beddes.

“Starting late October into November, it gets cold enough that those leaves need to be exposed to temperatures around 55 degrees [Fahrenheit].”

In about six to eight weeks, flower buds will start to form as a result of the cooler temperatures. When that time comes, carefully rotate the plant 180 degrees.

“Even though it says they’ll bloom for six weeks, oftentimes—especially the modern hybrids—[they] will bloom the entire winter.”

Another method is letting it sit in at least 12 hours of complete darkness when the temperatures are in the 60s at night. This method is a bit more difficult, but it is an option.

How often to repot

You only need to repot a holiday cactus every three or four years because they don’t mind being a bit root-bound, said Beddes.

One thing to note is that the pot you put it in needs to have plenty of drainage holes. Even though they are tropical plants that need moist soil, waterlogging them will end up killing them more quickly.

“If you have them in a dish to catch the water, you need to elevate that dish with some gravel or a couple blocks of wood underneath, but they cannot be in standing water.”

Soil, light, and fertilization

Some other basic requirements include using standard potting soil and giving them relatively bright light.

“An east window or a west or south window are usually fine. And especially if it’s a west [window], maybe [place them] off to the side,” said Beddes. “Sometimes those windows can heat up and cook the foliage, but they are happy just off to the side.”

When it comes to fertilization, it depends on the characteristics of the holiday cactus.

“The standard practice is to fertilize these with either half-strength houseplant fertilizer through the summer or with a granular fertilizer for houseplants like Osmocote.”

Follow the instructions written on the fertilizer, and don’t fertilize in the winter.

How to propagate new plants from cuttings

Because the holiday cactus roots fairly easily, you can start new plants using its cuttings. Get two or three of the pads and dunk them in water. Make sure they are upright instead of upside down.

“Put them into a little Ziploc bag over the top and seal it around the sides of the pot,” said Beddes. “You might put a pencil or something inside to hold the bag up [and] put a few holes in the bag.”

Once you get that set up, you can leave it like that for 6 to 8 weeks and check to make sure it stays moist.

“You’re almost creating a terrarium with that bag, so you may not need to water it that often.”