How To Re-bloom Your Christmas Cactus

If you want to bring festive cheer into your home in the middle of winter, why not try re-blooming your Christmas holiday cactus in February? These beautiful flowers are a true joy in any house. 

I took this picture today, Feb. 19, of my Christmas Cactus, which is starting to re-bloom in mid-February. As incredible as it sounds, getting your Christmas cactus to rebloom one or two more times after Christmas is not hard. You need to know the right conditions for reblooming. In this detailed blog post, I will give you all the tips and tricks so you can also trick your houseplant into re-blooming.

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Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding the Blooming Cycle: Christmas cacti are short-day plants that require long dark periods, cool temperatures (55–70°F), and reduced watering during their dormancy period to prepare for re-blooming.
  • Light and Darkness Requirements: These plants need 12–15 hours of complete darkness daily during their dormancy phase to trigger blooms. Artificial light at night can disrupt this process; use a box or cover if necessary.
  • Temperature and Humidity: Ideal conditions include temperatures between 60–70°F and humidity levels around 50%. Avoid temperature fluctuations and dry environments to encourage blooming.
  • Watering and Fertilizing: Water sparingly during dormancy, letting the soil dry out slightly. Fertilize sparingly in fall and winter, then increase slightly during active growth in spring and summer.
  • Pruning and Repotting: Prune after blooming to encourage bushy growth. Repot every 2–3 years in a well-draining mix, ensuring the pot isn’t too large to prevent waterlogging. Broken stems can propagate new plants.
  • Troubleshooting: Address common issues like insufficient light, extreme temperatures, overwatering, or overfertilizing to ensure successful re-blooming.

Overview

Bringing your Christmas cactus back to life with a surprise bloom in February is not just possible—it’s a delightful way to brighten the last stretch of winter. This blog dives into the surprisingly simple steps you can take to coax your holiday cactus into a second flowering cycle, even after its festive display has faded. With the right balance of darkness, temperature control, humidity, and light exposure, re-blooming becomes achievable for plant lovers of all levels. The post also shares personal tips, real-life routines, and practical troubleshooting to help your Schlumbergera thrive through the colder months. Whether you live in a cozy rural area with naturally long nights or a city apartment bathed in streetlight, this guide shows you how to replicate the cactus’s native conditions and enjoy vibrant, cascading blooms well past December. Plus, you’ll find extra resources and affiliate picks for the tools and supplies that can make your re-blooming journey even easier.

The beauty of Christmas cacti flowers

Thanks to their vibrant cactus blooms and unique appearance, these colorful flowers are a popular choice for holiday season decoration. These stunning plants, also known as Schlumbergera, are native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil and are prized for their ability to bloom during the winter months. Their cascading branches, adorned with delicate star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white, add a touch of magic to my home during the holiday season.

christmas cactus flour

Understanding the blooming cycle

It’s important to understand its natural blooming cycle to successfully re-bloom your Christmas cactus in February. Christmas cacti are known as short-day plants, meaning they require long dark periods to trigger blooming. Typically, these plants enter a dormancy period after their initial bloom in late fall or early winter. During this time, they need cool temperatures and reduced watering to prepare for their next flowering cycle.

Christmas cactus blooms

Factors that may prevent re-blooming in Christmas cacti

Several factors can prevent your Christmas cactus from blooming again. One common reason is insufficient darkness. If your plant is exposed to artificial light at night or placed in a frequently illuminated room, it may not receive the necessary darkness to initiate blooming. Additionally, improper temperature and humidity levels can also affect blooming. Christmas cacti’s ideal temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and they prefer humidity levels of around 50 percent.

reblooming your christmas cactus

Preparing your Christmas cactus for re-blooming

Providing the ideal conditions to prepare your Christmas cactus for re-blooming is important. Start by placing your plant in a cool, dark location for at least six weeks. This will simulate the natural dormancy period and help trigger blooming. Reduce watering during this time, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Avoid fertilizing your plant during the dormancy period, as this can disrupt the blooming cycle.

After Christmas, I moved my Christmas Cactus into a room with a temperature of 55 degrees F. From December to mid-March, we get 12-15 hours of darkness per day. That’s an important period of darkness for these beautiful plants.

Since I live in rural areas, the darkness at night is perfect as the moon and stars are the only nighttime light. It makes it simple for me to give my Christmas Cactus the light and temperature it needs for reblooming. If you live in an area where it isn’t dark because of various lights at night (streetlights, etc.), the darkness treatment would be to put a large box or hamper over your cactus at night to make sure it’s in total darkness. Make sure not to turn any lights at night as it can disrupt the darkness cycle this flower needs. 

christmas cactus

Providing the right light conditions for your Christmas cactus

After the dormancy period, it’s time to provide your Christmas cactus with the right light levels. Place your plant in a bright location but in indirect sunlight. Indirect or filtered light is ideal for Christmas cacti, as intense sunlight can cause the leaves to burn. Consider placing your plant near a north or east-facing window, where it can receive bright, indirect light throughout the day. Continue to water your plant regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not overly saturated.

christmas cactus blossoms

Temperature and humidity requirements for re-blooming

Temperature and humidity are crucial factors in re-blooming your Christmas cactus plants. As mentioned earlier, these plants prefer temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid exposing your plant to extreme temperature fluctuations or drops in temperature, which can stress the plant and inhibit blooming. Maintaining a humidity level of around 50 percent can help promote healthy growth and blooming. You can increase humidity by placing a water tray near your plant or using a humidifier.

blossoms

Watering and fertilizing tips for re-blooming success

Proper watering and fertilizing are essential for successfully re-blooming your Christmas cactus. During the active growing season, water your plant regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Test the dryness of the soil by poking your finger down into the soil. It should dry at least an inch before you water it again. They water it well and let it dry out again. I water my cactus about once a month after Christmas until they rebloom in February. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. If it helps, you can make a watering schedule.

Regarding fertilizing, I use a balanced fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer. Then, I reduce fertilization during the fall and winter months to allow the plant to enter its dormancy period. I fertilize once in October and once in December. Then, only once between the end of December and the middle of April, water-soluble fertilizer.

Pruning and repotting your Christmas cactus

Pruning and repotting your Christmas cactus can help promote healthy growth and encourage blooming. Pruning should be done immediately after the plant finishes blooming. Trim back any leggy or overgrown branches to encourage bushier growth. Repotting  should be done every two to three years, using a well-draining soil mix. Avoid using too large pots, as this can lead to waterlogged soil and root rot. Instead, choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the root ball. If a piece of my cactus breaks off when I repot it, I stick the broken end of that piece into the soil next to the repotted plant. It will usually take root and grow another cactus plant. My Christmas cactus pots have multiple plants that I propagated this way. 

reblooming christmas cactus

Troubleshooting common issues with re-blooming

If your Christmas cactus fails to re-bloom, there may be underlying issues that need to be addressed. One common problem is improper light conditions. Ensure that your plant is receiving enough bright, indirect light, and avoid exposing it to direct sunlight. Another potential issue is improper temperature and humidity levels. Check that the temperature is within the recommended range, and consider using a humidifier to increase humidity if necessary. Finally, make sure you are not overwatering or overfertilizing your plant, as this can prevent blooming.

Final Thoughts: Enjoying the vibrant blooms of your re-bloomed Christmas cactus in February!

With the right care and attention, you can revive the magic of the holidays by re-blooming your Christmas cactus in February. Understanding the blooming cycle, providing the right light, temperature, and humidity conditions, and following proper watering and fertilizing practices are key to success. Don’t forget to prune and repot your plant as needed to promote healthy growth. By troubleshooting any issues that arise and giving your Christmas cactus the care it deserves, you can look forward to enjoying the vibrant blooms of this beautiful plant in the middle of winter. So, get started and bring the magic back to your home with a re-bloomed Christmas cactus!

If you aren’t successful, it won’t be long until spring, when you’ll be planting your vegetable seeds, putting in your peas, and planting your spring Dahlia tubers. Also don’t miss my 7 Reasons Why You Should Start Growing Your Own Food article or 10 Easy to Grow Houseplants for better NeuroHealth

FAQ:

Q: How long does the dormancy period for a Christmas cactus last?
A: The dormancy period typically lasts about 6 weeks, during which the plant should be kept in cool temperatures and darkness for 12–15 hours daily.

Q: What’s the best light exposure for a Christmas cactus after dormancy?
A: Bright, indirect sunlight is ideal. A north- or east-facing window works well to avoid leaf burning from intense light.

Q: How often should I water my Christmas cactus during dormancy?
A: Water sparingly—about once a month—allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent overwatering.

Q: Can I propagate my Christmas cactus?
A: Yes! If a branch breaks, plant the broken end into the soil. It will often root and grow into a new plant.

Q: Why isn’t my Christmas cactus blooming again?
A: Common reasons include insufficient darkness, improper temperature, low humidity, or overwatering. Ensure all care conditions are met.

Q: When should I repot my Christmas cactus?
A: Repot every 2–3 years using a well-draining soil mix, and avoid pots that are too large to prevent waterlogging.

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