Encourage your Christmas cactus to flower ‘prolifically’ each year

Royal Horticultural Society gives advice on Christmas cactus

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The Christmas cactus is a houseplant that produces tubular, colourful flowers and blooms for a long period of time. Unlike other varieties of cactus, the Christmas cactus comes from the tropical rainforests of southern Brazil where they grow on tree branches.

The plant likes lots of humidity, sunlight and temperatures on the warmer side. Unlike other cacti, the plant cannot thrive in arid, sunny positions.

“These plants, which naturally flower over the winter period, are not cactus and do need more water,” explained gardening expert at Hayes Garden World, Angela Slater.

She told Express.co.uk: “Once the top of the compost has dried out, give it a little water (enough to make the compost just damp).

“Too much water will result in the plant rotting. They will tolerate a little neglect but if they are kept without water for long periods over the winter, they will drop their buds.”

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Despite this, the plant is easy to care for and can look healthy and happy for weeks over the Christmas period.

However, like poinsettias, many people don’t realise the Christmas cactus will re-flower every year.

But in order for your Christmas cactus to thrive, it needs to have a resting period after flowering.

Angela explained: “They can easily live for decades and flower prolifically every Christmas but they do need certain conditions to enable them to flower every year. 

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“Give them two periods of rest after they have finished flowering and again in late summer/early autumn.

“You can leave them outside for the summer. Keep them at a cooler temperature and reduce watering.

“Once you see buds appearing, place them in their final flowering position.

“They are prone to bud drop and this is caused by moving them once the buds have formed, overwatering or too big a difference in day and night temperatures.”

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Day-to-day your Christmas cactus needs a light spot away from draughts but not in direct sunlight or over a heat source.

The plant loves a humid atmosphere so it needs to be stood on a saucer of damp gravel or a humidifier can be placed in the room.

Place the plant in its permanent winter position in late autumn as, once the buds form, it hates being moved and will drop the buds in protest at changing conditions.

In mid-summer, the plant should start to feed with a little high potash feed, such as Tomorite, every couple of weeks.

This will encourage the formation of flower buds. Also, give the plant a little fertiliser every couple of weeks once the buds have started to form.

Christmas cacti will drop their blossoms if it’s exposed to any stress.

A change in light, a sudden change in temperatures or not enough water could cause the buds to drop.

The plant could also be susceptible to mealy bugs, or root rot if the plant is over-watered.

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