When a Christmas cactus is in full bloom, it’s a total showstopper. It’s no surprise that many of us want more than just one of these beauties brightening up our living rooms during the holidays. The good news? You don’t have to keep buying them—you can easily propagate them yourself!
Is it easy to propagate a Christmas cactus?
The Christmas cactus (botanically known as *Schlumbergera*) is actually one of the easiest plants to propagate. All you need are a few cuttings. You can even use the trimmings if you’ve recently given your plant a little “haircut” because it was getting too big.
The only thing to keep in mind is that since this is vegetative propagation, your new plants will be clones of the parent. That means they’ll all bloom in the exact same color.
How do I get the perfect cuttings?
The best time to start new plants is in the spring or early summer. Instead of cutting the stems with scissors, try gently twisting off the top two or three segments of a mature, dark green branch. These “twisted-off” cuttings actually tend to root much better than those cut with a blade.
Stick your cuttings into lightly moist soil just deep enough so they can stand up on their own. For the best results, use a specialized cactus mix—you can even mix in a little expanded clay or perlite for extra aeration. Make sure your pot has great drainage, too! If you want a nice, bushy plant right from the start, tuck two or three cuttings into the same pot.
Keep the soil consistently moist, but be careful. You want to water them gently and sparingly; if the soil is soggy, the cuttings will rot before they can root. If you can, use rainwater. Christmas cacti aren’t big fans of lime or hard water. If rainwater isn’t an option, let your tap water sit out for a day (or boil and cool it) before using.
How long does rooting take?
Place your starter pots in a bright, warm spot, but keep them out of direct sunlight. You should see the first roots forming within three to four weeks—it usually doesn’t take much longer than that. If a cutting hasn’t rooted after several weeks, it’s probably a dud and can be tossed.
Quick Summary:
- Propagation via leaf cuttings is relatively simple.
- Best time: Spring or early summer.
- Twist cuttings off; don’t cut them.
- Ideal cuttings: Mature (dark green), multi-segment pieces.
- Trimmings from pruning also work.
- Plant in moist soil (just deep enough to stand upright).
- Use cactus-specific soil rather than standard potting mix.
- No need to fertilize yet.
- Place in a bright spot, but avoid direct scorching sun.
- Keep soil evenly moist.
- Avoid hard/limy water.
- Rooting happens within a few weeks.
- Plant multiple cuttings together for a fuller look.
Pro Tip: Don’t try to root your cuttings in a glass of water. Christmas cactus segments are very prone to rotting if they sit in water for too long!
