Find out how and when to move your Christmas cactus outdoors successfully for the summer.
Key Takeaways
- Moving your Christmas cactus outdoors during summer provides brighter light, consistent warmth, and higher humidity that can boost flower bud development.
- Transition your Christmas cactus gradually to outdoor conditions to avoid damaging the leaves, and water and fertilize regularly.
- Bring your Christmas cactus back indoors when nighttime temperatures drop below 60°F, and inspect it for pests like mealybugs.
Moving your Christmas cactus outdoors for the summer is an effective way to boost blooming later in the year. Exposing this houseplant to the higher humidity, warmer temperatures, and brighter light of the outdoors supports strong healthy growth and encourages more flower buds to set. Use the following must-know tips to successfully move your Christmas cactus outside for the summer and
transition it back indoors
in the fall.
Related:
How to Tell Thanksgiving Cactus from Christmas Cactus
1. Wait for Warmth
A Christmas cactus is
winter hardy in USDA Zones 10-12
. In colder zones, a Christmas cactus can be damaged or killed by freezing winter temperatures. So if you want to move your plant outdoors, make sure to move it outdoors after your area’s nighttime temperatures are at least 60°F.
2. Stay Away from Extreme Heat and Direct Sunlight
Prolonged exposure to extreme heat and direct sunlight can harm Christmas cacti. Therefore, if you intend to leave your Christmas cactus outdoors over the summer, position the plant in a spot with temperatures generally between 70-85°F. This tropical species needs such conditions.
bright, indirect light
throughout the day to encourage flowering. Position your plant in
Direct sunlight may lead to burning of the plant’s leaves.
or change to a reddish-purple hue.
3. Acclimate Plants to Outdoor Temperatures
A Christmas cactus can flourish outdoors during the summer when provided with bright, indirect sunlight and enhanced air circulation. Nonetheless, it’s advisable to acclimate it gradually.
transition the plant to outdoor conditions
. Start by setting the plant outside for an hour on the first day and gradually increase the time spent outdoors each following day.
4. Repot in Spring
It is best to
repot your Christmas cactus
every three or four years to promote healthy, steady growth of new stems and regular flowering. If you noticed fewer flowers this winter or the flower buds dropped off prematurely, plan to
replant your Christmas cactus in early spring
to leverage the plant’s inherent growth cycle. By cultivating your plant during this phase, you can optimize its development.
well-drained soil
Composed of one portion potting soil, two portions peat moss or compost, and one portion sand or perlite, this mixture will retain moisture effectively while also allowing for proper drainage of excess water.
prevent root rot
.
Related:
The 7 Top-Rated Potting Soils
5. Select the Optimal Pot
The Christmas cactus flourishes in a small pot, hanging basket, or mounted planter where it can spill over the edges. It should be moved inside when the temperature drops.
repotting your plant
, increase the size of its container by just a couple of inches in diameter so the root mass can expand to support new growth while allowing for the plant’s natural preference for growing in small places.
6. Water Based on the Current Season
How frequently should one water a Christmas cactus?
It depends on the time of year. During spring and summer, when this plant is actively growing, ensure it gets plenty of water whenever the top layer of soil appears dry. To prevent overwatering, let the soil become somewhat dry between each watering session. As autumn approaches, increase the frequency of watering to ready the Christmas cactus for blooming season; however, continue to moisten the plant solely when the soil’s surface seems dry upon touching.
7. Use a Weak Fertilizer in Late Winter
You’ll recognize when it’s time to
fertilize your Christmas cactus
When you notice fresh growth appearing at the branch ends during early spring. Given that the plant possesses delicate, superficial roots which can be harmed by potent fertilizers, use a diluted quarter-strength mix of liquid plant food or choose an organic fertilizer and administer it once every month up until early autumn.
Related:
The 9 Top Fertilizers for Indoor Plants, Evaluated by BHG
8. Check for Mealybugs
Check your Christmas cactus regularly for mealybugs to ensure they aren’t infesting your plant. These tiny pests appear as small, white, cotton-like blobs and typically gather in groups under the leaves and at the junctions of stems.
Plants infested with mealybugs
often get weaker and show curled, shrunken foliage.
Should you discover mealybugs on your Christmas cactus, address this issue by placing a cover over the soil in the pot to avoid excess watering. Next, rinse away these pests using a forceful spray of water. If the problem persists despite these measures, consider employing organic treatments such as insecticidal soap or neem oil for more persistent cases.
9. Transfer Plants Inside Before Frosty Conditions
A Christmas cactus is unable to tolerate freezing conditions. If nightly temperatures drop beneath 60°F, move the Christmas cactus inside again.
protect it from frost
. Give your plant
bright, indirect light
, or shaded light by positioning it near a west-, north-, or east-facing window. Keep the plant away from the direct sunlight of a south-facing window as intense light might lead to sunburn damage.
Frequently asked Questions
What causes a Christmas cactus to flower during the winter season?
In nature, the plant’s buds develop as daylight hours decrease during autumn.
The Christmas cactus gets around 12 hours of darkness each day.
After relocating your plant inside, put it in a dimly lit space or cover it to ensure it gets no longer than 12 hours of light over the eight-week period leading up to Christmas, allowing it to flower for the festive season.
Is Christmas cactus really a cactus?
Chrismas cactus is not a true cactus and is not as drought-tolerant as true cacti. However, it is a succulent that holds a large amount of water in its leaves.
What is the lifespan of a Christmas cactus?
A Christmas cactus has the potential to survive for around three decades. Under optimal circumstances, its lifespan could extend further still.
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Better Homes & Gardens
