Best light for a Christmas cactus

Best light for a Christmas cactus

1. 01

   Best position and light

   Give Schlumbergera bright, indirect or filtered light. These tropical rainforest cacti have flat succulent stem segments, and strong direct sun can scorch them.

   Use an east-facing windowsill or another bright, sheltered indoor position as a starting point. Keep the plant away from hot direct sun, radiators and sudden drafts. A warm, shady outdoor position can work in summer after acclimation, before the plant returns indoors for cold weather.

2. 02

   Seasonal light changes

   In early fall, consistent shorter days and uninterrupted darkness help initiate winter buds. During growth and flowering, return the plant to its normal bright indirect position instead of leaving it in deep shade.

3. 03

   Signs the light may be wrong

   Bleached or scorched segments point to excessive direct light. Failure to set buds can follow artificial light at night or an unsuitable seasonal day-length and temperature pattern. A limp plant needs a separate water and root check.

4. 04

   Limits of this light guide

   This advice covers the Schlumbergera sold in shops, including Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus forms such as S. truncata and S. × buckleyi. Find the right spot by how the plant looks, not by a light-meter number.