Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) is a popular holiday houseplant known for its colorful blooms that emerge just in time for the festive season. However, bud drop is a common issue that can leave growers frustrated when their plants fail to flower properly.
This article will talk about the main reasons why Christmas cactus buds fall off and give you advice on how to get your plant to flower a lot.
Understanding Christmas Cactus Flowering Habits
Before you can figure out why the buds are falling off, it helps to know how the Christmas cactus really flowers.
Christmas cactus is native to the rainforests of Brazil and is naturally adapted to bloom in winter. It is a short-day plant, meaning it flowers in response to longer nights and shorter daylight hours.
As fall approaches, the shorter days cause the plant to start making flower buds. The plant should have had at least 13–14 hours of darkness every night for 6–8 weeks before it sets buds.
Once buds reach 1 inch across, they are less prone to dropping off. The buds start opening into flowers around late November/December as days continue getting shorter.
Common Reasons for Christmas Cactus Bud Drop
With this background in mind, here are the most common factors that can cause buds to fall off Christmas cactus plants:
1. Inconsistent Watering
Christmas cactus prefers evenly moist but not soggy soil. Irregular watering that causes the soil to alternate between very wet and very dry can stress the plant and cause buds to drop.
It’s especially bad to not water the soil enough and let it dry out completely. When the top one to two inches of soil are dry, water deeply.
2. Low Humidity
Native to tropical forests, Christmas cactus thrives in 40-50% humidity. In dry indoor air, especially when the heat is turned on in winter, buds are prone to desiccating and falling off.
Increase humidity around the plant by using a pebble tray, humidifier, or regular misting.
3. Temperature Changes
Christmas cactus does best with daytime temperatures of 65-75°F and around 60°F at night. Sudden temperature fluctuations can shock the plant, causing bud drop.
Keep it away from hot and cold drafts. Move it gradually to avoid abrupt temperature swings.
4. Inadequate Light
Christmas cactus needs bright, indirect light to bloom properly. Too little natural light can prevent bud set entirely.
Place it near an east or west facing window. In fall/winter, make sure it gets uninterrupted darkness for 10-14 hours daily.
5. Nutrient Deficiencies
Soil that is depleted of nutrients due to watering without fertilizing can lead to poor flowering and bud drop.
Repot in fresh potting mix every 2-3 years. Fertilize in spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
6. Overfeeding
Too much fertilizer can make the plant focus energy on leaf and stem growth at the expense of its blooms. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers.
Feed monthly in spring/summer with a balanced fertilizer like 20-20-20, diluted to half strength.
7. Pests
Sucking insects like mealybugs, aphids and scale drain plant sap, which can interfere with flowering.
Check for signs of pests and treat with horticultural oils or insecticidal soap sprays.
8. Diseases
Fungal diseases like botrytis, root rot and leaf spot can cause buds to drop. These are often associated with overly wet soil.
Allow the potting mix to dry adequately between waterings. Discard diseased plants.
What to Do If Buds Keep Falling Off
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Identify and fix any care issues like watering, light, temperature, or pests/diseases.
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Move the plant to its ideal spot for flowering and minimize any disruptions or sudden changes.
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Starting in fall, ensure the plant gets 10-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night.
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Wait until flower buds reach 1 inch diameter before moving or relocating the plant.
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Increase humidity around the plant using pebble trays or humidifiers.
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Avoid repotting or pruning during active growth periods to limit stress.
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Once buds set and start opening, resume normal care. Discard any flowers as they fade.
With proper care focused on its lighting, humidity, and watering needs, your Christmas cactus should reward you with an abundance of colorful holiday blooms year after year. Pay close attention in fall and early winter to prevent frustrating bud drop issues.
Understand Christmas Cactus Flowering Habits
When a Christmas cactus is losing buds, its helpful to gain a better understanding of the needs of the plant and its unique flowering habit.
Christmas cacti are succulents that reside in the deeply vegetated tropical forests of Brazil. They are epiphyte plants that grow on trees and rocks beneath a dense tree canopy, taking moisture and nutrients from their surrounding environment using aerial roots. Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!.
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Species sold throughout the holiday season are often considered “short-day” plants. Making a Christmas cactus bloom requires a long period of darkness before the plant sets buds – at least 13 hours each night for eight weeks. This occurs naturally throughout winter when the day length is much shorter.
Other factors, like temperature and moisture, will also play a role in the plant’s ability to flower. Shop Houseplant Essentials.
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Why are Buds Falling off My Christmas Cactus?
Most Christmas cactus plants are sold straight from greenhouses where they have experienced strictly controlled lighting, moisture, and temperature conditions. Just moving them into your home can cause bud drop, as it is often a response to changes in the environment, but there may be other issues at work as well.
Growers will need to observe affected plants carefully and diagnose bud drop by following a process of elimination. Common culprits of Christmas cactus buds falling off include:
Consistency with Christmas cactus watering is essential to the production of flowers. Regular watering is needed for plants in pots, but the soil needs to be left to dry out completely between waterings.
Rapid or inconsistent changes in the amount of water in the soil can stress plants, which can delay or prevent bud set. Irrigation will be of special importance during periods of active growth and the time leading up to bloom in winter. If you have neglected the plant and suspect underwatering is the issue, give the soil a thorough drench, then leave it to dry out before beginning a new watering regimen.
However, dont overcompensate by overwatering. Too much moisture can lead to root rot, which is one of the leading causes of houseplant death. Overwatered Christmas cactus care involves removing the plant from its pot, allowing it to dry out for a day or two, and then repotting.
In the future, check the soil for moisture every few days, pushing your finger down into the first inch or two. If it feels moist, leave it be; if it feels dry, then water. Always allow the water to drain through fully before returning the pot to its tray or outer container. ( credit: Shutterstock)
Christmas cactus dropping segments, leaves or flower buds. Save your succulent plant
FAQ
What causes cactus buds to fall off?
Lack of Humidity As well as watering, check humidity levels. As tropical plants, Christmas cacti thrive in around 50-60% humidity, which is higher than the average home interior. They will tolerate slightly lower levels than this, but where the air is very dry, this can cause bud drop.
Should I water my Christmas cactus when it has buds?
Water sparingly, keeping the soil barely moist. Once flower buds start forming, you can increase watering.
Why are the buds on my Christmas cactus not opening?
The Christmas cactus will not bloom properly if exposed to artificial light at night in fall. Flowers may also fail to develop if the plant is exposed to temperatures above 70°F. Night temperatures of 60 to 65°F with slightly warmer daytime temperatures are ideal for flower formation.
What does an overwatered Christmas cactus look like?
If you give your Christmas cactus too much water, the stems and leaves will usually be limp and mushy. The leaves and stems may also be yellow or brown.
Why are my Christmas cactus buds falling off?
Cause: Christmas cactus flower are notorious for being overly-sensitive. Your buds might have fallen off because your plant got too dry, stayed too wet, or just moved from one place to another. Care: When your plant is in bud, make sure to keep your watering schedule consistent.
Do Christmas cactus drop their buds?
A lot of people who own Christmas and other holiday cacti complain that their plants never look nice. But a close second is having a Christmas cactus drop all its buds for no apparent reason. Fortunately, by remembering the 3 Ws, dropped buds will be a thing of the past.
Why is my holiday cactus not blooming?
It’s when a holiday cactus sets buds and experiences environmental stressors that cause it to abort all of the buds before they bloom. And let me tell you, it’s infuriating, often eliciting four-letter words. It’s one kind of disappointment to check your holiday cactus each day and not find any buds developing.
Why is my Christmas cactus wilting?
Problems related to soil nutrient levels will generally manifest in the yellowing of foliage or the Christmas cactus wilting. Especially stressed plants will continue to lose vigor over time, progressing to the loss of buds or complete failure to flower. Repotting a Christmas cactus should provide the fresh injection of nutrients the plant needs.
Why do Christmas cacti bud drop?
Before attempting to fix bud drop, it helps to understand what causes it in the first place. There are a few key reasons buds fall off Christmas cacti: Christmas cacti prefer consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Insufficient watering causes stress, leading to bud drop. Yellow, drooping leaves are a sign of underwatering.
Why are my Christmas cactus leaves Droopy?
Cause #1: There are two different reasons why your Christmas cactus’ leaves are limp and droopy. The first reason is if it is currently flowering. Producing flowers takes a lot of energy away from the plant and many people have said that their plants become droopy during and just after flowering.