Christmas Cactus

toxic to pets when ingested

This Brazilian native starts to bloom when the days get shorter and cooler, which is why they are popular around the holidays. In Minnesota it is ideal to keep them outside during the summer so they can enjoy the sun and heat. When night temperatures dip down to 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit bring your Christmas cactus indoors to a cool room that stays dark past sunset. This is the right environment for them to form blooms just for the start of winter. Once buds start to form, place the plant in the area you would like to bloom, preferable in a visible area to enjoy it.

Light: Bright, indirect sunlight. Moderate light while blooming.

Temperature: Prefers 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit in the Spring/Summer, a cool 50-65 during the winter.

Water: In Spring/Summer: keep soil slightly moist while allowing the soil to almost dry out between watering in the winter.

Nutrients: Use a high-phosphorous fertilizer. When not blooming feed every 2 weeks, reducing the mix slightly. When blooming, feed monthly.

Soil: Choose a lightweight mix.

Repotting: Repot young plants once a year, and older plants every 2 or 3 years.

Happy Planting: To share or keep your plants memory, this plant can be propagated. Take a cutting with 2 or 3 pads in the early Summer. Allow the end to dry for a day before planting in moist soil. Most plants can live up to 5 to 6 years or indefinitely through propagation