The Essential Summer Tip That'll Keep Your Christmas Cactus Thriving Year-Round

Is there anything more awe-inspiring than a glorious Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera spp.) in full bloom just in time for the holiday season? While these plants are not true cacti but rather epiphytic succulents, they do have some specific needs to keep them in good shape. Christmas cacti are actually native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil, so they love warmth and humidity, which is why they're most often grown as houseplants. But there's one essential summer tip to embrace if you want to keep your plant thriving year-round, and that is to give it a spell outdoors during the balmy days of the season.

By giving your succulent plenty of warmth and some nice bright light, it will encourage lots of new growth. This can result in more prolific blooms, as these appear on the ends of all those new stem sections. On a side note, you should know how and when to prune your Christmas cactus for more beautiful blooms. For optimum health, your plant will thrive in temperatures of between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It's even better if there's also a decent level of humidity because this is what the plants enjoy in their native habitat.

Once outdoor temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you can safely move your plant outdoors. Make sure you place it in a bright spot, but one that doesn't get too much direct sunlight, so the stems don't get burned. Putting your succulent under some trees that provide dappled shade is ideal, or you can keep your plant on a covered patio, veranda, or porch. As your Christmas cactus will be actively growing during this time, make sure you provide it with enough water as well. You don't want the soil to dry out completely, but you don't want it waterlogged either. This can be easier when your plant is outdoors because you can forego the saucer and just let it drain naturally.

Another thing you can do during this time to encourage new growth is to provide your plant with some fertilizer, but don't overdo it. Ideally, use a balanced houseplant liquid feed and only apply it half-strength around once a month. You can also keep your Christmas cactus nourished with a common kitchen scrap — crushed eggshell powder. Keep in mind that as soon as nighttime temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll need to bring your plant back indoors because it can't tolerate the cold. Now that you know how to give your succulent the best care, you can easily fill your home with free Christmas cacti using a simple propagation technique.