“Christmas cactus is such a beloved houseplant, and it makes a wonderful gift for friends and family during the winter holidays. I have three of them, and even though I'm honestly not the best…”
Calathea
Calathea orbifolia
Christmas cactus is such a beloved houseplant, and it makes a wonderful gift for friends and family during the winter holidays. I have three of them, and even though I'm honestly not the best houseplant parent, they're absolutely thriving—probably because of my neglect, honestly! A little attention is really all they need. Getting them to bloom right at Christmas takes a bit more effort, but it's totally doable, and the payoff is so worth it.
Water: Don't let the name fool you—Christmas cactus isn't a desert cactus at all. It actually comes from the tropical rain forest, where it lives perched up on tree branches. It needs more water and humidity than your typical cactus.
As a houseplant, if you let the soil get too dry, your Christmas cactus will droop and start dropping leaves, flowers, or buds. I water regularly and deeply until water runs out the drainage holes. When that top inch of potting mix feels dry to the touch, it's watering time.
This jungle plant also really appreciates humid air. See the tips in"Increase Humidity for Houseplants."
Food: Feed with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer when your plant is actively growing or blooming—just follow the package directions.
Soil: Go with a loose, well-draining soil—I prefer a succulent or orchid mix. Even though Christmas cactus likes regular watering, it still needs good drainage. Just think about how it lives up in the rain forest canopy!
Light: Bright, indirect light gives you the best blooms. Christmas cactus actually grows surprisingly well in low light too, but you won't get as many flowers. You can take them outside for the summer—just keep them out of direct sun.
How to get your Christmas cactus to bloom right at Christmas:
Starting in mid-October, give your Christmas cactus complete darkness for 12 to 13 hours a day—I pop mine in a closet from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. In about eight weeks, buds should start forming. After that, just keep it in one spot where it's happy. (Moving it around to different light or temperatures can make it drop those buds, and that's heartbreaking!)
