How to repot a Christmas cactus

How to repot a Christmas cactus

1. 01

   When to repot

   Repot when the holiday cactus is root-filled or has fully outgrown its pot, not merely because a calendar reminder says so. A slightly pot-bound plant can flower well.

   Repot at the end of March, after the main flowering period, when the plant can resume growth without disturbing developing buds.

2. 02

   Choosing the next pot

   Choose a pot only slightly larger than the current root ball and keep the plant snug. A much larger wet volume works against the group’s modest root-space preference.

3. 03

   How to repot

   Use standard cactus mix or a peat-free loam-based potting mix (such as John Innes No. 2) with leaf mold and grit, loosen the root ball without unnecessary root reduction, and set segmented stems at the same depth.

4. 04

   After repotting

   Return the plant to a bright, dappled indoor position and its normal holiday-cactus watering rhythm, allowing the container to drain rather than leaving it in standing water.