No blooms on your Christmas Cactus? Perhaps it’s a sign that it desperately Needs More Humidity—let’s investigate!
Schlumbergeras are known for their pink and red blooms that emerge during the holiday season. But if your Christmas Cactus is holding back on its prized blossoms, it’s likely a sign that this tropical succulent is begging for more humidity!
Do Christmas Cacti Like High Humidity?
Originating in Brazilian rainforests as an epiphyte, this winter-blooming plant loves humidity! Christmas cactus is a warmth-loving short-day plant that grows rapidly and spreads over two feet in just a couple of years in the right conditions!
During the peak growth season between April and September, the plant prefers warmth of 70-80 F (21-26 C) with nighttime temperatures above 55-60 F (12-15 C). It also needs about 50-60% humidity, without which the plant stresses and doesn’t bloom prolifically.
Signs Your Christmas Cactus Needs More Humidity
1. Bud Drop
To produce buds, Christmas cactus needs over 12 hours of darkness daily alongside cooler temperatures. But despite fulfilling its photoperiod needs, if buds drop, it’s a sign that your Christmas cactus needs more humidity.
And this is common during winter when indoor air becomes dry or the plant is placed near air vents and exposed to sudden cold or hot drafts. Here are a few simple tricks to boost humidity indoors.
2. Wilting Flowers
Wilting and dropping flowers is another sign that your Christmas cactus needs more humidity. However, if the blooms are covered in mold, it shows there’s way too much moisture in the air. Here’s how to maintain the right levels and nurse it back to health.
First, examine the surroundings. Have you placed your plant near a heat vent or a furnace? Placing it in a spot that experiences fluctuations is a critical factor in flower drops. Then, simply move it someplace steadier, such as an east-facing window with dappled sunshine, slightly away from the radiator.
3. Leaves Turning Brown and Crispy
Another sign that your holiday cactus needs cozier lodgings is browning, crispy-edged leaves. These things point to the air being too dry around your Christmas cactus. Follow the steps below to ensure your plant gets the humidity it needs.
How To Provide Your Christmas Cactus More Humidity?
Giving your plant the proper humidity to thrive is more straightforward than diagnosing the issue. Here’s what you do.
- Fill a shallow dish halfway with pebbles and pour water over it. Place the plant container over this dish so that its bottom touches only the pebbles, not the water. Slow evaporation will increase humidity around the plant.
- Another measure is to fill a bowl with water and keep it beside your Schlumbergera.
- You could also occasionally mist your Christmas cactus with a spray bottle of water. However, be careful not to overdo it, as it will leave water spots on the leaves.
- Now, for a more serious approach, invest in a humidifier to maintain optimum humidity levels near your Christmas cactus.
While these signs are easy to miss when you don’t know what to look for, this article is a great starting point to get your Christmas cactus back in form. And into the holidays, your succulent will undoubtedly reward you with its lovely blooms for your attention and care!
