Shriveled Leaves on Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactus plants need proper care for the leaves to stay healthy and blooms for a holiday bloom. The cactus buds and blooms during December. If the plant is stressed and the leaves shriveling, there may be one or more reasons needing correction to save the plant.

Salt accumulation comes from fertilizers high in sodium or tap water to water the plant. If the soil's surface has a brown, crusty substance, this is salt build up. Remove the crusted dirt layer and replace it with new soil. Only use tap water on plants that has set out for 24 hours, so the chemicals in the water dissipate. This eliminates salt build up from the water. Use a fertilizer without sodium or with low-sodium content.

Root loss causes Christmas cactus leaves to shrivel and eventually die. Plants that are overwatered or grown in poorly draining soil develop root loss. The best soil for a Christmas cactus is a commercial cactus potting soil, or one part vermiculite and two parts potting soil. Good drainage is vital to keeping the Christmas cactus roots healthy and the leaves from shriveling.

Plants need watering when the soil is dry 1 inch deep in the container. Water the plant if when you stick your finger in the soil, it is dry. If the soil is damp, wait a few days and test the soil again. If the soil is allowed to dry out excessively between waterings, the soil becomes, hard and cracked. The soil pulls away from the container's sides. When you water the plant with hard and cracked soil, the water runs down the cracks or the sides of the container and doesn't provide water to the rest of the soil. Leaves start shriveling from lack of water.

A sunny location promotes Christmas cactus blooming. If the plants are grown in a sunny location without some shade during the day, the leaves begin wilting or appear shriveled. Plants do well with six hours of direct sunlight a day and shade for the rest of the day.