Let’s Grow Some Christmas Cactus!
Hey plant lovers! Want to easily multiply your gorgeous Christmas Cactus (or Thanksgiving Cactus – we’ll chat about that!)? You’re in the right place! Rooting these beauties from cuttings is seriously SO easy. Trust me, even if you’re a total newbie to plant propagation, you can do this. In fact, sometimes little pieces even fall off my cactus and root themselves – talk about low-maintenance!
Ready to get started?
(Psst! Want to know if you have a Christmas or Thanksgiving Cactus? I’ve got a whole article dedicated to telling them apart! [CLICK HERE])
Alright, here’s what we’ll be covering today:
- Picking the Perfect Piece: How to choose the best part of your Christmas Cactus to turn into a brand new plant.
- Snip, Snip, Hooray! The easiest way to take cuttings for successful rooting.
- Your Rooting Headquarters: What kind of container works best.
- Water Works: The magic of propagating Christmas Cactus in water.
- Prime Real Estate: Finding just the right spot for your cutting to flourish.
- From Water to Wonderland: How to plant your rooted cutting for long-term happiness!
Quick note: I’ll be saying “Christmas Cactus” a lot, but remember you can use these same steps for Thanksgiving Cactus too! They are very similar!
Choosing Your Cutting: A Spa Day for Your Cactus
I have this absolutely STUNNING salmon-colored beauty (Christmas Cactus!) and I would love to see it even fuller in its pot! So, I am going to propagate it and it will bush out more quickly. This involves taking piece from the current plant, rooting it and placing it back in the container with the original cactus.
Another great time to take cuttings? When it’s pruning time! I wrote about how to prune it and why is important, so please read it if you haven’t already! This type of “haircut” will also encourage your Christmas Cactus to produce even more shoots!
Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and buy something, I get a tiny commission. It helps me keep creating great plant content for you! Thank you!
Okay, this beauty is still working on fully opening, but I will be sure to share an updated image here once it does! Here is the updated photo:
To get started, find a place on your plant where you can take a nice healthy piece – about 3 to 4 inches long, with 3 or 4 leaf segments.
Here’s a little insider tip: you can actually root cuttings with just one or two leaf segments, but I personally find that 3 or 4 are easier to handle.
Also, you may have heard you shouldn’t take cuttings with buds or flowers on them. While it is preferable, I can tell you from experience of clumsy plant moving, that they will still root and blossom! If I am making cuttings intentionally, I will take the buds and blossoms off first.
See how this section is sticking out awkwardly? Perfect for a cutting!
Taking the Plunge: How to Take Your Christmas Cactus Cuttings
Sometimes a gentle twist at the junction is all it takes to snap off a cutting! Other times, I use my thumbnail to give it a little help. Don’t be afraid to get in there!
Check out the video below! It really shows you exactly how I do it. I also talk about why cutting at a “Y” is ideal, but honestly, it works either way!
[Insert Video Here!]
Some people let the cut end dry out for a few days, but I don’t usually bother. If it makes you feel better, go for it!
Now, you’ll hear a lot of folks say to stick them straight into potting soil. That just hasn’t worked as well for me, and I want you to succeed!
Fun Fact: My friend and I did a little experiment using water and soil and guess what? Not only did water rooted cuttings grow faster, but ALL of those attempts were successful! Half of the soil-rooted cuttings rotted.
Setting the Stage: Propagating Your Christmas Cactus in Water
Okay, find a cute little glass jar. I’m using a recycled salad dressing jar that I used for glass painting. Recycled is chic, right?! Put a few stones in the bottom – about 2 inches deep.
You can also add a layer of perlite after putting the stones in.
Before I add water or cuttings, I write the color of the flowers on the side of one of the segments, so I don’t get them mixed up!
Now, place the cut end of the cactus ON the stones and perlite with the cut side down!
The water should barely reach the top of the stones and perlite. Your cutting is just slightly touching the water, resting on the stones.
I’ve also had great success with just placing the cutting in a jar with a little water (like a quarter of an inch).
As the water evaporates, carefully add more! You are looking for some great root growth!
Location, Location, Location: Where to Keep Your Rooting Station
Place your jar somewhere you’ll easily see it so you can keep an eye on the water level – I use windowsill so I remember.
The sweet spot temperature-wise is between 70 and 80 degrees, and they love bright, indirect light. Direct sun is a no-no!
The humidity in the jar is enough to let it root without worry! This one has roots, check this out:
Moving On Up: Planting Your Rooted Cutting
Once you have some nice roots, it’s time to plant! You can either pop it into the same pot as the original plant (to make things fuller) or give it its very own home.
Related: [Potting up Christmas Cuttings that have rooted – insert link to post here]
I’m a big fan of cactus mix potting soil, but regular potting soil with a little perlite or horticultural sand works well too!
And that’s it! Seriously. It’s super quick, and I do it all year round, although it tends to go even faster during the active growing season (spring and summer).
[Insert Christmas Cactus cuttings video here]
I hope you can use these tips to propagate your Christmas and Thanksgiving bloomers!
(Want more tips and tricks for growing healthy, blooming Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti? [CLICK HERE!])
Christmas Cactus Cuttings: Quick Guide
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy peasy!
Materials:
- Christmas or Thanksgiving Cactus Plant
- Small Jar
- Stones or Gravel
- Perlite (optional)
Instructions:
- Place stones in the jar, then add perlite (if using) on top of the stones. Fill with water to your stones/perlite is covered.
- Pinch off sections of leaves – I recommend 1-4. Be extra careful to get a nub on the end of the cutting!
- (Optional) Let leaf segments dry by letting it sit in bright, indirect sunlight for a few days.
- Place the cut end of the Christmas/Thanksgiving Cactus on top of the perlite.
- Keep in a bright and warm area – I prefer between 65 and 75 degrees. The cutting should root in about 3 to 4 weeks. Keep the jar in a spot where it is visible and keep track of the water evaporating. The humidity alone in the jar will let it root without worrying about it rotting.
- Add water in as needed and once the cutting roots…
- Plant your rooted into another pot or back in with the original plant!
If you want to plant the cuttings straight into the soil, make sure the soil is moist. Be very careful – its best to keep your soil at a half an inch.
Grab Your Tools!
[Sunflower Garden Planner image here]
So many pages to write down your garden ideas! There is a seed starting record, a square foot gardening page and more!
[Download your FREE printable checklist here! – Christmas Cactus Cuttings Checklist]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will Christmas Cactus Root in Water?
A: Absolutely! This post proves it!
Q: Do Christmas Cactus Grow Fast?
A: It’s all relative! They never really stop growing, and they can get quite big if you give them what they want! Want more details? [Click Here]
Q: Will Christmas Cactus Grow Outside?
A: Depends on where you live! I put mine on a covered porch in the summer as long as the nights stay above 40 degrees. Bring them in when the nights cool down. This can help them bloom too! [Click Here]
Q: Can Christmas Cactus Grow in Low Light?
A: They can, but they won’t bloom as well or grow as fast as they would in bright, indirect light.
Share the love!