White Christmas Cactus Small / Grower / Varies

White Christmas Cactus Care & Buying Guide

LightHigh

Bright, indirect light. Don't put into direct sun or it will bleach out their foliage.
WaterLow

Water your Christmas cactus when the soil is dry on the top inch. Always consider the environment and time of year. If your Christmas cactus is outdoors in a hot, dry climate, they may require watering every two to three days, since they are from a more tropical environment. If you treat them like an indoor plant where they stay in a cool or humid area, they might require water weekly. In the fall and winter months, decrease watering to stimulate blooming. Use filtered, bottled, or tap water sitting 24 hours to release the chemicals and water enough that the water discharges out of the drainage holes. Once the water is fully drained, replace them into the cache or decorative pot.
HumidityHigh

The plant comes from the tropics and prefers a humid environment. Add them on a pebble tray filled with water but don't let the roots sit in water. Spritz them each day or add a humidifier next to it to maintain higher levels of humidity.
Temperature 50 to 80

The Christmas cactus does best in warm temperatures during the day between 70-80°F and night temperatures from 50-55°F. In the winter months, raise the nighttime temperatures inside to 60-65°F and avoid any drafts or heat vents nearby.
Hardiness Zones9|10|11

The Christmas cactus does best in warm temperatures during the day between 70-80°F and night temperatures from 50-55°F. Bring inside to overwinter before a frost in the fall.
FertilizingEvery two weeks

Water the plant before fertilizing to avoid fertilizer burn. Use a liquid fertilizer bi weekly throughout the spring and summer months, then stop during the fall and winter.
Re-potting3 Years

When receiving the plant, do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months. Repot in the spring, using a 2" bigger pot to keep the roots drier. (Too big of a planter could cause the soil to dry slower, which is not helpful.) Hydrate the plant before repotting. Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow them to drain. Use a succulent and cactus mix to repot when the plant becomes root-bound. This plant prefers a little less room around their roots to promote blooming, so if you skip a year, that's fine. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen. Inspect the roots. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. Ensure the plant is sitting about 1 inch below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over. Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. If settling occurs, add more soil. Water well to dampen the soil and let it drain.
CleaningAs needed

Prune yearly if needed to tame unruly branches. Cut between two leaf segments. You can trim the entire plant down by a third each year if needed.
PropagationCuttings

Take the cuttings from pruning and let the cut ends heal for a few days to callus over. Leave them laid out on a paper towel. Afterward, place cut side down into succulent and cactus soil. Keep the soil lightly moist. Within two weeks, roots will form, and you'll have birthed new plant babies!

White Christmas Cactus: Overview

The White Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii), formerly known as Zygocactus, is a stunning epiphytic succulent, celebrated for its elegant, tubular white blooms that cascade beautifully from segmented stems. As a rare color variety among Christmas Cacti, it brings a unique touch to holiday decor. Unlike true cacti, this species thrives in humid environments, given its rainforest origins in Brazil. Hardy in zones 9-11 it prefers bright, indirect light and has a moderate care level, making it suitable for attentive plant owners. The White Christmas Cactus symbolizes renewal and resilience and is non-toxic to pets, making it a great family-friendly choice. You can also find stunning alternatives, like the vibrant Red Christmas Cactus, the beautiful Pink Christmas Cactus, and other colorful varieties, for a festive and cheerful indoor display.

Christmas Cactus: Benefits

Easy to care for and maintain
As an air-purifying plant, it removes toxins from indoor air
A great gift plant for the holidays
Adds aesthetic appeal with its festive blooms
Pet-friendly and safe for households with animals

White Christmas Cactus Plant Care Guide

White Christmas Cactus is a low-maintenance plant, perfect for beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts. To keep it thriving, follow these essential care guidelines.

Watering & Humidity

Water your Christmas Cactus when the top inch of soil feels dry, allowing excess water to drain. Reduce watering during its dormancy period after blooming. Christmas Cactus enjoys humidity, so mist regularly or place a humidity tray nearby to keep the air moist.

Light & Temperature

Your Christmas Cactus prefers bright, indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while low light may affect blooming. Ideal temperatures range from warm temperatures during the day between 70-80°F and night temperatures from 50-55°F. In the winter months, raise the nighttime temperatures inside to 60-65°F and avoid any drafts or heat vents nearby.

Soil & Repotting

Use a well-draining potting mix, like a blend for succulents or one with added perlite. Repot every 2-3 years or when the plant outgrows its container, preferably in spring. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Feeding & Pruning

Feed every month with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season, but avoid fertilizing during dormancy. Prune lightly after blooming to shape the plant and encourage more growth. Remove any dead or spent flowers to maintain a tidy appearance.

Common Issues, Propagation, & Cleaning

Red leaves often indicate too much direct sunlight or low temperatures. Address this by adjusting light exposure and bringing the plant indoors if it gets too cold. To propagate, take healthy stem cuttings and root them in moist soil, keeping them in a warm, humid environment to encourage growth. Clean the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust, ensuring the plant can photosynthesize efficiently.

White Christmas Cactus Plant: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants

The White Christmas Cactus is a stunning addition to your holiday decor and thrives beautifully in various environments. Here are some of the best placement ideas and suitable uses for this festive plant.

Best Locations & Uses

A perfect holiday plant, bringing cheer with its rare, elegant blooms
Suitable for novice plant enthusiasts, as it requires minimal care
Relatively drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for busy individuals
Ideal for brightly lit places like windowsills or sunlit shelves
A fantastic holiday gift, especially for pet owners, as it’s safe for furry friends.

Companion Plants

Pair your White Flower Christmas Cactus with mini succulents or the below complementary plants for a vibrant and festive display:

Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree (Ficus lyrata): The vibrant green, large leaves of the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree add a dramatic touch and create an eye-catching contrast with the delicate cactus blooms.
Janet Craig Dragon Plant (Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig'): A sleek, low-maintenance plant, the Janet Craig Dragon Plant complements the Christmas Cactus with its upright, glossy green foliage.
Rosemary Christmas Tree (Rosmarinus officinalis): A fragrant, decorative herb shaped like a mini holiday tree, the Rosemary Christmas Tree is perfect for adding a festive and aromatic element to your plant display.

Alternative Plants

If you're looking for alternative plants similar to the White Christmas Cactus plant, consider these options available on Lively Root:

Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia): A striking, pet-friendly plan with long, wavy leaves featuring dark green patterns, the Rattlesnake Plant is ideal for adding a touch of tropical flair to your home.
Evita Vriesea Bromeliad ('Evita' Vriesea splendens): A vibrant, pet-safe bromeliad with eye-catching red or orange flower spikes, Evita is perfect for brightening up any space and easy to care for with minimal watering needs.
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): The Jade Plant is a pet-friendly, low-maintenance succulent with thick, glossy leaves that bring a touch of greenery to any space.

Get a White Christmas Cactus for Sale From Lively Root

Bring the festive beauty of a Christmas Cactus with white flowers into your home this holiday season! Order yours today from Lively Root and enjoy its vibrant blooms for years to come.

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White Christmas Cactus

White Christmas Cactus Care & Buying Guide

LightHigh

WaterLow

HumidityHigh

Temperature 50 to 80

Hardiness Zones9|10|11

FertilizingEvery two weeks

Re-potting3 Years

CleaningAs needed

PropagationCuttings