Decoding Limp Leaves on Your Christmas Cactus: Understand the Cause
The Christmas cactus comes from the rainforests, where it receives little nutrients, does not get too much sun and is damp but not wet. If its requirements in terms of location and care are not met, it lets its leaves droop. This article aims to help prevent the leaves on your Christmas cactus from becoming limp.
Contents
Causes of Limp Leaves on the Christmas Cactus
If the Christmas cactus lets its leaves hang limp or if they become wrinkled, many gardening enthusiasts think that the cactus has not been adequately watered. The opposite is true.
Read also:
Leaves falling off Christmas cactus? Here’s why
How much light does a Christmas cactus need?
How much water does a Christmas cactus need?
Drooping or limp leaves are caused by excessive moisture in the root balls or even waterlogging. Irrigation is therefore not the solution to prevent limp.
You should repot a Christmas cactus with limp leaves. Take it out of the old pot and rinse off the old substrate as completely as possible. Then plant it in fresh, dry cactus soil.
Watering Christmas cactus the Right Way
The Christmas cactus appreciates high humidity, but does not tolerate waterlogging. To prevent its leaves from becoming limp, you must ensure that the root ball remains dry. So water it sparingly. Usually a small sip of water per week is sufficient. Under no circumstances should water remain in the saucer or planter.
Make sure that the substrate is nice and loose and create drainage in the bottom of the pot. To increase the humidity, spray it occasionally with water that is low in lime or, even better, with rainwater.
A Good Location for the Christmas Cactus
- Bright
- Not too sunny
- Protected from drafts
- Sufficiently high humidity
As soon as the flowers have formed in autumn, make sure that the Christmas cactus no longer receives any light in the evening. If possible, you shouldn’t move the cactus any more, because the flowers align themselves with the light and simply fall off if they are turned too often.
Pro Tip:
If the Christmas cactus does not bloom, it is because it has not been able to rest after the blooming period. You should put it in a cooler place for three months — preferably outside. You can also stimulate flowering by keeping it very dark for six weeks with little watering.
