Schlumbergera x buckleyi, commonly known as the Christmas Cactus, is a hybrid houseplant cherished for its vibrant, tubular flowers that typically bloom during late fall and early winter. This epiphytic cactus, native to Brazil’s coastal mountains, is popular as a low-maintenance holiday plant that thrives indoors.
Identifying Your Christmas Cactus
Distinguishing Schlumbergera x buckleyi from other holiday cacti, like the Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), relies on physical characteristics. The Christmas Cactus has flat, jointed stem segments (cladodes) with smooth, rounded, or scalloped edges, unlike the Thanksgiving Cactus’s pointed or toothed projections.
Bloom time and flower appearance also differ. Schlumbergera x buckleyi generally blooms from late November through February, with symmetrical flowers and pink to purplish-brown anthers. Thanksgiving Cactus flowers often have yellow anthers and an irregular shape. Christmas Cactus stems also tend to arch downward.
Essential Care for Christmas Cactus
Light
Christmas Cacti thrive in bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is ideal. Direct, intense sunlight can bleach stems or turn them reddish, indicating stress. Too little light can hinder blooming.
Watering
Proper watering is important. The plant prefers its soil to dry out partially between waterings; allow the top inch or two of the potting mix to dry before rewatering. Overwatering leads to root rot, causing soft or mushy stems, while underwatering results in drooping or shriveled stems. After watering, ensure excess water drains completely.
Soil
Christmas Cacti are epiphytic, naturally growing on trees and rocks. They require a well-draining, airy potting mix that mimics their natural environment. A suitable mix combines regular potting soil with amendments like perlite, sand, or orchid bark to improve drainage and aeration. A slightly acidic soil pH is beneficial for nutrient uptake.
Temperature and Humidity
These plants prefer moderate temperatures, between 60-70°F (15-21°C) during active growth. They are sensitive to extreme cold and drafts, which can damage the plant and cause bud drop. Maintaining moderate to high humidity, around 50-60%, is beneficial. Placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water can help increase ambient humidity.
Fertilizing
During the active growing season (spring through summer), Christmas Cacti benefit from regular fertilization. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20 or 10-10-10), diluted to half strength, can be applied monthly or every two to four weeks. It is recommended to stop fertilizing in early fall to prepare the plant for its blooming cycle. Fertilizing during dormancy or bloom induction is unnecessary and can harm the roots.
Encouraging Abundant Blooms
To encourage abundant flowers, specific environmental cues are necessary, mimicking natural seasonal changes. The plant requires cooler temperatures and shortened daylight hours (a short-day/long-night cycle), starting in mid-September or early October. During this bloom induction phase, aim for night temperatures between 55-65°F (13-18°C).
Providing 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night for 6-8 weeks is important. This can be achieved by placing the plant in a dark room or covering it. During the day, the plant should still receive bright, indirect light. Reduced watering during this period, allowing the topsoil to dry more between waterings, aids bud formation. Once flower buds form, resume regular watering and avoid moving the plant, as sudden changes can cause buds to drop.
Propagating Christmas Cactus
Propagating Schlumbergera x buckleyi is straightforward using stem cuttings. The best time is late spring or early summer, after blooming. To take a cutting, select a healthy stem section of two to five segments and gently twist or cut it at a joint.
Allow the cut end to dry and form a callus for a day or two; this prevents rot once planted. Prepare a pot with a well-draining rooting medium, such as a mix of potting soil and perlite or sand. Insert the callused end about one inch deep into the moist medium. Place potted cuttings in bright, indirect light and keep the soil lightly moist until roots develop, which takes four to eight weeks.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Christmas Cacti can exhibit several issues, often related to improper care. If leaves appear reddish or purplish, it indicates too much direct sunlight or a nutrient deficiency. Moving the plant to filtered light can help. Drooping or limp stems frequently point to incorrect watering; check soil moisture.
Soft, mushy stems or a foul odor from the soil are signs of root rot, usually from overwatering. In such cases, remove the plant, trim affected roots, and repot in fresh, well-draining soil. Common pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids can affect Christmas Cacti; regular inspection and appropriate pest control manage infestations. Sudden bud drop can occur due to fluctuations in temperature, humidity, or moving the plant while budding.