Keep these colorful blooms vibrant throughout the holiday season.
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Poinsettiasaren’t the only plant bringing vibrant blooms to your holiday decor.
The Christmas cactus is another beloved houseplant that puts on a colorful show from November through January.
Credit:Getty Images/bmanzurova
But, like many succulents and cacti, understanding the right watering frequency is critical to a healthy plant.
It prefers similar conditions when grown indoors, thriving in humid environments with indirect light.
It’s also part of a group of cacti known as holiday cacti.
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To know when to water your Christmas cactus, monitor the top inch of the soil.
When that becomes dry, it’s time to water again.
Watering also needs to be increased during the bloom season from November through January.
Here are the factors at play that could help determine how often to water Christmas cactus.
Soil Composition
The Christmas cactus prefers a well-draining soil that is neutral or acidic.
A sandy mix that is specifically designed for cacti is often the best choice.
This allows the soil to drain adequately after watering.
You might have to water more often, but the roots will be hapier.
A larger pot will hold more water, which gives you reserves to rely on.
A smaller pot will drain faster, and you’ll have to water more often.
Sunlight speeds up the evaporation process, and the cactus will lose water faster.
Temperature
Similar to light exposure, temperature can it how impact how quickly water evaporates from soil.
If a room is warmer, a Christmas cactus will need to be watered more often.
Ideally, temperatures should sit around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Signs Of Underwatering
A Christmas cactus that has a lack of water will begin to look dehydrated.
You may see wrinkled or dying leaves or the soil may look alarmingly dry.
Monitor the soil to track when the top inch becomes dry.
First, dump out any excess water, then remove the Christmas cactus from its pot.
Remove any roots that look like they’ve softened and rotted beyond repair.
Give the roots a good rinse (counterintuitive, we know!
), then let the Christmas cactus dry out overnight.
The next day, repot the Christmas cactus in dry soil.
Let it acclimate for a few days, then resume a less frequent watering schedule.
Anything in the environment that impact the Christmas cactus' ability to retain moisture will affect the watering needs.
If it’s warm or there’s excessive sunlight, you’ll need to water more often.
While you might use tap water to water a Christmas cactus, it actually prefers a less alkaline water.
Try filtered water for the optimal water conditions.
The cactus will use more water in flower production, so monitor the top inch of the soil.
When that’s dry, it’s time to water again.
