§ Care guide · Schlumbergera × buckleyi · Checked Oct 2026
How to care for a Christmas cactus
Give a Christmas cactus bright, indirect light, water when the top inch of soil is dry, and keep it at 70 to 80°F by day and 55 to 65°F at night. To set flower buds it needs 12 to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness a night for about 6 weeks in fall.
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§ 010 · Care
Christmas cactus care, step by step
Light
Christmas cactus prefers bright, indirect light and does not like long stretches of strong, direct sun. A south window works if the plant gets direct sun for no more than a few hours in the morning. Outdoors in summer, set it in part shade with 3 to 6 hours of sun a day.
Water
Water when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch, and wet the potting soil thoroughly from the top. Let the soil dry between waterings, because the plant grows poorly in heavy, wet soil. Keep the soil moist from spring through summer and cut back on watering in mid-September.
Temperature
Holiday cacti prefer 70 to 80°F during the day and 55 to 65°F at night. The plant comes from mountain forests in Brazil and cannot take frost; Wisconsin Extension puts its minimum at 55 to 60°F. While it is in flower, aim for about 70°F by day and 65°F in the evening, and the blooms last 2 to 3 weeks.
Humidity
Holiday cacti appreciate humidity, and a bathroom or kitchen gives them more of it. If conditions get too dry while the plant is in flower, the buds and flowers drop early.
Soil and potting
Use a well-drained, slightly acidic mix that is high in organic matter. University of Minnesota Extension suggests 1 part sterile potting soil, 2 parts peat moss, and 1 part sharp sand or perlite; Wisconsin Extension cites a grower mix of 60% peat moss and 40% perlite. Plants bloom best when kept somewhat pot-bound and may need repotting only every three years.
Fertilizer
Feed monthly while the plant is actively growing, from April through October, with a complete houseplant fertilizer. University of Minnesota Extension feeds June through August at half strength, then switches to a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus and high-potassium formula such as 0-15-10 for the fall bloom period.
Getting it to bloom again
Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti are short-day plants: they need 12 to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness a night for about 6 weeks to set buds. Cool nights also work. At 55°F nights, plants set buds in about 5 to 6 weeks, sometimes regardless of day length, and blooming is unlikely when nights stay above 65°F. North Carolina State Extension lists the full recipe as bright days, nights of 55 to 65°F, and at least 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness.
After the holidays
When flowering ends, remove the spent flowers and prune the plant with a small, sharp pruner or knife to encourage branching. Start feeding again once it is actively growing in spring.
Common problems
Bud drop comes from drafts, heat sources, sudden temperature or humidity changes, a change in the direction or amount of light, too much light, overwatering, or letting the plant dry out while in flower. A plant can also set more buds than it can carry. Overwatering leads to root rot, and the plant can get scale, mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats, slugs, and snails.
Pet safety
The ASPCA lists Christmas cactus as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. North Carolina State Extension also calls it non-toxic and safe in homes with pets or children.
§ 020 · Questions
Questions about Christmas cactuss
Why is my Christmas cactus dropping buds?
Drafts, heat sources, overwatering, too much light, and sudden changes in temperature, humidity, or light all make buds drop. Letting the soil dry out too much while it is in flower does the same. Keep it in one spot with steady conditions once buds form.
How do I get my Christmas cactus to bloom again?
Give it 12 to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness every night for about 6 weeks in fall, or cool nights around 55°F, which set buds in about 5 to 6 weeks. Nights above 65°F make blooming unlikely.
Is it a Christmas cactus or a Thanksgiving cactus?
Look at the stem segments. Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) has pointed projections along the edges and blooms closer to Thanksgiving. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera × buckleyi) has rounded, scalloped edges and blooms closer to Christmas.
How often should I water a Christmas cactus?
Water when the top inch of soil is dry, then soak the soil thoroughly. Do not let it sit wet, because heavy, wet soil leads to root rot.
Is Christmas cactus poisonous to cats and dogs?
No. The ASPCA lists Christmas cactus as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.