How to Prevent Christmas Cactus Buds From Falling Off
It was a very “Rocky” sort of moment. If ever a plant could bring out my inner Russian boxer, it is most certainly this Christmas cactus. Last December I brought it home from my local grocery store. At just $2.99, it was no big investment. How hard could it be, right? Covered in fuchsia flowers and dozens of buds, I figured this would make an excellent addition to my growing collection of houseplants. Its “cactus” status screamed low maintenance. VERY misleading. Bathed in ignorance and weakened by my longing for flowers, I envisioned it fitting right in with my other thrive-on-neglect comrades. How could I go wrong?
Who knows how long the thing sat in the grocery store before it sucked me in. No doubt it was already suffering from the trauma of shipping and exposure to low light and dry air. Compared to its cozier duds in some greenhouse probably in Florida, the grocery must have been the plant’s idea of pure hell. No doubt it was hoping for a plant mom that knew its needs. I wasn’t that girl. At least not yet.
So I wrapped it up and protected it from the cold in my unzipped coat (zipping would have crushed the flowers) as I made the trek from the check-out to the car. Within days of its arrival, the buds began to fall off. Slightly offended, I stood over this tiny plant in the 3-inch plastic pot and uttered in my best Russian accent, “If he dies, he dies.” It was very Ivan Drago, only I wasn’t sweaty, I’m not Russian and my opponent was a plant. Game on.
Bruised But Not Beaten
As I began researching the solution, I discovered that the Christmas cactus isn’t the prickly dry-air desert dweller we commonly envision when we hear “cactus.” But it’s a close cousin, native to the lush forests of the Organ Mountains in Brazil. It likes humidity, something most cold climate homes in December lack. In fact, bud drop is almost inevitable without it.
I created a little humidity tray and set it beneath the plant, being careful not to allow the pot to sit in the water. A plastic saucer full of pea gravel and refilled with water as it dries out is enough to keep everyone happy. A humidifier would work too but this was a more cost-effective approach. And it worked! I got the buds to set (I’ll explain how in a later post), stay put and things are looking festive once again.
Other environmental stressors like drafts, changes in lighting, over or underwatering and sudden relocation can cause bud drop too.
I water when the top inch of soil is dry, and more frequently in the spring and summer when it’s in its active growth phase and living outside on the patio where it gets morning sun. It’s gotten considerably bigger. I’m winning. Finally.
The 411
Holiday cacti – Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter – are members of a small group of plants belonging to the Schlumbergera genus. Occasionally, you may see them labeled by an older name, Zygocactus. They’re epiphytes, preferring to dangle from branches or chill in tree crotches in their native habitat rather than set roots in soil. Roots are for clinging to trees and branches. Special leaf openings, called stoma, absorb moisture and nutrients from the air.
Their desire for bright, indirect light makes them perfect for house dwelling, provided their other needs are met. Perhaps most importantly, adequate root exposure. I potted mine in a fast draining cactus soil mix but I’ve read they can also be grown in orchid mixes. Both mediums allow air to circulate around the roots.
Knowing where a plant comes from helped me figure out how to make it feel more welcome and willing to do its thing. As my Christmas cactus throws out more buds and others begin to open, I’m hungry for more. Yellow would be nice. Or maybe white.
Do you grow any of the holiday cacti?
Looking for more holiday houseplants? Check out my post on poinsettias.
Yes but what can I do to stop it from loosing all the tiny buds???help!
Hello! Try the humidity tray I describe in the post or, if you have a humidifier, that helps too. Buds often drop from lack of moisture in the air or a sudden change in humidity which happens when temps drop and the furnace kicks in. Locate it in bright but indirect light too and don’t be too generous with watering. Good luck!
I put mine near a window that has control lighting. I water it at least once every 3 to 4 weeks. It’s blooming now. I wish I could show you.
I bet it’s gorgeous!
Hi! Did you replant right away? I got one from the hardware store here and the roots are growing out of it but I read not to plant when it’s in bloom.. so I wasn’t sure!
Hi Jessica! I didn’t replant but instead waited until flowering ended.
I started a MOTHER OF THOUSANDS, from babies that was sent to me, they took off real good and was growing good when the pot was outside on my porch, but when I brought it in around the end of September it still did good until now and they got droopy, and looked bad, and now I’m not gonna water the pot again until it gets completely dry and start over,,,,,,but I took the bad ones out hoping to let them lay on some dirt, I’ve got to get. some cactus mix before I can repot them…….
BUT WHAT DID I DO WRONG.
Hi Karen! I’m sorry to hear your Mother of Thousands is struggling. I have one too and I find that with all my houseplants, neglect is the best answer. Mine spent the summer on the patio and like you I brought her indoors in early October. I water her very little, possibly once every two weeks, but it varies. I don’t water unless she’s nearly bone dry. I put her in my south-facing windows where she gets a good dose of sun and just noticed that she’s got a flower bud. It’ll be the first time she’s flowered and from what I’ve read, it’s not uncommon shortly after the plant’s been brought indoors for winter.
https://savvygardening.com/mother-of-thousands-plant/
Check out this link which basically is a care guide for Mother of Thousands from a very reliable source. Good luck with your plant and thanks for reaching out! Happy Gardening!
Heather
Gorgeous Christmas cactus… but fell in love with the pot! Where did you get it?
Thank you! I bought it a few years ago from Home Depot. I get more compliments on it!
I was given a large Thanksgiving cactus that was desperately in need of TLC. Droopy and flat leaves with some of the ends turning purple. Knowing nothing about T. Or C. Cactus I went on you tube and got educated! After a month it is now healthy and happy and rewarding me with lots of beautiful blooms on about 3/4 of the plant. While the rest of the plant, about 1/4 has not budded or bloomed even though it now looks very healthy. I’m at a loss to know why.
Hi Fran! That’s wonderful and I’m glad your cactus is recovering. The fact that a portion is not budding could be a stress-related issue. But now that you have the care dialed in, I bet it will flower well for you next year. Enjoy your beautiful plant and thanks for reaching out!
Sounds like your plant really appreciated your efforts. Nice job! As for the part that didn’t set buds, I don’t have an answer other than there’s always next year. And now that you have things dialed in, it’ll probably be covered in flowers!