If you've chosen to make the Christmas Cactus a part of your festive end-of-the-year decor this year, you're in for a ride! Not only is this succulent super easy to care for but also looks stunning and possesses the ability to instantly uplift your Christmas decor.
However, just like any other plant, this succulent also needs to be perfectly understood in order to thrive in your space through the year. With the right love, this Christmas cactus decor will turn your space into a memorable wintery haven filled with favorite shared memories that will stay with you forever.
Buy Christmas Cactus Online
This blog will explore the Christmas Cactus plant, its meanings that make it the perfect Christmas plant, and some care tips that will make you a plant care pro for this stunning succulent!
• Know the Christmas Cactus Plant Better
Also known as Schlumbergera, the Christmas Cactus plant tops the list of Christmas favorites. It's right up there with plants like the Indian Christmas Tree and Poinsettia, which gives it that crowd-favorite wintery feel.
One of the most interesting parts of this plant is its flowers - bright, vibrant, and undeniably charming. The breathtaking Christmas Cactus flowers are perfect for Christmas because they begin to bloom right when the seasonal clock strikes winter. Essentially, what triggers a Christmas Cactus to bloom is that wintery chill setting into the environment around it.
This cactus boasts long, flat leaves that are serrated on each side & store a lot of water, thus making them the low-maintenance stunners that they are.
• Christmas Cactus Decor: What Makes it Perfect for Christmas-Time?
Yes, the Christmas Cactus - as its name suggests - is a festive favorite. But what earns it this reputation and what makes it the perfect houseplant? Here's what you need to know!
1. Perfectly-Timed Blooms
As mentioned before, the Christmas Cactus plant blooms when winter begins to fall. This perfectly syncs the flowers' bloom time with Christmas and New Year. Additionally, the blooms grow in hues of red, pink, orange, and white, which allows them to fit right in with the decor theme.
2. Symbol of Shared Memories
The blooms on Christmas Cactus and the plant itself is a well-known symbol of family history. Some say that the plant stores memories and become a harbinger of luck for all the memories yet to come.
According to beliefs, Christmas Cactus flowers also stand as reminders of those who once nurtured the plant, serving as an ode to the love and admiration shared during the festivities and beyond.
3. Symbol of Resilience and Longevity
The Christmas Cactus plant is also known for its longevity, often passed down through generations. It symbolizes endurance and renewal, aligning with the spirit of Christmas and the New Year.
Now that you know more about why Christmas Cactus decor makes for the perfect festive decor, the next step is to better understand the basics of its care. So, let's get into it!
• Christmas Cactus Plant Care Tips: Keeping the Plant Alive & Kicking 101
Just like most plants that like the love and attention they get from us, the Christmas Cactus flower plant does too. It adores being pampered but remember, it's like a cat - pamper it but not too much!
Here are some basic care tips to keep in mind:
1. What is the Best Potting Mix for Christmas Cactus Plants?
Since this stunning plant is a cactus, it needs very specific soil mixes that allow it the right kind of drainage and aeration that it needs. For this, you can use Ugaoo's Cactus and Succulent Potting Mix, which is a mix of essential ingredients such as perlite, coco peat, charcoal, and more.
These ingredients allow the plant the breathing space and time it needs to thrive in your space.
2. When to Stop Watering Christmas Cactus?
The real question is not "when to water the plant" but " when to stop watering Christmas Cactus plants?" Why? Because more often than not, the common cause of death for this plant is overwatering.
So, the most important thing to remember is that since the plant is a cactus, it stores water in its leaves. Watering it once every week during the summer season and perhaps a little more depending on its needs during the winter is all you need!
3. What Kind of Light Does it Need?
Generally, the Christmas Cactus flower plant does best when placed in bright, indirect light. This stunning cactus needs just enough light to thrive in your space but also not so much that it falls under the risk of leaf burn.
Remember - direct sunlight will do, but only during the early mornings and late afternoons when the sun's heat isn't scorching.
4. Keeping the Cactus Well Fed
If you're buying a Christmas Cactus online with Ugaoo, you need not worry about fertilizing the plant for the first 6 months as we ensure that it comes to you properly fed and set for the next few months. However, the question arises when you near the end of that 6-month mark.
For this plant, a balanced and slow-release feed done with organic fertilizers is key. To ensure optimal fertilization and prevent over-fertilization in any way, you can use Ugaoo's Plant Food Fertilizer Sticks. Just one stick will last you 60 days and ensure a proper, balanced diet for your plant every time you water it.
5. How Do You Get a Christmas Cactus to Bloom Indoors?
With plants like this one, proper lighting is key when you wish to ensure a healthy and vibrant blooming season. Whether you've got the Cactus variety that produces red, pink, orange, or white flowers, the drill is the same - give it the right kind of light and ensure that it is perfectly watered.
Additionally, you can also make use of natural supplements or additions to the soil such as Epsom Salt - a mineral that promotes better blooms over time.
With the right understanding of Christmas Cactus plants and the basic know-how of caring for plants, you will be able to grow the most glorious cactus to make your ultimate Christmas decor dreams come true! After all, what better way to kickstart your end-of-the-year festive season?
Happy gardening and Merry Christmas!
