Learn How to Feed Your Christmas Cactus by following the regimen of commercial growers for the best blooms this season!
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful plant known for its rich, festive blooms during the holiday season. Many people fail to realize this, but proper fertilization is key to keeping yours healthy and producing plenty of flowers. Here’s How to Feed Your Christmas Cactus commercial growers the right way.
Christmas Cactus Fertilizer Needs
Christmas cacti go through three main phases–active growth (spring to early summer), dormancy (late summer to early fall), and flowering (late fall to winter). Each phase requires different care, including changes in the fertilizer regimen, so knowing their duration and the plant’s response helps.
During active growth, the plant produces new segments and builds strength. In dormancy, it rests and prepares for blooming, and when flowering, it focuses its energy on producing flowers. But before seeing how much to feed, you must choose the right fertilizer.
Commercial growers typically use balanced, water-soluble fertilizers, such as 20-20-20, which contains equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen supports leafy segment growth, phosphorus promotes root development and flower production, and potassium improves plant health and stress tolerance.
If you prefer those, choose a slow-release one that’s labeled for houseplants. Still, we recommend using a potent fertilizer you can make yourself for your plant.
Feeding the Christmas Cactus According to Growth Phases
1. Active Growth Feeding from March to July
During active growth, use a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 at half strength every 2-4 weeks. Just water the plant with the diluted fertilizer after the soil has slightly dried out.
Christmas cacti also need a little extra magnesium for proper growth, so give them a bit of Epsom salt once a month, but not during the same week as the other fertilizer. Just mix a teaspoon (5 ml) of Epsom salt into a gallon of water to make it.
2. Feeding Regimen in Dormancy from August to October
During dormancy, switch to a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen level and higher phosphorus content, such as 5-10-10 or 10-15-10. Fertilize once a month at half strength, too, but reduce the watering frequency from the middle of September.
Allow the soil to dry more between waterings to imitate natural rest conditions. This phase will help the plant develop potent buds for flowering. Continue doing this for about 8 weeks.
3. Fertilization During Flowering From November to February
In the flowering phase, stop fertilizing entirely. Excess nutrients can divert energy from flower production to foliage growth, which will reduce the number or quality of blooms. Instead, focus on keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
After blooming ends, you can resume a light feeding schedule with a balanced fertilizer to maintain plant health.
Pro Tip: Sometimes, your Christmas cactus may benefit from a very dilute application of a bloom-boosting fertilizer during early flowering, but this should be done cautiously.
Additional Tips to Consider
- Avoid overfeeding, as excess fertilizer can harm the roots and lead to poor flowering.
- Use distilled or filtered water to prevent salt buildup, which can occur with tap water or overly concentrated fertilizer.
- Monitor light and temperature; proper feeding works best when combined with bright, indirect light and stable temperatures of 65-75 F.
- Flush the soil periodically every 4-6 weeks by watering thoroughly with plain water to remove any accumulated salts.
