How to care for an Easter cactus so it blooms all spring
As the weather warms up, plant lovers everywhere get excited for their spring flowers to burst into bloom. If you don't have a garden or patio, or no space on the balcony, growing flowering plants can be tricky. Luckily, there's a houseplant that thrives indoors and gives you plenty of spring colour: the Easter cactus.
Like its cousin, the Christmas cactus, the Easter cactus is a member of the genus Schlumbergera that flowers around the holiday it's named for. Between March and May, Easter cacti produce stunning hot pink or white star-like blossoms that last for weeks. Give it the right care, and those flowers will keep coming back year after year. Read on for a complete guide to the Easter cactus.
How to care for an Easter cactus
Growing and caring for an Easter cactus is actually pretty easy, as it can tolerate some shade and make do with infrequent watering.
Sunlight
An Easter cactus loves indirect sunlight. We recommend placing this plant in a room that gets ample sun throughout the day. Just keep it away from the windows since too much direct sunlight can scorch its leaves.
Water
The Easter cactus is especially prone to getting waterlogged and developing root rot, so let the soil dry out almost completely between waterings. When the soil feels dry to the touch, water it thoroughly until the water drains from the bottom.
Soil
A well-draining, succulent-specific potting mix is best for an Easter cactus because it helps with moisture control. If you have a standard potting mix at home, put some drainage rocks in the bottom of your container or add some perlite to the mix before you pot your plant.
Temperature and humidity
Unlike many other types of cactus plants, the Easter cactus thrives in cooler temperatures. It needs nights that dip to between 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare to bloom. Humid conditions are ideal, and standard household humidity levels are usually sufficient. If your home is especially dry, try using a humidifier, mister, or pebble tray to give your Easter cactus a humidity boost.
How often does an Easter cactus bloom?
The Easter cactus is a perennial flowering houseplant, so when it's healthy, it'll bloom every year, typically between the months of March and May, right around the Easter holiday. Once the flowers appear, you can expect them to last from about two to four weeks.
How to propagate an Easter cactus
Propagating an Easter cactus is surprisingly easy. Just pinch off a stem segment, let it dry out for a few days, and then place the cut end into a planter filled with potting mix (preferably a succulent-specific mix) and water thoroughly. Within a few weeks, new leaf segments should start to appear.
What's the difference between an Easter cactus and a Christmas cactus?
The main difference between an Easter cactus and other holiday cacti, like the Christmas variety, is its blooming period. Easter cacti bloom in the spring, often between March and May, around Easter. As the name suggests, Christmas cacti bloom in December, around Christmastime.
Easter cactus FAQs
Is an Easter cactus easy to care for?
Yes, Easter cacti are super easy to care for and great for plant beginners. All you have to do is give your plant bright, indirect sunlight during the day and water it only when the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch. Just be wary of watering it too often or letting it sit in standing water.
Why isn't my Easter cactus blooming?
It's probably because of the temperature. Easter cacti need cool nights to trigger their flowering buds to set. Try putting your plant outside or near a cool window about two months before blooming season, while the nighttime temperature is hovering between 55 and 60 degrees. Then, as the weather warms up a bit more, move it to a spot that gets plenty of indirect sunlight to encourage flowering.
How long does an Easter cactus live?
With the proper care, an Easter cactus can live up to 10 years and will bloom annually.
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