At this time of year, the Christmas cactus is a natural choice for houseplant lovers. It is known for brightening the winter with its distinctive bright pink flowers from November to January, hence its name.

With proper care, you can ensure that these beloved blooms will return year after year. Even if your Christmas cactus seems perfectly happy, there’s a step that’s often overlooked, but you shouldn’t overlook it if you want to keep your plant healthy.

Learn how and when to properly fertilize a Christmas cactus, with advice straight from a gardening expert.

Do you need to fertilize a Christmas cactus?

When we think about basic houseplant care, watering and pruning are often the most important tasks. Over time, houseplants deplete the nutrients in their soil, which can cause them to look gray or unhealthy. Even a transplant session may not be enough to compensate for the lack of essential nutrients found in the soil such as magnesium, phosphorus or nitrogen. Fortunately, this is a problem that can easily be solved with regular fertilization.

Although Christmas cactus can grow without regular fertilization, providing nutrients during their active growth stages is key to healthier growth and maintaining that vibrant annual bloom we love.

“For the Christmas cactus to bloom and grow vigorously, it’s essential to fertilize the plants regularly,” says Jennifer Cassels, president of The Blissful Place, a luxury outdoor store. “Although they don’t need constant feeding, fertilization supports their nutrient needs, especially during the active growth and flowering phases.”

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How and when to fertilize a Christmas cactus

Cassels suggests using a balanced, 20-20-20 water-soluble fertilizer specifically for houseplants, but diluting to 50% strength to avoid burning the plant.

To use a water-soluble fertilizer, fill the watering can according to label directions, but mix only half the recommended amount of fertilizer. Pour the diluted solution onto the soil around the base of your cactus, making sure the soil is evenly moistened, just as you would for routine watering.

As for timing, Cassels recommends fertilizing monthly from spring to late summer when the cactus is actively growing. Although it may seem counterintuitive, stop feeding after late summer to encourage flower bud development as fall approaches; active fertilization outside the growth phase can actually be harmful to the plant.

Other tips for maintaining your Christmas cactus

Although a desert plant, bright, indirect sunlight and a warm environment (70-80°F) are best for Christmas cacti most of the year. Cassels emphasizes that darkness is actually just as important as adequate light when it comes to bud formation for your Christmas cactus.

To help set buds, she advises moving the plant to a cooler room (about 50-55°F) and placing it where it will have 12-14 hours of continuous darkness at night for 6-8 weeks. After the buds start to form, you can return it to normal lighting and temperature. Once the buds form, you should increase the humidity by placing it on a tray of gravel or placing a humidifier nearby.