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My Christmas Cactus Is Losing Leaves
My Christmas Cactus Is Losing Leaves. The Christmas cactus --- named for the time of year the plant blooms --- is a hardy plant that can live for generations if properly cared for. If your plant looks unhealthy and starts to lose leaves, it may be due to a few different care reasons. Don't worry; reviving the plant is fairy simple. As long as the...
The Christmas cactus --- named for the time of year the plant blooms --- is a hardy plant that can live for generations if properly cared for. If your plant looks unhealthy and starts to lose leaves, it may be due to a few different care reasons. Don't worry; reviving the plant is fairy simple. As long as the stems are not mushy, your plant still has hope.
Normal Care
Christmas cactus prefers well-draining, loose soil. Keep your cactus in location that receives bright indirect light. Direct sunlight --- especially during the hot months --- may burn the leaves and damage the plant.
Watering Instructions
Inadequate water levels may cause a Christmas cactus to drop leaves. It's best to water the plant with room temperature water until the top inch of soil feels moist but not soggy, and then let the soil dry out. The exact quantity and frequency of watering will depend upon the size of your plant, the amount of light it receives, the type of pot --- clay or plastic --- and if you keep the plant indoors or outdoors.
Avoid overwatering your plant, it may cause root rot, indicated by brown, mushy roots, which may make the plant wilt. Inspect the plant's roots for damage and clip away unhealthy roots. Repot the plant in new moist but not soggy soil.
Stressed Plants
Stressed plants may also drop leaves if not kept in a good location or if not potted correctly. Move the plant away from windows or vents that may expose the plant to hot or cold drafts. Ensure that you repot the plant correctly; don't add to much soil near the root crown or you may disturb the roots. Select a pot only slightly larger than it was before, and use a well-draining potting soil.
Tips
Consider taking some cuttings from the plant --- especially if the plant has sentimental value --- and replant the cuttings in new soil. Use a sterilized blade, set the cutting aside for a few days until the cut end dries up, then set the cutting against the edge of a pot with moist soil. After a few weeks, the cutting will start to root, and it will eventually create a new plant.
