How To Start A Christmas Cactus

It s a relatively easy process that involves rooting the cutting in a medium before repotting the new growth.

How to start a christmas cactus. The resulting leaf cuttings can be used to start a new christmas cactus plant. Propagating an existing plant is the easiest and quickest way to grow a christmas cactus but you can start them. Christmas cactus propagation usually begins by simply taking a short y shaped cutting from the stem tip. A lush winter blooming plant christmas cactus schlumbergera x buckleyi displays a profusion of impressive pink or red blooms just in time for the winter holidays.

The thanksgiving cactus has little spine like notches coming off its leaves just like a crab claw hence that common name whereas the leaves of the christmas cactus are smoother. While you can plant christmas cactus outside it s not a good idea since they re picky about temperature and light they thrive only in indirect light and require temperatures above 50 f 10 c. A beautiful holiday plant botanically known as schlumbergera or zygocactus the christmas cactus unsurprisingly blooms at christmas and also sometimes around easter time if cared for properly a month prior to christmas you will be able to watch the tips of the leaves beginning to grow. Christmas cactus is a beautiful house plant that s perfect for the holiday season.

Propagating christmas cactus is easy. Alternatively you can simply remove a few fully grown leaf segments recognizable by their size and dark green color from an inconspicuous place from the mother plant for reproduction the leaves will grow back quickly. The thanksgiving cactus is timed to flower in november december whereas it s december january for the christmas cactus.