Despite being a low-maintenance flowering houseplant, the Christmas cactus can face plenty of problems. The most common of these issues include everything from a lack of blooms to root
rot and limp and wilting leaves.
But identifying these issues is one thing, treating them is another. Consequently, we’ve chatted with gardening and houseplant experts to find out not only what common issues ale this indoor cactus but also how to best treat them to keep your Christmas cactus blooming and beautiful all winter long.
Meet the Expert
- Petar Ivanov is a gardening expert at Fantastic Gardeners, a UK-based company of experts helping people with house maintenance matters.
- Melvin Cubian is a certified botanist at the PlantIn app.
Drooping or Limp Leaves
One of the most common Christmas cacti problems is unsightly limp leaves.
“These are often due to improper watering, either over or under, or sudden changes in light or temperature,” Petar Ivanov, a gardening expert at Fantastic Gardeners, says.
Solution
To fix this problem, check the soil. If it’s dry, water your Christmas cacti thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain. But remember, your cactus is still a desert plant, so you don’t want to overwater it. If the soil is wet, hold off on watering and place the plant in indirect light, Ivanov says. Next, avoid drafts or abrupt changes in temperature to perk up the plant’s leaves once more.
Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more!
Root Rot
This common problem is triggered by overwatering or poor drainage. Both render the plant’s roots too wet, and subsequently, root rot will set in.
Solution
This fix is easier than you think: Identify and treat rotting roots. Ivanov recommends removing the plant, trimming any brown or mushy roots, and repotting it in fresh, well-draining cactus soil. Return to watering your cacti only when the top inch of soil has become completely dry.
Yellowing Leaves
If your Christmas cacti’s leaves are turning yellow, it may be from nutrient deficiency. This is typically due to poor soil quality or lack of feeding, Ivanov explains.
Solution
Remedy this common Christmas cacti problem by feeding your cacti a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season—spring and summer—Ivanov explains. You’ll also want to make sure the cactus is potted in cactus-specific soil and avoid overwatering to allow the leaves to grow back a beautiful green hue.
Flower Bud Drop
Unfortunately, this can result from multiple causes.
“Sudden temperature shifts, low humidity, or moving the plant after buds have formed are some of the causes,” Ivanov says.
Solution
But the good news is there’s a simple fix. Ivanov suggests keeping the cactus in a stable, warm environment with moderate humidity, and avoiding relocation once buds appear. Moving the plant when it’s budding can shock the plant, which will trigger it to drop its buds. Water your plant consistently but lightly once buds return.
Wilting or Droopy Stems
Your cacti’s stems may droop or wilt from overwatering, underwatering, or poor drainage.
“These problems can lead to a lack of turgidity of the stems, making them bend down,” Melvin Cubian, a certified botanist at the PlantIn app, says.
Solution
Adjust your houseplant watering routine by watering your cacti more frequently if the soil dries up
faster on warm days and less during cold periods, Cubian says. If you feel like the plant has become overwatered while increasing your watering routine, allow the soil to dry partially before watering again.
Next, apply systemic fungicides, like thiophanate methyl, to prevent fungus growth, Cubian explains. And pick a pot that has drainage holes to ensure proper drainage.
Leaf Discolorations
Christmas cacti leaves don’t just turn yellow—they can become purplish or reddish as well. These color changes happen when the plant sits in too much direct sunlight or has a nutrient deficiency or the wrong level of soil acidity.
Solution
Change your plant’s lighting and soil. If your cacti are getting direct sunshine, Cubian recommends moving them to a spot with dappled lighting or placing a shade net, burlap, or white cloth over them. Then, you want to think about the soil. If the plant is potted in old soil, consider refreshing it, and replacing the soil with a cactus-specific mixture.
“Lastly, apply a water-soluble fertilizer designed for cactus plants—usually containing complete nutrients but with less concentrations—every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season,” Cubian says.
Lack of Blooms
Is your cactus not flowering? There’s a simple reason why: the room’s light and temperatures are off. A Christmas cactus needs sufficient darkness and cooler temperatures at night for it to bloom. Remember, this plant flowers in winter for a reason.
Solution
Move the cactus to a darker room, or you can cover it with a box for 12 to 14 hours. Keep the room’s temperatures between 50 and 55°F to encourage flowering.
“Then return your cacti to their usual spot and light setting once buds appear,” Cubian says.
This is also a great time to supplement with fertilizers and ensure other conditions are perfect to prevent bud drop, he adds.
FAQ
-
You’ll want to look for mushy, soft, or translucent leaves, a musty smell from the soil, and possibly root rot with blackened or soft roots. All are signs that your plant is being overwatered.
-
Watering Christmas cacti is best done by “feel,” Cubian explains. This is because a rigid weekly schedule won’t work when summer temperatures, humidity, and lighting may hasten or delay the soil from drying.
Touch your plant’s soil to make sure it’s dry before you water it. When it’s spring or summer, you can water your Christmas cactus as often as 1 to 2 weeks, when the soil dries up faster. In colder months, water your plant less frequently.
-
Yes, but in moderation.
“Studies show that it can improve the soil pH and add nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus,” Cubian explains.
All this can help keep the soil’s microbes healthy, which in turn, improves the soil and your plant’s health.
