Schlumbergera bridgessi, or zygocactus better known as Christmas Cactus, are native to the rain forests of Brazil.  Very few have seen this plant in their native setting, but most have seen them in a friend’s home or had one of their own.  Ease of care is one reason they are so common.  They are hard to kill and are long lived, often times with a single plant handed down from generation to generation.

Christmas Cactus are tropical meaning they don’t require a lot of water and they cannot take the direct sun at Colorado elevations (bright light is usually enough).  If older plants are root bound, they should be re-potted into a pot at least 2” larger during July or August.  Use a lightweight potting mix.  A general-purpose liquid fertilizer can be applied during spring and summer months.  After mid-September, run the soil dryer than normal, but don’t let the soil constrict from the sides of the pot or let the leaves wither.  You can continue to fertilize, but change to high phosphate (the middle number) to encourage blooming.  If you have one of those plants that never blooms, put it in a room that is heated and dark during the evening hours.

One of the biggest complaints about Christmas Cactus is that they drop their buds before flowering.  Once you see buds on it, keep doing what you’ve been doing.  Don’t increase or decrease water, fertilizer, or light.  As a matter of fact, they do not like to be disturbed.  So look for hot or cold drafts and make sure there aren’t wet/dry extremes or day/night temperature extremes.

After the flowers have dropped, begin to water normally.  In March, begin using a general-purpose fertilizer again.  If conditions are right, you may have blooms again near Easter. 

For any questions you have on this article, or any topic of concern, email us—or better yet, come by and talk to one of our professional staff members.  Remember, Phelan Gardens is open year-round!   

For additional information, check the following link:

• Christmas Cactus Information