How to grow and care for Christmas cactus, one of the most popular winter plants, so it can continue to thrive after the holiday season.
During the upcoming holiday season, you may receive a Christmas cactus as a gift. You will have to take care of it so that it can survive without problems and keep you company for a long time with its beautiful and colorful flowers, which can brighten up any room.
First of all, you should know that the ChrisAtmas cactus is a plant species native to Brazil, botanically called Schlumbergera and belonging to the Cactaceae family, which usually grows in tropical forests. It is a plant that prefers shade and humidity. For this reason, the interior environment of our homes in winter, with the heating on, becomes an ideal climate for lush growth.
1. When does the Christmas cactus bloom?
The Cacraceae can have different flowering periods, but what characterizes the Christmas cactus is the fact that its flowers bloom just as the end of year holidays approach, hence the name of this wild plant from Brazil and other parts of Latin America which was imported to Europe as a houseplant.
You can admire the flowers of the Christmas cactus between December and January. Their colors can range from pink to red and purple to red-purple. So that the flower buds do not wither before they bloom, the Christmas cactus must be carefully kept away from drafts and heat sources. The Christmas cactus should therefore not be placed near a frequently opened door or too close to a fireplace, stove or radiator.
2. Where to place it?
The ideal temperature for the indoor Christmas cactus is 20°C. To prolong the flowering of the cactus during the winter period, you should place it in a bright room. Later in summer, the Christmas cactus can be placed outdoors in a partially shaded position so that excessive exposure to direct sunlight does not result in burning of the leaves. In autumn, from the beginning of September, the plant can be moved indoors. The reduction in daylight hours and its exposure to the sun mean that its flowering can be delayed until the Christmas period.
One of the perfect locations to keep the Christmas cactus in your home during December and January is the interior window sill, so that the flowers can take advantage of daylight to flourish during the winter.
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