How to Get Your Christmas Cactus to Bloom Again
Your Christmas Cactus may flower on its own, but if not, here’s what to do. Getting your Christmas Cactus to bloom can take a little effort, but it’s so worth it when it’s covered in flowers.
I’ve been growing Christmas Cacti since I was a little girl. We had quite a few of them in our greenhouse in Connecticut that bloomed during the holidays without effort. Then, I grew them in pots in my garden in Santa Barbara, where they enjoyed a year-round temperate climate.
Even if mine didn’t bloom, I’d love them anyway because of their unusual, appealing foliage and somewhat wacky growth habit. They’re long-lasting houseplants that are very easy to care for.
This is one of my Christmas Cacti (actually it’s a Thanksgiving Cactus which you can tell by the notched, pointed ends on the leaf segments) that blooms red & white. The growers sometimes plant 2 or 3 colors of cuttings in the same pot.
This epiphytic tropical cactus goes by Schlumbergia x buckleya or Schlumbergia bridsii in botanic circles and has a somewhat confusing history regarding their genus. There’s also a Thanksgiving Cactus, Schlumbergia truncate. If yours blooms earlier (mid to end of November), then that’s what it probably is, not a Christmas Cactus.
Most of mine have been Thanksgiving Cacti but were sold as Christmas Cacti, as many of them are. We start to decorate for Christmas right after Thanksgiving and buy our Poinsettias at this time so it makes sense from a marketing standpoint.
Sometimes the two are sold as Holiday Cacti. Regardless of your one, you get them to bloom similarly, just as different start times. I refer to them and mine as Christmas Cacti because that’s what most people know them as.
Here I am with 1 of my Christmas Cactus in my side garden, giving you some blooming tips. Warning: this is an old video!
There are a few things I want to tell you about Christmas Cactus blooms and related tidbits before I get to the flowering part. You may be brand new to this popular holiday houseplant and below are some points that might help you out.
- They bloom at the end of the leaves, which are technically stems. They’re pretty prolific bloomers, especially as they age. Older plants can get covered in flower buds.
- Each individual bloom lasts 5-7 days, depending on the temperature of your home. The warmer your home, the faster the blooms will fade.
- They tend to bloom in stages, so the flowering should last for 3-6 weeks.
- They originally had red flowers, but now hybrids are bred and sold in white, pink, magenta, lavender, peach, salmon, and yellow.
- You can remove the flowers as they die. Just simply pinch them off.
- They bloom best when tight in their pots, so don’t rush to repot them yearly.
- If yours doesn’t flower the 1st year, one of the reasons could be that it’s simply acclimating to the drier air in your home. They’ve been grown in greenhouses with high humidity, after all.
- Remember, this is a tropical cactus, not a desert cactus. Christmas Cactus plants don’t grow as well in dry environments.
Do you love Christmas Cactus? We have more guides for you! Christmas Cactus Care, Christmas Cactus Repotting, Christmas Cactus Propagation, Christmas Cactus Flowering More Than Once A Year, and Christmas Cactus Leaves Turning Orange.
I did virtually nothing to mine growing in the garden to get them to bloom. I did water them a bit more often than my other succulents.
I never let them go completely dry because if you do, the leaves tend to shrivel and turn reddish.
The one you see in the video above is reddish because it was getting more sun that summer than others. It got much less sun as we headed into late fall and turned back to green. Then, the color changed again when the evening temperatures dipped in winter.
The color change is due to environmental stress. My former client’s Christmas Cactus turned orange all over. It grew on her front porch and rarely got watered. Check out the post to find out how resilient these succulent beauties are!
Your Christmas Cactus (or Holiday Cactus in general) may flower on its own, depending on the environmental conditions.
It has to go into a dormant cycle to bloom again. In case yours doesn’t, check out what needs to happen below.
My what beautiful peach/salmon blooms you have. You can see the number of flower buds on the end of each segment. This is why we want our Christmas Cactus to bloom again!
Here’s what you do to get your Thanksgiving or Christmas Cactus to bloom again:
1- Give it 12 to 14 hours of darkness per day. It requires this reduction of light starting approximately 8 weeks before you want it to bloom. Mine growing in the garden naturally got these hours of total darkness as the sun shifted and the daylight hours got shorter.
If you want it to bloom around Thanksgiving, it must start in early October.
2- To be kept on the dry side. Wait until the top 1/4 to 1/2 of the soil dries out before watering again. This could be anywhere from every 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the temperature, the mix, and the size and type of pot it’s planted in.
3- A temperature kept between 50 & 65 degrees F. So, a cool room is best.
As I said, it can take a bit of effort to move it into a closet or basement every night but perhaps you have a spare room that naturally has these conditions.
After the buds start appearing, you can move it back to a spot with bright light, resume the care you previously gave it, and enjoy the beautiful flowers.
By the way, there’s another trendy flowering holiday plant that requires conditions similar to this in order to bloom again, and that is the Poinsettia. You’ll see one in the video that grew down the street from me that was just starting to change color.
Poinsettias are trickier to grow as a houseplant (they’re deciduous for a good portion of the year) much less getting it to bloom again. It’s best to stick with the Christmas Cactus.
My Christmas Cacti that grew outside set flower buds late fall. The changes required to bloom naturally occured as the days got darker and cooler.
I now live in Tucson, AZ and brought one of those Christmas Cactus with me when I moved. I grow it indoors now, and although it still blooms here, the quantity of flowers is much less.
Let’s just say it’s not as fond of this dry climate and misses growing 7 blocks away from the Pacific Ocean. Getting my Christmas Cactus to bloom now takes a bit more work!
I think they’re beautiful in hanging baskets and a welcome sight in stores, nurseries and flower shops come November. It may take a bit of effort to get yours to bloom, but it’s well worth it. An old favorite that gets extra attention at the holiday season – a Christmas Cactus flowering is a festive sight!
Happy gardening,
Want to learn more about how to care for succulents indoors? Check out these guides!
- How to Choose Succulents and Pots
- Small Pots for Succulents
- How to Water Indoor Succulents
- 6 Most Important Succulent Care Tips
- Hanging Planters for Succulents
- 13 Common Succulent Problems and How to Avoid Them
- How to Propagate Succulents
- Succulent Soil Mix
- 21 Indoor Succulent Planters
- How to Repot Succulents
- How To Prune Succulents
- How To Plant Succulents In Small Pots
- Planting Succulents In A Shallow Succulent Planter
- How to Plant and Water Succulents in Pots Without Drain Holes
- How To Make & Take Care Of An Indoor Succulent Garden
- Indoor Succulent Care Basics
Note: This post was originally published on 10/13/2015. It was updated 9/2021 with new images & more info.
This post may contain affiliate links, you can read our policies here.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
Thanks for sharing . I live in Texas and I have never had mine to flower yet . I was told to up it in the closet . And thanks for talking about hoe to water it . I think I must be over watering mine .
You’re most welcome Renee. Just follow what I outlined in this post & video, & yours should flower. It’s a tropical cactus so it needs more water than desert cactus but on the other hand, it doesn’t need as much as most blooming plants. Also, because it’s an epiphyte (in nature it grows on other plants & not in the soil, like most orchids) it doesn’t like to sit in water. Let me know if it blooms! Best, Nell
Hi Nell
Thank you for explaining why the Christmas cactus takes on a reddish hue. My plant has been outside all summer on the north side of the house in Northern California. We have had freezing temps the last two nights so I brought the cactus into the house (about 65 degrees inside) and I already notice small buds forming.
Love your explanations! So glad to know that there is a difference between Thanksgiving & Christmas cactus.
Hi Alaina – You’re very welcome. My Christmas Cacti are covered in buds right now & should be in full bloom right around Christmas. Easter Cacti are totally different but Thanksgiving & Christmas Cacti are the same, just timed by the growers or homeowners to bloom differently. Happy Holidays! Nell
Hi Nelly!
Thank you for your valuable information on getting the Christmas cactus to bloom. I received my cactus at Christmas time in 2015 and expected it to bloom on its own in 2016 because my friend told me that it would on its own because her’s dI’d. Well, mine didn’t. So, my disappointment brought me to your video.
I actually do keep my cactus on the drier side, and living in Ohio does give my cactus a lot of darkness come October thru March. But, I will give your suggestions a try, and I will definitely look forward to some beautiful blossoms! Thank you again for your information!
Stephanie
Greetings Stephanie! Yes, just follow those few points & your Christmas Cactus (which may actually be a Thanksgiving Cactus as many are) will bloom again. Just remember, the earlier you start the process, the earlier it’ll bloom. Happy gardening & you’re very welcome, Nelly
Very interesting article. I live near Green Bay, WI, bought a small transplant last summer. Had 4 stems with 3 or 4 leaves. I sat it in my kitchen window, facing south. By Christmas I had 2 flowers. No special treatment. In March a bloom was developing but drop off, for lack of water, I believe. Now the end of May, there is another flower forming, doing very well. My question, why? Are their ever blooming Christmas Cactus? I do nothing except water it. Thanks for any input.
Hi Jesse – I have never heard of an ever blooming Christmas Cactus on the market. I do know that some people have had theirs bloom sporadically throughout the year in reaction to lower light levels & cooler temps. Nell
I was given two Christmas cactus for Christmas last year I brought one from BC to Ontario. Before leaving BC it had grown many new leaves. It sat in an window all summer with filtered light. Now 5 months later it blooming. The only thing the blooms were red last time and now the blooms are white.
WHY
Hi Daphne – When a CC changes colors, it’s due to some sort of environmental stress. I’m at a client’s in the SF Bay Area & she has a CC that I brought her 4 years ago. It sits outside on the porch table where it only gets watered when I’m here 3 times a year. It’s currently blooming white right now & it was red. Nell
I have a Christmas Cactus that gets buds all year, but they fall off. I have had no blooms since it left the store in 2016. It sits in a window facing east.
I’ve fertilized it, but I’ve never replanted it. What is my problem?
Hi Susan – When the buds fall off, it’s usually caused by too much water (root rot) or a change in environment. Because they are photoperiodic, if something is off with that, there’s another reason. Here’s a new post & video I just did on CC care which you might find helpful: https://www.joyusgarden.com/how-to-grow-christmas-cactus/ Nell
I have a Christmas Cactus as was wondering if you could tell me why it only blooms on one side. What can I do to get to bloom all over. Thanks
Hi Paul –
I would say it has to do with the light exposure. CC like equal periods of light & complete dark for 6-8 weeks to bloom. I don’t know what situation you have it growing in but perhaps the not getting the light/dark it needs on that non-blooming side. Nell
Thankyou so much for.your great info on the cactii. Got started late, but i have buds for the first time. Next year I’ll start in October. Thanks again.
My pleasure Diane! Nell
Just read your tips, I am so happy to read your in S.B. which I grew up there. Thanks for the advice on how to care for my Christmas catus . Living in North Dakota, and was feeling I was doing something wrong,but I’m on track can’t wait for the blooms. My mother always had many be I remember growing up.Thanks . Pastor LaVerne Gonzalez
You are certainly welcome Pastor Laverne. They need equal parts light & complete darkness to bloom again successfully. I think they’re an attractive houseplant especially when they start to trail. I left SB over a year ago & moved to Arizona. I miss those beach walks but have beautiful mountains here. All the best, Nell
Here it is, Jan 2018. What do I do now to get blooms in december2018
Hi Mary lou – It takes about 6-8 weeks for a Christmas (or Thanksgiving) Cactus to set buds. You can find the steps you need to take in the blog post towards the end. Nell
What about pruning or cutting back? Will that stimulate growth or even new buds ?
Hi Pam – Not that I know of. Cutting back a bit will force the stems to branch which should bring more flowers. I never prune my Holiday Cactus (except for propagation) because I like the look when they start to arch & trail a bit. Nell
I live in Canton, Ohio. I bought a Christmas cactus in early December but it never bloomed. I thought maybe it had already bloomed and dropped them before I bought it possibly. It’s February 24th and I just woke up to seeing a lot of buds, two of which look like they may bloom soon! I’m wondering how many times a year it can bloom and if I should try again in October by putting it in a darker area?
Hi Mary – It may be a Thanksgiving Cactus & already bloomed before you bought it. One of mine which bloomed in Nov. is blooming again now in Feb. I’ve had some which has bloomed 3 times a year. Yes, you can stimulate blooming by putting it in a dark room & reducing watering 6-8 weeks before you want it to flower. Nell
I’ve had my Christmas Cactus for 2 years. Both years it has bloomed at Christmas as expected. I keep it with my other plants in the living room near the window but also supplement with a grow light several hours a day. I just noticed today (March 10) that is is blooming again! Not that I’m complaining, but why is it blooming again so soon? Will this affect the Christmas time bloom?
Hi Susan – Funny you should bring that up. My Christmas Cactus (actually a Thanksgiving Cactus) is blooming again right now too. They can bloom again in late winter/early spring although many don’t. I’m publishing a post & video on this subject in a couple of weeks so check back on the blog. Nell
Hi Nell,
When you take a cutting off of your Schlumbergia, I noticed it causes a hard scar. Will this scarred area start to re grow or even bloom again? Will it take a while to start growing there again or bloom again?
Thank you Nell
Hi Suzie – The scarred end goes in the mix & produces the roots. The tips produce the new growth & eventually bloom. I just did a post & video on this: https://www.joyusgarden.com/how-to-propagate-christmas-cactus-holiday-thanksgiving-by-stem-cuttings-with-1-easy-twist/ Hope that helps! Nell
Hi Nell!
Love reading all your articles and seeing your gorgeous plants! I currently have seven different Thanksgiving cactuses along with two true Christmas cactuses and three Easter cactuses. This year the Thanksgiving cactuses have bloomed three times since November and it seems like buds just keep in appearing on different plants all the time! The Christmas cactus bloomed twice (Dec and then again in March). The Easter are currently in bloom now. I keep mine directly on the windowsill in an east facing window so they get sun in the morning and early afternoon with no artificial light. This room also remains on the cooler side with no direct heat. I only water them when they are almost totally dry and they are pretty close to being rootbound. I think the lower temperatures and keeeping them in a tight pot are what really helps them to keep developing new buds and rebloom!
Thank you for sharing Christine! Sounds like you have a blooming jungle. I just did a post on this subject as my Thanksgiving Cactus just got through blooming. You might want to give it a look: https://www.joyusgarden.com/do-christmas-cactus-flower-more-than-once-a-year/ Enjoy! Nell
Hey, if you want a real kick, trick the plant into producing fruit. The fruits are pretty and last a really long time. The darker the flower color the darker red/purple the fruits will be. White flowers produce a light pink fruit. You have to have two genetically different plants, a paintbrush, and a little knowledge about flower sex. Take the paintbrush and get pollen from the anthers of one plant and dust it on the end of the long skinny central (female part of the plant). Keep going back and forth between the two plants and you will produce a few fruits. For those in warm climates you may be able to get a natural pollinator such as bees to do the work for you if you keep the two different plants in close proximity
Hi Elizabeth – Yes, I know they produce fruit but it’s good for those who geek out on “all things plant” to find out about. The downside is that the leaf with the fruit won’t produce a flower until the fruit is removed. Oh well, it’s fun to do anyway! Nell
Is it possible for a Christmas cactus to bloom now? I mean my mom’s is. It seems like it’s a Christmas and Easter cactus.
Hi April – Yes it is. A post on that here: https://www.joyusgarden.com/do-christmas-cactus-flower-more-than-once-a-year/ Or, it could be an Easter or Spring Cactus. I’m doing a post on this plant next week. the flowers on the holiday cactus are different from those on the spring cactus. Nell
My cactus was beautiful in December, and now I also see some buds again. Thanks for article
You’re welcome Jeanette. Some people are surprised when theirs blooms again so I wanted to do a post on it. Nell
What fertilizer should I use.?
Hi Fran -I don’t fertilize mine & there’s a lot of out there. I’d use an all-purpose orchid food (or any general fert.) with the formulation 20-10-20. Feed in Spring & summer at 1/2 strength. Nell
I have not fertitilze my Christmas cactus for maybe a year but it is nice and green but has not bloomed since I got it and that’s about 2 years ago . I do not over water it .
Hi Fran – It may not have gotten long enough periods of darkness to induce budding. Nell
My Christmas Cactus try’s to bloom but the buds just dry up and fall off. It has been doing this off and on all year. Am I not watering it enough?
Hi Monica – Buds falling off a CC are a reaction to a change in watering (usually too much), temperature, light &/or location. Nell
Hi Nell! Thank you for this wonderful website, I found out so much about my plants here! It was very useful for me as a newbie. I followed your advice and have been putting my Xmas cactus through the dormancy inducing regime for about 4 weeks now. I was so excites when I notices that it started forming tiny buds two days ago! My question is, how big and developed do buds have to be in order to resume normal conditions. Should I already stop with the light/dark regime and continue watering? Also, should one water the cactus at all during the dormancy? I haven’t been watering mine for 4 weeks but it looks fine.
Hi – You’re very welcome! Mine is starting to put out buds now too. I wait until the plant is at least 1/2 – 3/4 covered with buds & they’re a bit larger before resuming. I water my cactus about every 4 weeks during dormancy & live in the desert. Happy Holidays! Nell
Hi Nell, I’ve been reducing watering and placing my CC in a closet every night for 8 weeks now, still no buds. What could I be doing wrong? Thanks!
Hi Lea – It could be the temperature. They like it cool to be able to set buds. Just because it didn’t bloom this year doesn’t mean it won’t next year. Nell
Hi I have a Christmas or Thanksgiving catus that has never budded I have had it for years bout 5 years .it gets new growth on it but never any buds I have transplanted it maybe like 2 times in the past 5 years what am I doing wrong ?
Sandra – They are photoperiodic which means they need 14 hours of complete darkness for 6-8 weeks to set buds. Nell
I have a holiday cactus that I have had for 30 to 35 years! Really! It blooms when it wants! Thanksgiving, Christmas once even at Easter! It is pot bound now and I wand to divide it and give part to my daughters. Any certain way to break it apart. I don’t want to do it till after it has bloomed this year–assuming it does–2020 you know!
Thanks
Sherry M in Kentucky
Hi Sherry – I said they’re long-lived & you proved it! I’ve never divided one that old but I have younger ones. With one, I cut off the pot because it was being stubborn. Divide it carefully – hopefully, your plant will have some natural dividing points. Nell