Experts explain how often to water a Christmas cactus and a trick to always get it right

Knowing how often to water a Christmas cactus is vital to its well-being. Too much or too little water can have serious consequences on the survival of the plant.

Correctly caring for a Christmas cactus will result in a profusion of blooms that will brighten even the darkest winter day. 

How often to water a Christmas cactus

Overwatering is the cause of the majority of Christmas cactus problems, so knowing how often to water a Christmas cactus is essential.

'Despite being a cactus, the Christmas Cactus will need watering far more than you’d expect. Aim to water your plant every 2 to 3 weeks in the cooler months, and every 1-2 weeks in warmer weather. But keep an eye on its soil, if the top two inches feel dry to touch, then it’s time to treat it to a watering,' says Jo Lambell, founder of Beards & Daisies. 'Native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil, this plant is used to humid, warm temperatures – so don’t be afraid to mist it regularly.'

Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, seconds this: 'we recommend that you should water your Christmas cactus about once every 2 weeks, or when the soil is dry to the touch.'

'One of the tricks to get a Christmas cactus to bloom is to reduce the watering giving them a resting period in late summer,' says experts from the RHS. 'This is not always essential and I would only recommend it to a more experienced grower.'

How to prevent overwatering a Christmas cactus

One of our favourite houseplant ideas, the Christmas cactus is easy to care for, so long as you get the watering schedule right. 

Climate has a massive effect on the frequency with which you should water a Christmas cactus. Even Christmas cacti in different rooms can have different needs.

The best way to prevent overwatering your Christmas cactus is to water based on the feel of the soil rather than the amount of time. To do this, insert a finger a few inches into the soil. If it feels wet or moist, then hold off watering and test again in a few days. If it feels dry, you can water it.

Does a Christmas cactus need humidity?

A favourite living room houseplant idea for Christmas decorating, Christmas cacti rely on high levels of humidity.'As tropical plants, Christmas cacti prefer higher humidity levels, which can be challenging to maintain during the dry winter months,' says Elizabeth Marshall, Buyer at Hillier Garden Centres.  

'Indoor heating systems can make the air quite arid, making it difficult for the plant to thrive. To maintain the right humidity, you can mist your plant regularly or place it on a tray of damp pebbles. For even better results, consider placing your Christmas cactus in a kitchen or bathroom, as these rooms tend to have higher humidity compared to other areas in your home.'

How do you feed a Christmas cactus

Cacti benefit from regular feeding. 'A cacti and succulent feed is perfect for the spring and summer months,' says Evie Brownlee, plant expert at Grow Urban. 

'Further to this, a grower can feed with a high potassium feed when flower buds are forming (in the winter months) to encourage longer-lasting blooms,' adds experts from the RHS. 

FAQs

If you're careful with watering your Christmas cactus it should reward you with vibrant blooms throughout the winter.