How to Successfully Multiply a Christmas Cactus at Home

One of the joys of having houseplants is the chance to grow more from your current collection, and rooted cuttings of your favorite plants can make wonderful gifts. Though propagation may seem daunting, it's surprisingly simple, especially with the Christmas cactus. This hardy, winter-blooming beauty is easy to propagate without needing any botanical expertise—this holiday season, you can share a little bit of your home with loved ones.

Features 

Unlike many cacti that thrive in dry, desert environments, the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) hails from the humid, shaded regions of southeastern Brazil. As an epiphytic and epilithic plant, it grows on trees and rocks instead of in the soil. With leaf-like pads that connect and cascade down, the Christmas cactus stands out with its vibrant holiday blooms at the tips of its branches, earning its place alongside pine trees and poinsettias as a beloved holiday plant. There are actually three types of plants categorized as Christmas cacti, including the Easter cactus and Thanksgiving cactus, but all are commonly referred to as Christmas cacti for simplicity.

Care Instructions 

The Sill, a plant retailer, advises that Christmas cacti should be watered every 1-2 weeks, allowing the potting soil to dry out at least halfway before rewatering. These plants thrive in bright to medium indirect light but should be protected from intense direct sunlight. For an extra boost in winter blooms, The Sill recommends providing extended periods of lower light during the fall. To promote healthy growth, higher humidity during the colder months is beneficial, so consider placing a humidifier near your plant.

Although not native to desert environments, the Farmer’s Almanac suggests using a potting mix designed for succulents when potting your Christmas cactus. These potting soils are typically a blend of standard soil, coarse sand, and pumice or perlite, ensuring excellent drainage and preventing overwatering.

Propagation Tips 

There are two simple and effective methods for propagating your Christmas cactus cutting: direct planting and water propagation. The direct planting method involves inserting the cutting directly into potting soil to allow it to root, while water propagation lets you observe the roots grow in real time. Gardening expert Melissa J. Will, the blogger behind “The Empress of Dirt,” shares that propagating Christmas cacti from cuttings is one of the easiest and most straightforward ways to multiply your plant.

For the best results, Will advises against taking cuttings when the plant is in bloom or budding. Slightly warmer temperatures (71-81°F) will speed up the rooting process. You can place multiple cuttings in a pot, just leaving about an inch of space between them. Here’s the step-by-step guide:

1. Pinch off a section from your Christmas cactus at a joint (between two leaf segments) instead of cutting it. Gently twist until it breaks off, which results in a clean cut—avoid snapping the segment in the middle. Will suggests taking 1-4 segments per cutting, as more could cause the cutting to topple in the pot or water vessel.
2. For direct planting, place your cutting halfway into moist potting soil, covering the first or second segment. Keep the soil moist while the roots form.
3. For water propagation, place the cutting in a small jar, vase, or glass (Will recommends using a baby food jar) with the bottom inch submerged in water. Add small rocks to help stabilize the cutting. Once the roots reach about an inch in length, it’s ready to be planted in soil.