Believe it or not, with just a little extra attention, you can actually get your Christmas cactus (or even your Thanksgiving cactus) to bloom for a second time!
During the cold winter months, few indoor plants are capable of producing bright, colorful flowers – that is except for the poinsettia plant – and the Christmas & Thanksgiving cactus. Poinsettias certainly deliver vibrant color during the holidays, but once their flowers fade, they require pruning and time to regrow before blooming again.
Unfortunately, this process can take a while. In fact, so long that they won’t bloom again until the following season. But the beloved holiday cacti are different when it comes to flowering again. And with just a few simple secrets, you can actually enjoy these gorgeous plants bringing beauty and blooms to your home a second time – well after the holiday season has passed!
The Secret To Getting A Christmas Cactus To Bloom A Second Time
The lush, trailing green foliage of holiday cacti are still attractive even without flowers. But without a doubt, what really makes these plants special are the brilliant blooms they produce in shades of red, pink, white, orange, and purple.
One thing is for sure, the possibility of a second bloom makes these plants even more exciting to grow once the holidays are over. But to do that, you first need to know what makes holiday cacti set their blooms in the first place.
When you first purchase a Christmas cactus, it likely already has buds forming on its stems. Nurseries prepare the plants to bloom by manipulating light and temperature. About 10 weeks before the holiday season, growers place the plants in a cool environment. One with temperatures between 50°F and 55°F.
The plants are also kept in complete darkness for at least 14 hours each day. Around two weeks before the plants are ready to bloom, they are then moved to warmer conditions. At this point, flower buds begin to form on the tips of the stems.
Within a few weeks, the flowers open just in time for the holidays. The first bloom period typically lasts four to six weeks – or just about near or to the end of the holiday season.
The Simple Steps To Get A Christmas Cactus To Bloom A Second Time
So what is the big secret to get a second bloom from your cactus? To simply replicate and repeat the same steps the growers took to force the first bloom!
With that in mind, the first thing to do is to allow the plant to completely finish its blooms. Do not rush or try to remove the blooms as they first fade. Instead, allow all the flowers to fade and drop naturally. This allows the plant a little short resting period. Once that is done, it’s time to move your cacti to a cool, dark location.
Place the cactus in a cool area where the temperature stays between 50°F and 55°F. To do this, a basement, garage or a cool spare room will work best. The biggest tip here is to not allow the plant to get its soil warmer than 60°F.
At this point, you will need to keep the plant in complete darkness for at least 14 hours each day. For the remaining 8 to 10 hours, you can bring the plant into light, but it needs to be indirect light.
Direct light from a window will actually cause the plant to not form more blooms. It not only warms the plant and the soil, but also tricks it into thinking warmer weather is coming. And when that happens – it won’t form new blooms.
Other than that – all you need to do is water the plant as you normally would. Do not over water as holiday cacti do not do well with excess moisture. In fact, if it is too moist, it will rot the roots, injuring or even killing the plant in the process.
Wait For The Buds – Getting A Christmas Cactus To Bloom A Second Time
Now all that is left is to wait for those new blooms to form! If the conditions are right (low light and cool temperatures), after about four to six weeks, you should see small buds forming on the tips of the stems. Once you see the buds appear, it’s time to move it back to a warmer area with bright, indirect sunlight.
It will take about two to three weeks for the second set of buds to flower. The second blooming cycle, although beautiful, will not be as prolific as the first. This is because the plant has already used a significant amount of its energy producing the initial set of flowers.
Cactus Care After The Second Bloom – Getting A Christmas Cactus To Bloom A Second Time
You will only be able to force a second bloom – and not a third. Your holiday cactus at this point will need time to rest and recover. Attempting a third blooming cycle will cause way too much stress for the plant, potentially harming its long-term health.
Once out of its second bloom, feed the plant with an all-purpose indoor plant fertilizer. Avoid using fertilizers meant for succulents or cacti since holiday cacti are tropical plants. Affiliate Link: Christmas Cactus Fertilizer for All Christmas Cacti
Continue to feed your plants once a month all the way through spring and summer. You will want to stop fertilizing once late fall arrives. This will give your plants plenty of time to begin to prepare for another big flowering. Over-fertilizing late in the season actually can prevent blooms.
Continue to water the plant regularly, but avoid overwatering. Wait until the top third of the soil feels dry before watering. Always be sure to let excess water drain from the pot. Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti thrive in humid environments. If your home is dry, consider placing the plant near a humidifier or on a tray filled with water and pebbles.
As for where to keep the plant – simply continue to allow it to get bright, indirect light. If the leaves start turning reddish-purple, it’s a sign the plant is receiving too much direct sunlight. In the spring and summer, you can place your cactus outdoors in a shady spot.
Always remember to bring it back inside when temperatures drop below 50°F to avoid damaging the plant’s tender roots and foliage.
The Differences Between The Holiday Cacti Family – Getting A Christmas Cactus To Bloom A Second Time
Both the Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti are capable of blooming twice a year. Unlike the Easter cactus, which produces only one set of flowers annually, both plants can reward you with a second flush of blooms if you follow the right steps. Not sure what type of cactus you have? Here is a quick guide to help:
Christmas Cactus
- These plants bloom near the Christmas holiday.
- Their leaves are tear-drop shaped with scalloped edges.
- Christmas cactus flowers look similar to those of the Thanksgiving cactus, which is why they are often mistaken for one another.
Thanksgiving Cactus
- These plants bloom in late fall, around Thanksgiving.
- The leaves have sharp, pointed edges that resemble claws.
- Their blooms are tubular in shape.
Easter Cactus
- This cactus is the least common of the three.
- It blooms in the early spring.
- The leaves are smooth and rounded, and the flowers have a starburst shape with pointed tips.
- Easter cacti bloom only once per year, no matter how much care they receive.
For more on the differences between the holiday cacti family, check out our article: How To Tell If You Have A Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus – Or Easter Cactus
Here is to getting a second bloom from your Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus this year!
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