SEARCH
MENU
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
Creative & Frugal Home & Garden Ideas

Empress of Dirt

  • Grow
  • Make
  • Ideas

New here?

Dig in!

Start here

How to Grow Christmas Cactus Cuttings

October 20, 2020 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

This post contains affiliate links.
Click here for the full disclosure statement.

TwitterFacebookPinterestEmail
Jump to Instructions

Growing Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) from cuttings is one of the easiest propagation methods. This also works for Thanksgiving and Easter holiday cactus plants. See how to take a section of leaf stem and grow new plants.

For a indoor growing guide, see How to Care For Christmas Cactus Year-Round.

Scissors and a Christmas/Thanksgiving cactus plant.

How to Grow Christmas Cactus From Cuttings

Good news! This is as easy as it gets for plant propagation.

You can use these instructions to take cuttings from Christmas (Schlumbergera x buckleyi), Thanksgiving (Schlumbergera truncata), and Easter (Rhipsalidopsis) cactus plants.

Using the instructions (below), the cutting will grow roots and grow into a new plant.

Schlumbergera cuttings growing roots.

Here are some tips before you start:

  • The part we’re using for propagation is the phylloclade: stems which are comprised of segmented flat leaves. You don’t have to go looking for it: this is all the plant is.
  • For best results, the plant should not currently be producing buds or flowering when you take your cuttings.
  • Your cuttings (stem) can be 1, 2, 3, or 4 segments long. Longer than that and it may topple over in the flower pot while waiting for roots to form.
  • When you take your cutting—don’t cut! Pinch or twist off the stem at a join instead for a good clean break.
  • Slightly warmer than usual temperatures between 71-81°F (21-27°C ) help speed up rooting. 
  • You can put multiple stems in the same pot. Allow an inch of so between them.

Creative Propagation Idea

If you have several Schlumbergera or Rhipsalidopsis plants with different color flowers, consider rooting cuttings from each of them in the same pot. This way, a year later when the plant blooms you will have a multi-colored bunch of flowers all from the same pot. Very pretty!



Propagation Options

I have tried all of these methods and have one clear preference.

  1. Allow to Callus Before Planting | Some gardeners take their stem cutting and set it out to air dry, away from direct light or heat (so it won’t dry out) for a few days. This allows callus to form at the base which can protect the wound from disease.

    Once the callus is formed, the cuttings is planted in potting mix (as described below).
  2. Water Propagation | You can also submerge the wound edge/end of the cutting piece in water where roots will gradually form. Once established, the cuttings is planted in potting mix.

    I find water-propagated roots do not tend to be as capable or strong as soil-generated roots so I’m not a fan of this method. I also think it’s slower, but you can certainly still try it, of course.
  3. Direct Planting | This is my preferred method. Right after taking your cutting(s), plant them in potting mix (see below). Roots will form and the plant will grow. Easy!

    If you have had bad luck with houseplant diseases, you may prefer the Callus-first method.

For more tips see Christmas Cactus Care Tips
and How to Identify Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus Plants.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

Print Instructions Pin It
5 from 1 vote

How to Grow Christmas Cactus From Cuttings

Step by step instructions to take stem cuttings from Schlumbergera or Rhipsalidopsis plants and root them to grow new plants.
Prep Time10 mins
Steps5 mins
Total Time15 mins
Servings: 1 plant
Author: Melissa J. Will
Cost: $5

Supplies & Materials

  • 1 Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving cactus plant

Equipment

Flower pot
Potting Mix for Cacti

Instructions

  • Fill 4 to 6-inch diameter flower pot up to 1-inch below lip of pot with moistened cacti potting mix. Press soil down and top up if needed.
  • Twist off one or more stems from existing plant (not currently in bloom). Each stem cutting can be 1 to 4 segments long.
  • Optional: Allow cuttings to dry for several days until calluses form.
  • Plant broken end of stem in potting mix, approximately one-half to one inch deep. If planting several, place an inch apart.
    Christmas cactus cutting ready for planting.
  • Place in bright, indirect light at room temperature 65-75 °F (18-23 °C) and water as needed.
Want More?Get your Empress of Dirt Creative Newsletter

Next

Does Talking to Plants Really Help Them Grow?
Orchids for Beginners
Red geranium (Pelargonium) flowers indoors.
How to Grow Geraniums Indoors as Houseplants
See More >>
Scissors and a Christmas/Thanksgiving cactus plant.
TwitterFacebookPinterestEmail

FREE NEWSLETTER

EVERY TWO WEEKS

Creative, frugal home and (mostly) garden ideas in your inbox!



Privacy Policy



Listen to Our Garden Podcast

SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST HERE

Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will
a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt
(Ontario, Canada).
Join me as I share creative + frugal home & garden ideas with a dash of humor.
More: Contact/About
New here? Dig in!  |  Our Podcast

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Some articles on this site contain affiliate links to Amazon, Etsy, Earthhero, and more. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Affiliate and Ad Disclosure | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Empress of Dirt Creative + Frugal Home & Garden Ideas

Hello. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic.I Accept Read Privacy Notice
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.