If you’ve fallen in love with your Easter cactus and want to fill your home with even more of them, you’re in luck! These plants are actually pretty easy to propagate. Whether you want to try your hand at starting from scratch with seeds or take the faster route with cuttings, I’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know to grow your Easter cactus family!
- ## Propagating Easter Cactus: The Quick Cheat Sheet
- You can grow them from seeds or cuttings.
- Cuttings should be at least 4 inches (10 cm) long.
- High humidity is key for success.
- Make sure each cutting has at least two segments.
- Let cuttings dry out slightly before planting.
- Use a mix of potting soil and sand (2:1 ratio) or a dedicated cactus mix.
- Keep them in a warm, bright spot.
- Keep the soil moist, but definitely avoid soggy feet!
Growing Easter Cactus from Seed
Yes, you can absolutely grow an Easter cactus from seed! However, I usually recommend buying your seeds from a reputable shop. Trying to harvest seeds from your own plant can be a bit of a headache and doesn’t always work out. For the best results, use a specialized cactus seed-starting mix and place your seed tray in a mini-greenhouse. If you don’t have one, no worries—just stretch some clear plastic wrap over the top to create that greenhouse effect. If you keep the soil moist, you should see those little sprouts popping up in about three weeks.
The trick is to keep the humidity high and the temperature around 68°F (20°C). Make sure to “burp” your greenhouse or lift the plastic wrap daily to let in some fresh air. Once your seedlings are about an inch tall, you can start acclimating them to the normal air in your room.
Propagating with Cuttings
If you’re looking for the easiest method, cuttings are the way to go. You’ll want to use a sharp, clean knife—this prevents spreading any plant diseases and ensures a clean cut without crushing the stem. Go ahead and cut a piece that’s about 4 to 6 inches long; ideally, it should have two or three segments. Always pick a healthy-looking stem for your cutting. Pro tip: If a segment accidentally breaks off while you’re moving the plant, don’t throw it away! You can use those as cuttings, too.
Before you put them in dirt, let the cut ends dry out for a day or two until they callouse over. Then, tuck them into your substrate. You can use a store-bought cactus mix or DIY it by mixing two parts potting soil with one part sand. The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged—too much water is a one-way ticket to root rot and mold.
Find a bright, warm spot for your new plant babies. In about four to six weeks, you should start seeing brand-new segments growing. Happy planting!
