We know it's only July, so it might feel way too early to be thinking about Christmas. But if you've got a Christmas cactus, now is actually one of the most important times of year to care for it. Experts say knowing what to do with a Christmas cactus in summer can make all the difference to how well it blooms later in the year.
Summer is when Christmas cacti quietly do all the hard work. During the active growing season, they produce new stems and store the energy they need to form flower buds in the months ahead, which is why Christmas cactus care is so important. 'While they’re associated with winter displays, Christmas cacti need the right care months in advance to produce plenty of buds,' explains Dr Russell Sharp, founder of Eutrema. 'Feeding during summer helps provide the nutrients needed to support healthy stems and encourage stronger flowering.'
The good news is that the care they need between now and autumn is surprisingly simple, and involves just a few consistent jobs. From feeding at the right time to avoiding too much sunshine, experts recommend following these five steps to ensure your Christmas cactus actually blooms when it's meant to.
What you'll need
A specialist feed, like this Baby Bio Cactus Food, will support healthy summer growth and encourage more flowers later in the year.
If you need to repot your cactus, choose a planter that has drainage holes, like this Ikea pick. It's available in different sizes and it can be used both indoors and outdoors.
This free-draining compost is specially formulated for cacti and succulents, helping to prevent soggy soil and root rot.
1. Check the conditions of your Christmas cactus
The first step is to check the conditions of your Christmas cactus.
'Remove any dead or damaged sections and make sure the plant is growing in a pot with good drainage,' says Dr Sharp. 'These plants don’t like sitting in water, so a container with drainage holes is essential to prevent the roots becoming damaged.'
If it looks healthy, there's no need to repot a Christmas cactus - as Dr Sharp says disturbing the roots during summer can do more harm than good. 'It’s best not to repot unnecessarily in summer, as disturbing the roots can put the plant under stress,' he warns.
2. Find a bright spot, away from direct sunlight
'Many plant parents assume that cacti need full sunlight, but the Christmas cactus actually thrives best in bright but indirect sunlight,' says Angharad James, brand manager at Baby Bio.
It's also worth being mindful that light levels can be stronger in summer, sometimes leaving a Christmas cactus looking droopy and stressed. Richard Barker, horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture suggests placing it in a bright room with filtered light, or at least a few feet away from a sunny window.
'Too little light or keeping the plant in a dark room can slow growth, whereas afternoon sun can scorch the flattened stems,' warns Richard. 'If you are keeping the plant on a south-facing windowsill, move it back from the glass slightly or use a sheer curtain to shield it during the hottest part of the day.'
During summer, you can also move it outdoors to a sheltered spot, says Dr Sharp. 'However, you should avoid placing it somewhere exposed to strong sun, heavy rain or sudden temperature changes,' he says.
3. Water only when the top layer of compost feels dry
Unlike desert cacti, Christmas cacti appreciate regular moisture while they're actively growing, but overwatering is one of the most common Christmas cactus problems.
Richard points out that warmer temperatures in summer can mean that they need to be watered more regularly, particularly if they are growing in a bright spot. 'Before watering, check if the top inch of compost feels dry instead of using a fixed watering schedule,' he recommends.
Once it's ready for a drink, water thoroughly and allow any excess to drain away.
When it comes to how often to water a Christmas cactus, as a general rule Angharad recommends watering once every couple of weeks during the summer, but she says it's more important to check the compost.
'Only water when the top two inches of soil are completely dry, so use your finger or a pencil to test its moisture levels before each water,' she says. 'If it feels dry, aerate the soil to allow for an even distribution and use tepid water, or water from the bottom if your pot has drainage holes.'
4. Feed it with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-4 weeks
Summer is the ideal time to feed your Christmas cactus, as this is when it's producing new stems and storing energy for flowering later in the year.
'You should give your Christmas cactus a balanced liquid fertiliser every two to four weeks,' says Richard. 'However, take care to avoid overfeeding, as this can encourage the plant to produce weak, leggy growth.'
Dr Sharp echoes this, warning that too much fertiliser can encourage lots of leafy growth at the expense of flowers. 'Stop feeding once the plant starts preparing to flower, as continued feeding at this stage can interfere with bud development.'
5. Check regularly for pests
Summer is also an ideal time to check for pests, particularly if you've moved your Christmas cactus outdoors.
Pests are much easier to deal with if you catch them early, 'Try to inspect the stems every week, and check the joints between stem segments as pests can easily hide there,' says Richard.
If you do spot an infestation, deal with it promptly before it spreads. 'Remove the insects immediately and treat widespread problems with neem oil,' adds Richard.
Follow these five steps to caring for your Christmas cactus in summer, and you'll give it the best chance of being rewarded with a colourful display of blooms later this year.
