The Christmas cactus, sometimes also called the Easter cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii), is a beautiful winter-blooming houseplant that adds a splash of color to almost any indoor environment.

This well-known plant is not only easy to care for, but it can also be propagated quite easily and, by following a few simple tricks, encouraged to bloom repeatedly.

Christmas cactus can be propagated by cutting off a small Y-shaped segment from the tips of the stems. The cutting should always be taken from a healthy part of the plant.

Plant the cutting by inserting about one-quarter of its length into slightly sandy soil. Keep the soil evenly moist and place the cutting in a bright location away from direct sunlight.

To encourage roots to develop on the new plants, cut the shoots from the tips down to the second segment of each stem. The cutting should begin to show signs of growth after a few weeks, at which point it can be transferred to another pot containing a mixture of soil, compost, and sand.

How to Care for a Christmas Cactus to Encourage Blooming

 

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