You may have seen or received a Christmas cactus as a gift during the festive season. This beautiful plant produces showy, orchid-like flowers in shades of red, pink, white, or purple. But what if you want to enjoy your Christmas cactus all year round? Can you grow Christmas cactus outdoors? Is it possible to create the right environment for this plant in different climates and seasons?
So, to quench your curiosity, we have done some great footwork regarding the facts of growing Christmas cactus outside the house. Today, we will answer these basic questions and share some tips to help you grow and care for your Christmas cactus outdoors.
Let’s dive in!⛪❄️🎄
Contents
Is It Possible to Grow Christmas Cactus Outdoors?
The short answer is yes, you can grow Christmas Cactus outdoors, but only in certain conditions. If you live in a colder zone, you can still grow Christmas cactus outdoors, but only during the summer months. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is not a true cactus, but a succulent, which belongs to the same family as the orchid. Plus, it is a tropical plant that prefers a humid, shady, and cool environment. It cannot tolerate extreme heat, cold, or drought. Therefore, it is not suitable for growing outdoors in most regions of the United States.
However, if you live in a mild climate, such as USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12, you can grow Christmas cactus outdoors year-round. These zones include parts of Florida, California, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
Related Post: Thanksgiving table ideas!; How to take care of a Thanksgiving cactus?
How to Grow a Christmas Cactus Outdoors?
Whether you grow your Christmas cactus outside all year or just during the holidays, remember to follow some simple rules to keep it healthy and beautiful. So, for your convenience, we have jotted down some tips on how to grow a Christmas cactus outdoors. Let’s get started.
- Firstly, you need to choose a well-draining container and soil. We recommend a cheap nursery planter, an orchid basket, or any other container with drainage holes.
- Christmas cactus does not like direct sunlight, which can burn its leaves and cause it to drop its buds. So, the ideal place for your plant is a shady location.
- Apply the same good rule of thumb: Water your plant regularly but not too much. The Christmas cactus needs more water than most cacti but less than most succulents.
- The Christmas cactus does not need much fertilizer, but it can benefit from a light feeding once a month during the spring and summer. To this end, you can use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength.
- Lastly, prune your plant after blooming, but not too much. The Christmas cactus does not need a lot of pruning, but you can lighten the trimming after the flowering season is over.
Also Read: Diy Christmas decoration ideas with house plant!
How to Take Care of a Christmas Cactus?
Besides growing your Christmas cactus outdoors, you also need to take care of it throughout the year. Yes, you heard it right, especially if you want it to bloom during the holidays. Here are some tips on how to take care of a Christmas cactus:
- If you are living in a cold zone, then we recommend you move your plant indoors before the first frost of the season. As Christmas cactus cannot survive freezing temperatures.
- To induce blooming, provide your Christmas cactus plant with long nights and cool temperatures. You can cover your plant with dark cloth or a cardboard box every night and uncover it every morning. Do this for about six to eight weeks until you see the buds forming on the tips of the stems.
- Lastly, keep your plant in a stable environment, to maintain blooming.
Enjoy the beautiful flowers that will last for several weeks, and brighten up your home during the holidays.⛪❄️🎄
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed reading our blog about growing Christmas cactus outdoors. As you know, it is not difficult to grow Christmas cactus outdoors, as long as you provide the right conditions and care. You can also propagate your Christmas cactus easily by taking cuttings and rooting them in soil or water.
If you have any questions about growing Christmas cactus outdoors or related to Christmas cactus care, please feel free to ask them. We would love to hear from you and see your Christmas cactus pictures.
Happy Holiday! 🌵🌸⛪❄️🎄
Hello, I’m Rose Lehman, the content writer of cozynest. I have been a gardener for over 5 years, and I have a certificate in master gardening from the Oregon State University Extension Service. I enjoy writing about all aspects of gardening, from the basics to the advanced, and from the practical to the creative. I also love to explore different types of gardens, cultures, and styles, and share them with our readers. My goal is to inspire and inform our audience, and help them grow their own cozynest.
