How often to water a Christmas cactus – the perfect schedule

Wondering how often to water a Christmas cactus? You’re not alone – it can be tricky to know how much water this festive houseplant needs, especially with cactus in the name.

One of the most important parts of caring for a Christmas cactus is watering it correctly. Too much or too little can lead to a host of Christmas cactus problems, which is why getting it right is key to the plant’s survival.

We’ve checked in with houseplant experts to determine just how often to water a Christmas cactus and help you find the perfect schedule.

How often to water a Christmas cactus

Christmas cacti are among the best Christmas houseplants, but overwatering or underwatering causes most of their issues, so knowing how often to water a Christmas cactus is essential.

‘Despite being a cactus, the Christmas cactus will need watering far more than you’d expect,’ says Jo Lambell, founder of Beards & Daisies.

That said, you shouldn’t be overdoing it. ‘Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot,’ warns Andy Little, houseplant buyer at British Garden Centres.

So, what is the perfect watering schedule?

‘Water your Christmas cactus approximately every two weeks, or when the soil feels dry to the touch,’ Andy advises.

Jo agrees, breaking it down into the seasons. ‘Aim to water your plant every two to three weeks in the cooler months, and every one to two weeks in warmer weather,’ she says.

‘But keep an eye on its soil – if the top two inches feel dry to touch, then it’s time to treat it to a watering.’

So, it’s all about monitoring the top couple of inches of the soil to give your plant the water it needs. There is a formula you can use for even better blooms, though.

‘Water and feed your plant monthly from mid-spring to early autumn, then stop feeding and reduce watering,’ advises Kelly Dyer, indoor house plant expert at Patch Plants.

Then, you’ll need to move the plant to a cool, dark room for a few weeks until new buds form.

‘When buds appear in mid-winter, return the plant to the light and resume watering,’ Kelly continues. ‘When flowering has finished, you can stop watering for a few weeks until you pick up your normal watering and feeding rhythm in spring.’

Does a Christmas cactus need humidity?

Jo also recommends misting the plant regularly to mimic its natural environment.

‘Native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil, this plant is used to humid, warm temperature,’ she explains.

Elizabeth Marshall, buyer at Hillier Garden Centres, agrees, ‘As tropical plants, Christmas cacti prefer higher humidity levels.’

This can be a little challenging to maintain during the colder, drier winter months. ‘Indoor heating systems can make the air quite arid, making it difficult for the plant to thrive,’ says Elizabeth. ‘To maintain the right humidity, you can mist your plant regularly or place it on a tray of damp pebbles.

‘For even better results, consider placing your Christmas cactus in a kitchen or bathroom, as these rooms tend to have higher humidity compared to other areas in your home.’

Where to buy a Christmas cactus

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FAQs

How can you tell if a Christmas cactus is overwatered?

When the leaves of your Christmas cactus start to droop, turn brown or become soft and mushy, it’s likely that you’ve overwatered it. If you’re wondering why your Christmas cactus is dropping leaves, that could be a tell-tale sign, too.

Where is the best place to put a Christmas cactus?

If you want to know how to get a Christmas cactus to bloom throughout winter, you’ll need to start by choosing the perfect spot for the plant.

‘Provide bright but indirect light for the best bloom show,’ advises Jo from Beards & Daisies.

Follow this advice on how often to water a Christmas cactus and you should be rewarded with vibrant blooms all winter long.