Easter Cactus Care
Easter cacti are fairly easy to keep as houseplants.
Indirect sunlight is best to help this plant thrive.
The plant thrives in a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5.
The Easter cactus does not tolerate having its roots waterlogged, so ensure the pot has proper drainage.
Do not let any water sit in the saucer after watering.
Cut back on watering from late fall to early winter to help encourage blooming.
They require cold temperatures to bloom.
The Easter cactus will bloom in nighttime temperatures between 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
While Easter cacti enjoy humid environments, they tolerate typical household humidity levels.
However, if your home is especially dry, provide extra humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray.
Fertilizer
Easter cacti appreciate regular fertilization.
Apply a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10, once a month when the plant is actively growing.
However, the Easter cactus has sometimes been classified asHatiora gaertneriorSchlumbergera gaertneri.
Don’t wait to prune an Easter cactus in the fall or winter.
To prune, focus on breaking off the top leaf pad from the stem at the joint.
Use your fingers or sterilized garden scissors.
If you create an uneven break, be sure to trim that off.
Pruning will encourage the growth of new stems for a bushier plant with more blooms.
Propagating Easter Cactus
you’ve got the option to grow Easter cactus from seeds or cuttings.
It’s more popular and much easier to propagate Easter cactus with cuttings.
Propagating is best done two to three months after the blooming period.
Clay pots are best to help with aeration and drainage.
Repotting is best done in the spring after the blooming period.
Bloom Months
Easter cactus flowers bloom between March and May.
How Long Does Easter Cactus Bloom?
Easter cactus plants can produce prolific blooms for two to four weeks in spring.
What Do Easter Cactus Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Easter cactus flowers are prized for their stunning, star-like, profuse blooms when grown in the right conditions.
The warmth will speed up the start of the blooming period.
These stress conditions will encourage prolific blooming in early spring next year.
Dropping Leaves
Your cactus may look like it’s falling apart if the pads fall off.
The cause may be that the plant is stressed from overwatering or underwatering.
you might always root the pads that fall off in potting soil for new plants.
Leaves Turning Yellow
Your cactus may need to be repotted.
When the leaves turn yellow, the plant may be in soil that cannot properly drain.
Check for root rot and repot.
The namesEaster cactus and Christmas cactusare sometimes used interchangeably.
This should be about every two to three weeks.
Cooler temperatures after a period of warmth spur Easter cactus flowering.
Leave the plant outside in the fall as the temperatures hover below 60F or near a cool window.
Cool night temperatures trigger flowering buds to set.
Place your Easter cactus in a location that receives bright,indirect sunlight.
